Ventilated facade
What it is, how it works, and why it's the most efficient solution for your building
La ventilated facade It is one of the most efficient and durable construction systems on the market. It is based on an air gap between the insulation and the exterior cladding, allowing for continuous ventilation of the building envelope and improving thermal performance and protection against moisture. This type of system has become established as an advanced architectural solution due to its ability to improve energy efficiency and extend the building's lifespan.
Furthermore, it is a system fully compatible with new construction and renovation, offering a modern aesthetic, a more resistant envelope and a more energy-efficient building.
How does a ventilated façade work?
The system consists of:
- Supporting wall
- Thermal insulation layer
- Ventilated facade fixing system
- Ventilated air chamber
- Exterior coating
The key is the air chamber, which allows the so-called chimney effectCold air enters from the bottom and rises as it warms up, continuously renewing itself. This natural flow better regulates heat exchange, reduces humidity, and prevents condensation.
This technical principle has proven to be one of the most effective methods for improving insulation and avoiding pathologies typical of traditional building envelopes.
What is a ventilated façade?
A ventilated facade is a construction system that allows for the attachment of a non-airtight cladding, separate from the building's outer wall. This separation between the cladding and the wall allows for the installation of an insulating layer and facilitates the free circulation of air through the ventilation cavity. This feature offers numerous advantages, especially in terms of energy savings y improvement of thermal comfort.
Features
SEALING
The cladding acts as a rain barrier, limiting water infiltration to 5% through the joints. In addition, the air chamber prevents dampness and efflorescence, improving the durability of the façade.
SECURITY
As it is a dry (mechanical) or mixed (mechanical and chemical) placement and requires the anchors to be able to mount the façade, it guarantees the safe placement of the coating.
AESTHETICS
Ventilated facades offer a wide variety of aesthetics and customization, allowing you to choose between multiple materials, colors and finishes.
Advantages of ventilated facades
ENERGY SAVING
The air chamber improves thermal insulation, reducing the building's energy consumption.
THERMAL PROTECTION
The coating protects against direct sunlight, cushioning sudden temperature changes and prolonging the life of the internal materials.
FLEXIBLE DESIGN
Compatible with a wide variety of materials such as natural stone, porcelain, high-pressure laminates and fibre cement.
DURABILITY
The cladding panels are placed with perimeter joints that allow the material to expand, preventing cracks or fissures and maintaining its good appearance.
How Does It Work?
IN SUMMER
The sun falls directly on the cladding and not on the enclosure.
It heats the air housed in the chamber, its density decreases and by convection it rises, fresh air taking its place.
IN WINTER
In winter, solar radiation is often insufficient to move air, so the façade accumulates heat, supported by thermal insulation, preventing its escape and generating energy savings.
Maintenance
The CTE in its Basic Document HS Health establishes and recommends:
EVERY 3 YEARS:
- Checking the state of conservation of the coating: possible appearance of cracks, detachments, humidity and stains
- Verification of the state of conservation of singular points, see: corners, coronations, projections, canopies, etc.
EVERY 5 YEARS:
- Verification of the possible existence of cracks and fissures, as well as collapses or other deformations, in the main sheet
EVERY 10 YEARS:
- Verification of the state of cleanliness of the sores or of the ventilation openings of the chamber.
Installation
Ease of placement on site when the elements are installed "dry", by means of mechanical anchors previously calculated to resist the wind load and the gravitational load (the weight of the plate itself), achieving yields of up to 60m2 per couple per day, this It varies depending on the system to be used.
Fixing systems for ventilated facades
Fastening systems are essential to ensure the safety and stability of the cladding. They may include:
- Vertical and horizontal profiles
- Mechanical and chemical anchors
- Visible and hidden solutions
- Systems for large formats
- Anchors designed for ceramic, stone, technical panels, HPL and any type of cladding
Systems for ventilated facades must be calculated based on the type of cladding, wind loads, building height and climatic conditions, ensuring the correct transmission of loads and the durability of the system.
Applications of our ventilated facades
Our ventilated facade systems are designed to adapt to any type of building:
Residential and commercial buildings
Institutional and educational centers
Customized architectural projects
Our solutions
En CELO FaçadesWe offer a wide range of fastening systems that adapt to the specific needs of each project:
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Systems for all types of coatings: natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, high pressure laminates, fiber cement, and more!
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Technical consulting support at every stage of the project.
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Manufacturing of high quality, complying with international standards.
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Management and assembly on site in Catalonia to ensure a perfect installation.
Request your audiovisual personalized!
EAt CELO Façades, we work hand in hand with architects, construction companies and developers to offer tailor-made solutions for ventilated facades.
Contact us to request your personalized quote and discover how we can help you take your project to the next level.
FAQ's
1. How to choose the most suitable system for my ventilated façade project?
En CELO Façades Technology, we design and manufacture systems for ventilated facades tailored to each project. To select the best solution, we analyse the following key factors:
1. Type of cladding material
The type of material and its thickness determine the fixation System most suitable:
- Light cladding (ceramic, fiber cement, composite, etc.): we recommend systems such as SOV.
- Slate and other fragile materials: we use systems such as CER, which avoid machining on the edges.
