Rockpanel Teak Vena Mokotów Housing Estate in Warsaw
Vena Mokotów housing estate in Warsaw General contractor: Montostal S.A.
ventilated facades
Our scope of work: preparation of the assembly project of the ventilated façade, comprehensive delivery of materials, assembly
Ventilated facade area – 2,000 m2
The Vena Mokotów housing estate complex, consisting of three separately standing buildings, has a façade made of a combination of Rockpanel ventilated cladding boards in the colours of wood-like Teak and anthracite grey with BSO façade supplements.
The use of wood-like panels works perfectly in residential buildings, such as multi-family buildings. The building gains a cozy character. Wood-like panels mounted on balconies and in the interiors of balcony loggias look very beautiful both when looking at the entire facility, as well as individually when being inside an apartment or standing in a balcony loggia.
Rockwool Rockpanel boards imitating wood were used on this building, because it was necessary to use boards in the same colour in both flammability class B and non-flammable boards in flammability class A in the fire partition zones. The manufacturer Rockwool Rockpanel has such boards in its range.
Rockpanel panels were used on the building façade, in the interiors of the balcony loggias, in the suspensions of the balcony loggias, in the partitions between neighbours, as well as in the trims on the balcony slab.
The company m3ziolek ventilated facades is a leader in the industry of installing ventilated facades that combine aesthetics, functionality and safety. In one of the latest projects, the company m3ziolek ventilated facades used Rockpanel boards from the manufacturer Rockwool, which imitate natural wood, giving the building an elegant and modern look.
Rockpanel boards are made of compressed basalt fibres, which come from a natural, durable and widely available volcanic rock. These boards are highly resistant to fire, moisture, UV radiation and temperature changes. In addition, Rockpanel boards are easy to process and install, and are also recyclable.
In the m3ziolek company’s project of ventilated facades, it was necessary to use boards in the same color in both flammability class B, as well as non-flammable boards in flammability class A in fire partition zones. The manufacturer Rockwool Rockpanel has such boards in its assortment, which allowed to meet the requirements of safety and color uniformity.
Rockpanel panels were used on the building’s facade, in the interiors of the balcony loggias, in the suspensions of the balcony loggias, in the partitions between neighbours, as well as in the trims on the balcony slab. Thanks to this, the building gained a coherent and harmonious appearance, which refers to the natural surroundings. The company m3ziolek ventilated elevations carried out the installation of Rockpanel boards with attention to every detail and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What is flammability class B and A of Rockpanel facade boards?
Flammability class is a designation that indicates the behavior of building materials during a fire. Flammability classes are divided into seven basic categories: A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F. The lower the letter, the more flammable the material.
Flammability class B means that the material ignites with a small flame for 60 seconds and limits its contribution to the fire. Flammability class A means that the material is non-flammable and does not contribute to the development of the fire. Class A is divided into two sub-classes: A1 and A2. Class A1 means that the material does not release heat during combustion, and class A2 means that the material releases a small amount of heat.
Examples of Class B materials are some gypsum board, medium density mineral wool with binder content. Examples of Class A materials are concrete, steel, rock wool, glass wool, gypsum board with high density mineral wool with binder content.
What structure should be used for Rockpanel boards? Rockpanel substructure.
Rockpanel Substructure – how to choose the right structure for facade panels?
Rockpanel boards are a modern and innovative solution for finishing ventilated facades. These boards are made of compressed basalt fibers, which give them high resistance to fire, moisture, UV radiation and temperature changes. In addition, Rockpanel boards are easy to process and install, and are also recyclable. Rockpanel boards are available in many colors, patterns and textures that imitate natural materials such as wood, stone, metal or concrete.
To obtain the best aesthetic and functional effect from Rockpanel boards, attention should be paid to choosing the right substructure to which they will be attached. The substructure is the load-bearing elements that connect the boards to the building structure and create a ventilated air gap between them. The substructure affects the strength, stability and safety of the façade, as well as its appearance and design possibilities.
Rockpanel substructures can be divided into two main categories: wood and aluminium. Each has its advantages and disadvantages that must be taken into account when designing a ventilated façade.
Rockpanel wooden substructure
A wooden subframe is the most commonly used and cheapest option for Rockpanel boards. This subframe consists of wooden battens and battens that are attached to a brick or concrete wall. Wood is a natural, renewable and environmentally friendly material. Wood is also easy to process and adapt to the different shapes and dimensions of Rockpanel boards.
However, the wooden substructure requires appropriate protection against moisture, fungi and insects, which can affect its durability and appearance. Wood is also a flammable material, which can pose a risk to fire safety. Therefore, the wooden substructure must meet certain standards and requirements, such as:
Wooden battens and strips must be made according to the PN-EN 1995-1-1 standard and preserved according to the PN-EN 335 standards.
The wooden structure must be suitably reinforced to prevent deformation.
If the wooden strips or strips are impregnated with wood preservatives, it must be ensured that these elements have been properly prepared before the external cladding is installed.
The wooden battens must be at least 28 x 70 mm at the panel joints and 28 x 45 mm for intermediate supports.
The wooden substructure allows for the creation of an open or closed façade. An open structure means that the joints between the panels are visible and have a width of at least 5 mm. Closed construction means that the joints between the boards are covered by aluminium profiles or Rockpanel strips, which create a seal and drain rainwater. In both cases, a continuous air gap of at least 28 mm must be provided between the boards and the insulation, as well as ventilation gaps of at least 5 mm at the top and bottom of the façade.
Rockpanel aluminum substructure
The aluminium subframe is an alternative option for Rockpanel boards, which provides greater stability, durability and safety than a wooden subframe. This subframe consists of aluminium angles that are attached to a brick or concrete wall. Aluminium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, fire-resistant and recyclable material. Aluminium is also easy to process and adapt to the different shapes and dimensions of Rockpanel boards.
However, the aluminium subframe is more expensive and complicated to install than a wooden subframe. Aluminium is also a heat-conducting material, which can affect the thermal insulation of the façade. Therefore, the aluminium subframe must meet certain standards and requirements, such as:
The aluminium angles must be at least 1.5 mm thick.
The subframe must be made of aluminium alloy AW-6060, AW-6063, AW-6005A or equivalent, compliant with the PN-EN 755-2 standard.
The structure must be suitably protected against thermal bridges and condensation.
The aluminium substructure allows for the creation of an open or closed façade, similarly to a wooden substructure. In addition, the aluminium substructure allows for the use of invisible fastening, which consists of hiding the connecting elements behind the Rockpanel boards. Invisible fastening gives the most elegant and minimalist effect, as there are no visible joints or profiles. However, invisible fastening requires the use of special Rockpanel Premium A2 boards, which are non-flammable and have special cuts on the edges.
The subframe for Rockpanel boards is an important element that affects the appearance and functionality of a ventilated façade. The subframe can be made of wood or aluminum, depending on preferences, budget and design requirements. The subframe can also be open, closed or invisible, depending on the aesthetic and technical effect we want to achieve. Rockpanel boards are adapted to various types of subframes and provide great design and creative possibilities.
