image description

CURTAIN-TYPE, REAR-VENTILATED
FACADES

The perfect solution: curtain-type, rear-ventilated teracotta facades

Aesthetics, economic efficiency and sustainability: the combination of these three factors is the basis for the growing success of curtain-type, rear-ventilated terracotta facades. The decisive reason for the technical superiority of these systems is the structural separation of the functions of heat insulation and weather protection.

The ventilated cavity between the ceramic panels and insulating material regulates the building's moisture balance, directing moisture outwards and guaranteeing swift drying of damp exterior walls. The insulating material stays dry and fully functional while the indoor climate is improved. Regardless of the building height and utilisation, mineral insulating materials in heat conduction groups 040 or 035 are usually used for rear-ventilated terracotta facades. As the system permits installation of any thickness of insulation material, the specifications of the Energy Savings Ordinance can also be easily met. The permanently safe connection between ceramic panels and supporting outer wall is ensured by the substructure where sophisticated constructions make for efficient installation and compensate for uneven surfaces on the walls.

In addition, aluminium substructures play a key role when it comes to lightning protection. As an indestructible material, ceramics not only offers optimum protection from rain and snow – panels and special pieces in a contemporary range of colors also characterise the outer appearance of the building and support the architect in realising his ideas. With their great variety of colors, formats and surface textures, the curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade systems offered by AGROB BUCHTAL represent an ideal basis and maximum freedom of design when planning new buildings or renovating existing ones. And those on the lookout for something special will also find what they are looking for here, as individual special productions are one of the company’s strong points.

System: structure and function

Thanks to the air space between the outer facade cladding (ceramics) protecting the building against snow and rain and the insulation (mostly mineral wool), curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade systems improve the indoor climate, save heating costs and conserve natural resources.

image description
  1. Moisture is carried away
  2. Anchoring base
  3. Mineral insulation
  4. Rear ventilation ≥ 2cm
  5. Wall bracket
  6. AGROB BUCHTAL ceramics
  7. Bearing profile

Sustainability and conservation of resources also play an increasingly important role when it comes to planning and designing facades. Ceramic curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade systems are practically unbeatable in this area. As the panels are resistant to frost, light- and color-fast, non-combustible and very impact-proof, they have a practically unlimited useful life. Whether glazed or unglazed, the highly-resistant surface made of fired ceramics makes them resistant to extensive soiling such as graffiti. And the Hytect coating with its self-washing effect also reduces cleaning requirements. When the time comes to demolish the building, all components of the facade cladding – ceramics, mineral wool and the aluminium used for the substructure – can be easily sorted and redirected to the respective material circuits. On the basis of these material properties, ceramic curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade systems are eminently suitable for use in sustainable construction projects aiming for Green Building certificates such as LEED, BREEAM or DGNB – especially considering AGROB BUCHTAL provides the architects with support during the certification process in the form of documents for auditors which are specially designed for this purpose.
 

image description
 

Orchard Hotel, Nottingham, Great Briain / Architect: RHWL Architects / Produkte: KeraTwin®

