Articles

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Ventilated Rainscreen Facade: Structure and How It Works

A ventilated rainscreen facade is an external cladding system in which the finishing material is fixed to the wall via a metal substructure, set away from the insulation. A ventilated air gap remains between the insulation and the cladding, through which moisture escapes from the wall and insulation. Cladding options include porcelain stoneware, glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), natural stone, fibre cement and metal panels.The main criterion for choosing a system is that the substructure, insulation and cladding are compatible with each other and meet the fire safety and load requirements for the particular building. Rainscreen facades are used on multi-storey residential buildings, office and public buildings, in refurbishment, and on private houses. All articles on the topic are in the section Ventilated rainscreen facades.

28.10.2026

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Rainscreen Substructures: Aluminium, Galvanised and Stainless Steel

A rainscreen substructure is a metal framework fixed to the load-bearing wall that holds the cladding away from the insulation, forming the ventilated gap. It consists of brackets, rails, anchors and cladding fixings and is made of aluminium alloys, coated galvanised steel or stainless steel.The main selection criterion is calculation: the substructure must carry the weight of the cladding and the wind load of the particular building with a margin, must not corrode in service, and must have confirmed compliance with the requirements for facade systems. The choice depends on the cladding, building height, climate and substrate. All articles on the topic are in the section Ventilated rainscreen facades.

28.10.2026

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Ventilated Rainscreen Facade Clad in GFRC

A GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) ventilated facade is a rainscreen system in which the cladding consists of thin-walled panels and architectural elements made of GFRC, fixed to a metal substructure with an air gap over the insulation. The material is chosen when a facade needs plasticity — cornices, pilasters, window surrounds, rusticated surfaces, large relief panels — while the cladding must remain non-combustible and relatively light.The key selection criterion is not the panel itself but the combination of panel, cast-in fixings and substructure, engineered for a specific building. The solution suits residential complexes, hotels, public and office buildings where the architect works with a classical or neoclassical order or with a sculptural contemporary form.General principles of rainscreen systems are covered in the Ventilated rainscreen facades section; this article focuses on what sets GFRC apart.

28.10.2026

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Natural Stone Ventilated Facade

A natural stone ventilated facade is a rainscreen system in which stone slabs are fixed to a metal substructure with clips or anchors, leaving an air gap between the cladding and the insulation. The stone is not bonded to the wall, so it is unaffected by the wall's moisture and movement, and the wall works with insulation on the outside.The key selection criterion is the stone type and slab thickness for a specific fixing detail: not every stone that looks good indoors will withstand wind, frost and point loads on its edge. This solution is chosen for buildings with a long life cycle — premium residential buildings, public and office buildings where the texture of real stone matters.The general logic of rainscreen systems is covered in the Ventilated rainscreen facades section.

28.10.2026

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Porcelain Stoneware Ventilated Facade

Porcelain stoneware cladding in a ventilated rainscreen facade means fixing porcelain slabs to a metal substructure with an air cavity in front of the insulation. Porcelain stoneware is dense fired ceramic with very low water absorption, so it withstands frost and rain, and a flat slab of standard format makes installation predictable.The main selection criterion is the combination of format, slab thickness and fixing method: it determines the look of the facade and the weight and cost of the substructure. Porcelain stoneware is chosen for residential complexes, office and public buildings that need a flat, maintainable facade without complex modelling, and for plinths and individual surfaces combined with GFRC or stone.General principles of rainscreen systems are covered in Ventilated rainscreen facades.

27.10.2026

Ventilated rainscreen facades

Composite Cassette Ventilated Facade: Pros and Limitations

Composite facade cassettes are cladding elements folded from aluminium composite material (ACM): two thin aluminium sheets with a core of polymer or mineral filler. Cassettes are fixed to the ventilated facade substructure on hooks or rivets, form a flat plane with crisp joints and put almost no load on the wall.The key selection criterion is the core type and the confirmed fire hazard class of the system: it determines where composite can be used at all. Composite cassettes are chosen for retail and office buildings, petrol stations, inserts and portals that need light cladding with a bright plain surface, where modelling and stone texture are not required.Composite's place among other claddings is described in the Ventilated rainscreen facades section.

27.10.2026