Articles

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Water Absorption of Facade Materials and Why It Matters

The water absorption of stone is the amount of water a material takes up when saturated, expressed as a percentage of the dry specimen's mass. The indicator is directly related to porosity and determines how vulnerable stone or concrete on a facade is to frost, efflorescence, dirt and biological growth.The main selection criterion: the higher the water absorption, the stricter the requirements for frost resistance, zone of use and protection of the material. Dense granite with water absorption of a fraction of a percent can be used on plinths and steps, while porous shell limestone needs sheltered zones and water-repellent treatment.The article is written for architects, designers, technical supervision and clients choosing cladding. Related articles: Facade maintenance, standards and repair.

25.09.2026

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Facade Warranty: What It Covers and How It Is Documented

A warranty on facade works is the contractor's obligation to remedy, at its own expense, defects discovered during the warranty period, provided they did not arise through the client's fault. It covers both the work performed and the materials used, and its duration, conditions and claims procedure are set out in the construction contract.The main things to check when signing a contract: what period is stated, what exactly is covered (installation, materials, substructure, cladding), what operating conditions the client must observe and how a claim is made. If the contract does not state a period, the period set by law applies.The article is written for developers, clients, property managers and technical supervision. Related topics: Facade maintenance, standards and repair.

25.09.2026

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Facade Standards: Key Russian SP Codes and GOST Standards

Facade regulations in Russia are a set of federal laws, codes of practice (SP) and standards (GOST) that set requirements for safety, fire protection, strength and thermal protection of facades, and for how work is carried out and accepted. There is no single 'facade law': the requirements are spread across documents in different fields.For the client and designer, the key is to understand which document covers which issue: fire safety determines the permitted materials and systems, load codes govern fixing calculations, thermal protection determines insulation thickness, and rules for execution of works govern installation and acceptance. The current editions of documents must be checked as of the design date.This article is for architects, designers, technical supervision and general contractors. Related material is in Facade maintenance, codes and repair.

25.09.2026

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Facade Energy Efficiency and Building Heat Loss

Facade energy efficiency is the ability of external walls to retain heat in winter and not overheat in summer with minimal energy spent on heating and cooling. It is determined by the reduced thermal resistance of the wall: the thickness and quality of insulation, the number of thermally conductive elements and the airtightness of the construction.The main criterion when choosing a solution is not maximum insulation thickness but the absence of weak spots: thermal bridges, gaps in the insulation, draughty details. A well-designed ventilated rainscreen facade with continuous insulation and thermal breaks in the fixings noticeably reduces heat loss through the walls.The article is written for developers, designers, owners and property managers. Related topics: Facade maintenance, standards and repair.

24.09.2026

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Thermal Bridges in Ventilated Facades

Thermal bridges in a facade are areas of the building envelope through which heat escapes faster than through the rest of the wall. In a ventilated rainscreen facade the main thermal bridges are the metal substructure brackets, which pass through the insulation layer and connect the cold cladding to the warm wall.The key to a correct solution is to reduce heat flow at fixing points and keep the insulation continuous. To do this, thermal break pads are placed under the brackets, the number of fixing points is optimised, and reveals and junctions are carefully insulated.This article is for designers, technical supervision, installation contractors and clients of rainscreen facades. Related topics are in Facade operation, codes and repair.

24.09.2026

Facade maintenance, standards and repair

Sound Insulation Through the Facade

Facade sound insulation is the ability of the external wall together with its windows to reduce street noise inside the rooms. The main contribution comes from wall mass and window quality: a massive wall insulates well, while a window, a ventilation inlet or a gap at a junction becomes the "weak link" through which most of the sound passes.The main design criterion is the sound insulation of the weakest element of the facade. Thickening the wall is almost useless if the windows are not designed for highway noise. The cladding and insulation of a rainscreen facade add to the effect but do not replace the calculation of windows and junction details.The article is useful for developers of housing and hotels near major roads, designers and owners. Related topics: Facade maintenance, standards and repair.

24.09.2026