What material to choose for a ventilated facade?

Modern ventilated facades.

The decision to choose a material for a ventilated facade is influenced by several factors. The most popular include appearance and price. However, it is also important to consider the potential maintenance of the cladding; the location of the building, e.g., proximity to water, high air pollution; the positioning of the facade panel on the building, whether the facade panel is high or low, horizontal or on the roof, etc.; the dimensions of the facade panels designed for the building, among many others.

Let’s start with the appearance of facade cladding. Ventilated facades can be made from a vast array of different materials.

The most popular include fiber-cement panels such as Equitone – Euronit, Cembrit, Swisspearl; HPL panels such as Trespa, Max Exterior, Krono; wood-veneered HPL panels such as Prodema; natural wood from boards like Siberian larch to exotic woods like merbau, etc.; stone fiber panels like those from Rockpanel; concrete panels like Fibre C or Concreate; ceramic panels like those from Creaton, Argeton, or ceramic facade tiles from Polish producer Nowa Gala; stone panels from the most popular sandstone to exotic-looking facade panels imported from America, China, or Africa; composite panels like those from Alucobond, Stac Bond, etc.; facade blinds, facade meshes, ventilated plaster, and many more.

When considering the visual aspect, the first decision we need to make is whether we want to achieve the effect of a cozy, pleasant yet undeniably modern facade or a rather raw, concrete block. When choosing a cozy facade, the decision usually falls on wood-like facade cladding or wooden cladding. However, if we are interested in the effect of rawness, technical precision, or even cosmic unreality, then fiber-cement, concrete, or composite panels come to the rescue.

Each type of facade panel has its individual characteristics and advantages. It is not possible to determine which ones are better, but you can choose the facade cladding that meets your expectations.

If we are considering wood-like panels, we have the option of HPL panels, Rockpanel panels, or natural wood. Certainly, panel cladding has an advantage over natural wood in that it requires no maintenance.

Wooden and wood-like panel facades. Ventilated facades.

Natural wood, on the other hand, changes color over time or requires impregnation every 3 years or so. Additionally, panel cladding such as Trespa, Max Exterior, Rockpanel can achieve very large dimensions, e.g., 427x213cm, greatly enhancing facade design possibilities (with natural wood, the board size should not exceed about 15x350cm). An intermediate solution is Prodema facade panels. These are HPL panels veneered with natural wood. The panels are impregnated, weather-resistant, UV-resistant, etc. They measure 122x244cm and come in a wide range of colors.

Prodema – facade panels with natural veneer.

As for the prices of facade panels mentioned here, it should be noted that wood-like HPL panels and Rockpanel belong to the cheaper group, while Prodema panels are almost twice as expensive. When it comes to natural wood, the price range is vast, depending on the type of wood, its method of impregnation, the shape of the cut board, etc. Prices can be significantly lower than HPL panels, but they can also be much more expensive than Prodema panels.

Fiber-concrete facade panels.

Another type of cladding we mentioned are concrete facade claddings or those imitating concrete. They are much more austere than wood-like claddings and allow for a completely different building form. The most popular are fiber-cement panels such as Equitone – Euronit and Cembrit. Here, of course, we have several collections to choose from, differing dramatically from each other. Facade panels like Tectiva, Cembonit are most similar in appearance to natural concrete. They do not have a surface sealant but are protected throughout their cross-section. As a result, the external surface has “discolorations” caused by drying concrete, visible “clouds,” and a unique color in each panel. Moreover, the panels do not have a smooth surface but a “scratched” one. This collection is unique and beautiful, but not everyone wants to embrace its individuality.

For those seeking greater uniformity, there are facade panels such as Natura, Pictura, and Zenit. In these collections, the facade panels are absolutely consistent with an identical appearance. They offer a rich color palette ranging from muted grays, anthracites, and whites to very vivid, even bright colors. Another type includes facade panels made from natural concrete, reinforced with dispersed or continuous fibers, such as Fibre C or Concreate. In the case of Concreate concrete panels, we’re talking about thick panels, around 20-30mm, with maximum dimensions of 120x120cm and typical concrete shades, such as grays.

