Ventilated Facades — A new approach to ventilated façades
A ventilated façade is a building solution that creates a double-layer system—an inner and an outer layer—through a supporting structure, forming an օդ cavity for ventilation. This design generates a chimney effect, activating air circulation through convection, which improves sound insulation and thermal performance, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.
Given the properties and manufacturing process of 3.5 mm ceramic tiles, they are considered an excellent choice for ventilated façades. These tiles offer corrosion resistance, dimensional stability, and lightweight characteristics, reducing the demands on the supporting structure. They are three times lighter than traditional tiles and can reach larger formats of up to 3.5 meters, minimizing the number of joints. Additionally, they are less prone to fading, provide better impact resistance, and require less maintenance.
What are the components of ventilated facades?
From the inside to the outside, a ventilated façade consists of the support structure (the structural components that sustain the building), the insulation layer (located outside the support), the air cavity (between the insulation and the cladding), the anchoring system (which fixes the cladding to the building), and the cladding itself (the outer surface of the façade).
From the detailed diagram below, we can observe a ventilated façade with concealed fixing clips. However, there are even more efficient and aesthetically pleasing fixing systems available, such as the chemical adhesive solutions introduced at the end of this article.
Why choose low-thickness ceramic tiles for ventilated façades?
Ventilated façades are composed of lightweight modules that are easy to install and replace. Made with Coverlam ceramic tiles, they combine advanced technology with high aesthetic standards, maintaining both their appearance and intrinsic properties throughout their service life.
When exposed to water, Coverlam tiles have a water absorption rate of less than 0.1%, enabling them to resist humidity, rain, and frost. Their fire performance rating ranges from A1 (for 5.6 mm thickness) to A2 s1, d0 (for 3.5 mm thickness). They are non-combustible materials that do not melt under heat or produce flammable particles.
To further enhance performance, a titanium dioxide coating—known as H&C tiles—can be applied. Due to the oxidative properties of titanium dioxide on surface contaminants, the panels gain self-cleaning and antibacterial characteristics. Compared to other coating materials, the titanium dioxide layer enables the tiles to eliminate odors and generate reactive oxygen species when exposed to ultraviolet light, ensuring durability and low maintenance costs.