Variety of design Curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades permit facade design which is independent of the building grid. With a wide selection of materials and sizes and an extensive range of harmoniously co-ordinated colors in various surface finishes, planners and architects have plenty of scope for implementing their ideas. Accordingly, the function and character of the building can be emphasised, attention drawn to significant components or surrounding colors integrated in the design. image description 
Protection a Variety of design gainst heat and cold In combination with mineral insulating materials and an innovative substructure, curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades can achieve any U-value. This ensures good insulation and low heat loss in winter yet good indoor climate conditions in summer. Energy requirements for heating and cooling are reduced. Furthermore, ceramics displays practically no temperature-induced linear expansion – unlike other materials such as metal or composites. image description 
Replacing individual panels In the event of damage or for any other reason, individual or several panels can be easily removed and replaced without any major effort. image description 
Light- and color-fast Fired at high temperatures of over 1,200 °C, environmental factors such as heat, cold and solar radiation (UV light) do not have any lasting effect on surface appearances. Colors remain unchanged even after several decades. image description 
Anti-graffiti Facade ceramics by AGROB BUCHTAL meet the requirements on cleaning according to ReGG III of the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V., whereby the maximum performance class is achieved. This has also been confirmed by an independent test institute. image description 
Sun and visual protection Solar protective equipment mounted on the outside is most effective in reducing the energy input via translucent layers. Rear-ventilation also offsets surface heating. image description 
Less waste on site As the ceramic elements are robust and resistant to weathering factors such as rain and frost, they do not require complex packaging but are secured on standard pallets for delivery to the building site. This accelerates on-site processes and means that little waste is incurred which, in turn, needs to be disposed of. image description 
Sustainability Curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades are suitable for both new buildings and renovations, and permit a lengthy useful life or extend the useful life of existing buildings. The Hytect coating with a self-washing effect supplied by AGROB BUCHTAL ensures a low cleaning effort and improves the quality of air in the vicinity of the building. All components can be easily recycled after de-construction. image description 
Economic feasibility The curtain-type, rear-ventilated facade design protects the components underneath from a wide variety of environmental factors. This results in a long useful life on the part of the entire construction, low susceptibility to damage, comparably low maintenance costs, cost stability during the planning phase, and installation independent of the weather. image description 
Fire safety Fire safety experts rate curtain-type, rearventilated facades as very safe in terms of technical fire safety. Free selection of the system components makes it possible to meet all technical fire safety requirements. As a general rule, the following applies: all components of curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades must be made of non-combustible materials. The DIN 18516-1 and reference to Annex 2.6/11 regulate fire safety for curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades. Detailed information on measures, precautions and rules can also be found in the applicable state construction laws of the 16 German states (LBO), in the general DIN and VDE provisions as well as in the information provided by building supervision. image description 
Resistance to frost Extruded stoneware panels are fired at a firing temperature of approx. 1,260 °C and are extremely resilient. This also includes frost resistance in accordance with DIN ISO 10545-12. In test procedures, the panels are saturated with water before testing for soundness under vacuum after 100 frostthaw cycles. image description 
Earthquake-safe All products are constantly tested at recognised material testing institutes in Germany and abroad. Specific national certificates governing earthquake stability, for example, are available. On request, copies of these certificates and approvals can be made available at any time. image description 
Design loads As a static link, the substructure absorbs all loads and directs them safely into the anchor base. The cladding fastenings secured to the substructure link the system components without technical restraint and transfer all loads. image description 
Lightning protection The system has also proved its worth during thunder and lightning storms. The metal substructures conduct lightning strikes away or can be combined with lightning protection devices. Accordingly, lightning is conducted to earth and also forms an electromagnetic shield protecting the electronics inside the building. image description 
Noise protection Curtain-type, rear-ventilated facades not only reduce thermal loss; they also protect the building interior from noise immissions. Thanks to the great absorption capacity of the mineral insulating materials combined with the extensive external cladding, a sound reduction index can be achieved which is up to 14 dB higher. image description 

Safety first

The terracotta facades offered by AGROB BUCHTAL are not only efficient and inexpensive to install, they also meet even increased requirements on safety in their capacity as sophisticated systems – in both new buildings and renovations.

Terracotta facade elements score particularly well when it comes to meeting fire safety specifications: this external wall cladding corresponds with the highest classification of “non-combustible” and also meets the additional requirements governing smoke production and flaming droplets/ particles as specified by the DIN EN 13501 standard. Even in the case of a fire, no vapours or toxic gases are released. As a building material, facade ceramics is regarded as displaying a recognised and stable performance in terms of its reaction to fire as it does not contain any organic material. When planners or contractors choose non-combustible mineral insulation and consider installing fire barriers, the result is an overall construction offering maximum fire safety. Not that any compromises need to be made in terms of design either: based on its material, ceramics already complies with the “non-combustible” requirement with the result that the extensive range of colors, sizes, surface finishes and ceramic special pieces is available in full for creative solutions with a high degree of individuality and design quality.
 

image description
 

Naabtal-Realschule (secondary school), Nabburg, Germany / Architect: Architekturbüro Schönberger / Products: KeraTwin® / Photo: Atelier Bürger