The Fibre C facade panel, on the other hand, is a thin cladding of 8-12mm with dimensions of 120x360cm. The color selection is also larger, including shades of sand, red, and green. Unfortunately, this naturally affects the price of the facade panel. Fiber-cement panels are generally the cheapest solution for ventilated facades (this is due to high competition among manufacturers and the production process, not the quality of the panels, as fiber-cement cladding is very durable and good panels). The price of thick concrete panels is already twice as much, and the price of Fibre C is another doubled increase.

Composite facade panels. Ventilated facades.

For creating extremely innovative and almost otherworldly unusual ventilated facades, composite facade panels like Alucobond, Stac Bond, Reinobond, etc., are ideal. These panels can, of course, be mounted in flat cassettes, but they can also be used to create various unusual shapes and spatial forms bent into arches, etc. Additionally, composite facade panels come in a very rich color palette, from the most popular aluminum colors, through a full range of smooth shades, to metallic, shiny, and chameleon facade panels. Here, too, it is difficult to determine the price of a ventilated facade, as depending on the panel layout, formats, colors, shapes, structure, etc., the price can vary greatly from some of the cheapest ventilated facades to extremely expensive ones.

For ventilated facades that are interesting, unique, or designed for individual clients, it’s worth mentioning the possibilities of HPL panels, such as Trespa or Fundermax. These manufacturers offer panels with metallic gloss, panels with various textures like Rock stone, glossy and smooth like glass (Gloss), completely matte (Matt), or like the Trespa Lumen collection—facade panels in one color but reflecting or absorbing light differently. There are also facade panels with completely custom prints, designed according to your own project.

Changing the character of the facade entirely, we can opt for a stone facade. This brings us closer to tradition and the beautiful classics of construction. Stone such as sandstone or limestone was the most popular and virtually the only ventilated cladding in the 1950s. However, to this day, stone in various forms is very commonly used in residential construction, office buildings, and public utility buildings. It offers enormous possibilities, as we work not only with the type or color of the stone but also with its varied veining and texture. Stone can be processed in various ways, from smooth surfaces to hammered, ribbed, or even cut into custom patterns.

Another aspect that determines the choice of facade cladding can be its placement. For buildings over 25 meters high, most HPL cladding cannot be used in Poland. The exception is Fundermax panels, which have enhanced fire resistance properties. On the other hand, HPL panels are perfect for balcony partitions.

Fiber cement has no height limitations but should not be used on flat surfaces where water and sun will directly affect the panel’s surface. However, there is an exception: Tekstura Euronit facade panels are suitable for roofing claddings based on the so-called double skin principle, where the actual roof beneath the panel protects the building from moisture. Rockpanel panels are an excellent choice for claddings on walls with cassettes, for instance, where heavy panels cannot be used, as Rockpanel is one of the lightest claddings.

Manufacturers of HPL facade cladding, fiber cement, or stone panels do not shy away from buildings located near water or in snowy areas. Houses on water are becoming increasingly popular. For example, the Hotel in Mikołajki with Equitone – Euronit cladding or the La Place restaurant with Trespa panels.

As for the impact of polluted air on facade cladding, it’s worth considering avoiding natural materials or those difficult to protect. In cities, sandstone facades will get dirty much faster than facades made of HPL panels. Moreover, panel facades are easily washable, while stone ones require replacement.

Hotel Mikołajki on Ptasia Wyspa is a unique facility located in the heart of Masuria, on Lake Mikołajskie. The hotel is accessible directly from the lake and has its own marina.

The hotel building was designed by P.K. Studio Projektowe and Fort Polska. The hotel consists of 78 rooms and 25 condo apartments, and also offers a SPA, swimming pool, saunas and baths, two restaurants and three conference rooms.

We have already listed the most important aspects concerning the choice of cladding. Delving into the details, many reasons could be given for choosing one cladding over another. However, this is a very individual topic. It’s worth contacting us for advice or more detailed explanations for specific projects.