Choosing Facade Materials for the Regional Climate

A facade in a southern region must withstand strong heat and ultraviolet radiation, large daily temperature swings, downpours and wind, and on the coast salt aerosols as well. In central Russia, frost resistance under frequent freeze-thaw cycles comes first; in the north, prolonged frost, snow loads and thermal protection.

The main selection criterion is not abstract 'strength' but the resistance of the material and details to the specific climatic conditions of the site. Mineral materials — natural stone, glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), porcelain stoneware — are broadly suitable for all zones, but with different requirements for rock type, mix design, fixing and protection.

This article is for architects and developers designing buildings in different regions. Related topics are in the section Facade Design and Selection.

Climatic loads on a facade are best divided into groups. Each requires its own check of the material and structure:

Facades in hot climates are often underestimated: in summer, dark cladding on the south side can heat up far above the air temperature and then cool quickly at night. It is these swings, not the absolute temperature, that load the fixings and joints.

Southern Russia and the North Caucasus mean hot summers and intense sun; in the foothills and on the coast, strong winds and downpours; and in a number of areas, elevated seismicity. Winters are mild, but freeze-thaw transitions occur, and in mountain areas severe frost is possible.

What to consider when choosing materials:

• Colour lightfastness: integral pigments in GFRC and the natural colour of stone resist fading better than many painted surfaces; light tones heat up less.

• Thermal gaps between cladding elements and movable fixings.

• Salt environment on the Caspian and Black Sea coasts: corrosion-resistant substructure and fixings, stone resistant to efflorescence.

• Seismicity: the cladding and its fixings are designed for seismic loads; lightweight materials reduce inertial forces.

• Fire safety: non-combustible cladding on high-rise buildings.

GFRC is in demand in this region: it is lightweight, non-combustible (NG class, according to the manufacturer) and allows decoration in keeping with the local architectural tradition. Most TECHNOFORMA Group projects are located here — in Dagestan, Chechnya, Karachay-Cherkessia and Stavropol Krai.

Central Russia has moderately cold winters with frequent thaws, a large number of freeze-thaw cycles per season, de-icing chemicals near pavements and wet snow. The most vulnerable zone of the facade is the plinth and lower floors, which receive water with snow and de-icing salts.

• Frost resistance of the cladding is the key property; for stone it depends on the rock type and quarry, for GFRC on the mix design and admixtures.

• Water absorption: the lower it is, the lower the risk of damage when water freezes in the pores.

• Plinth: dense stones — granite, basalt, dense limestone — or cladding designed for contact with de-icing chemicals.

• Water shedding: sills, cornices with drip edges, no horizontal ledges where snow can accumulate.

A ventilated rainscreen facade works well in this climate: the ventilated cavity removes moisture from the insulation, and the cladding protects the wall from direct wetting.

The north and Siberia have long, severe frosts, heavy snow loads, strong winds and a short construction season. Facade requirements here are stricter:

• High frost resistance of the cladding, confirmed by tests for the specific batch or mix design.

• Insulation thickness per thermal calculation — usually greater than in central regions, which increases bracket projection.

• Fixings designed for thermal movement of the substructure with a large winter–summer temperature range.

• Snow and ice: cornices and projecting decoration are designed so that snow does not accumulate on them and icicles do not form above pavements.

• Ease of installation in a short season: factory-finished elements, a minimum of wet processes on site.

Work schedules on northern projects should allow for the season: some operations — sealing, painting — are limited by temperature.

In summary, the material recommendations look like this. Properties depend on the specific product, mix design or quarry; exact values are in the product passport and test report.

The final choice is made for the specific project, taking into account building use and height, fire safety requirements, seismicity and budget. According to TECHNOFORMA Group, the frost resistance of its GFRC is high and is improved with admixtures.

TECHNOFORMA Group knows the climate of the south and the Caucasus from its own projects. The Dominanta residential complex in Makhachkala on the Caspian Sea — 4 buildings of 18 storeys, 14,000 m² of GFRC and 13,000 m² of porcelain stoneware, design and installation, 11.2022–10.2024.

The Dinastiya club house in Kislovodsk — a foothill resort with a different climate from the coast: 6,000 m² of GFRC, 700 m² of porcelain stoneware and 700 m² of granite, 01.2024–06.2025. Other projects are in the section TECHNOFORMA projects. More on regional specifics in the article Facades in the Caucasus: Materials and Style.