2. Distance from the cladding to the support
One of the fundamental aspects in ventilated facades is the distance (X axis) between the enclosure and the outer face of the cladding:
- Our fastening systems for ventilated facades allow standard regulations between 6cm and 32cm.
- For distances outside this range, we design specific solutions within our range of systems for ventilated facades.
3. Dimensions, position and placement of the cladding
The design and structure of the ventilated facade depend on:
- Plate size
- Orientation (vertical or horizontal)
- Provision (running joint, locked joint, loose joints, etc.)
For example:
- Un 100x50 cm horizontal section usually requires a system with point staple on vertical profile.
- If Same breakdown is placed vertically, the most suitable system would be with horizontal profile or continuous clamp on vertical profile.
In this way, various combinations between position and placement are created, here we detail the most frequent:
-Horizontal Position + Continuous Joint Placement![]()
-Horizontal Position + Placement to Break Joints
In the Vertical Board:
At the Horizontal Joint:
-Vertical Position + Continuous Joint Placement
-Vertical Position + Placement to Break Joints
In the Vertical Board:
At the Horizontal Joint:
There can also be combinations between horizontal and vertical positions, but they are not usually very common, such as the following:
– 2 courses in Vertical Position + 1 course in Horizontal Position
+Placement of Rompe Joints in the Vertical Joint
Staple Type
Whether our clamp is punctual on a vertical profile or if it is a horizontal profile (continuous clamp) on a vertical profile, we can differentiate between systems with visible clamp or hidden clamp. The use of one or the other will be determined by the type of material (such as in the case of slates that cannot be mechanized) or by a matter of an economic or aesthetic nature.
Support Type
In order to make a budget that is as reliable as possible, we also need to know what type of support or enclosure we are going to anchor our system in, differentiating them into the following groups:
– Concrete (Structure and Enclosure)
– Ceramic (Concrete Structure and Ceramic Enclosure)
– Metallic (Metallic Structure and Ceramic Enclosure)
– Light (Concrete or metal structure and light enclosure, Fiber Cement Panels,…)
- ETC….
Depending on the support and the resulting load of the whole, we will know what type of anchorage we will have to use and also if the chosen System has to be self-supporting with a recessed connection or Articulated the structure and the enclosure, we will have to choose which anchor point we will have what to use, etc... as we will see later.
Board Type
We must also take into account the type and thickness of the joints required by the project, both horizontally and vertically.
As standard our systems maintain a minimum joint of 6/7 mm. horizontally and allow adjustment of the vertical joint ranging from 1mm (recommended min.) to what the project requires.
In any case, our systems allow the joints to be adjusted by means of extra mechanizations in the cladding.
Choice of the profile and corbel suitable for the project
Once the type of System has been defined, depending on the design of the cladding, we must choose the model of the vertical profile and the corbels to use. This choice also depends on the characteristics of the project.
We must distinguish the profiles and corbels of our system according to the following parameters:
-Depending on the LINING
Vertical profile with point clamp
Vertical profile with horizontal profile
-Depending on the type of attachment to the support
Articulated (A)
Articulated wind (AV)
Embedded (E)
Recessed wind (EV)
The different modalities respond to the characteristics of the enclosure.
For example, if the enclosure is load-bearing, we will use the Articulated modality, distributing the loads between each of the corbels. However, when the enclosure is not load-bearing, we will use the Embedded mode to transmit the load directly to the building structure.
The Articulated wind and Embedded wind modalities will help us in both cases to reduce the section of the Vertical Profile against the effect of pressure/suction of the wind on the façade enclosure.
Depending on the modality chosen, we will use articulated, embedded or wind brackets.
-Depending on support
Concrete (Hor) / Ceramic (Cer)
Metallic (Met) / Wood
Depending on the support to which we are going to attach the System, we can differentiate between standard or metal brackets, the latter for Steel structures.
2. What benefits does the ventilated façade provide in relation to the mortared one?
The ventilated facades They offer advantages both techniques , the aesthetics compared to the cushioned facades. Below we detail their main benefits:
Technical benefits of ventilated facades
One of the greatest benefits of them ventilated facades It is its layered composition, which allows each layer to be optimized to improve the efficiency and durability of the system. Its basic structure consists of:
- Enclosure
- Thermal isolation
- Air chamber
- Coating
Optionally, you can add:
5. Acoustic isolation
6. Water repellent insulation
1. Thermal benefit
The thermal efficiency of the ventilated facade It is due to the combination of Thermal insulation (2nd layer) and air chamber (3rd layer):
- During the summer, the heat from the sun warms the exterior cladding, causing chimney effect: Warm air rises and is replaced by cooler air from below, reducing heat transfer into the building.
- In winter, the thermal isolation Minimises heat loss, preventing the cold from outside from cooling the enclosure and optimising the use of heating.
Thanks to this thermal regulation, a ventilated facade can generate a Energy savings of between 30% and 40%, depending on the glass surface of the building.
2. Acoustic benefit
The ventilated facades can incorporate Acoustic to reduce outside noise in two ways:
- Comprehensive acoustic protection: An acoustic blanket is placed between the enclosure and the thermal insulation to absorb vibrations and reduce noise transmission.
- Partial acoustic protection: Specific insulators are applied to the base of the system's fastening elements to minimise the transmission of vibrations to the interior of the building.
3. Water repellent benefit
El water repellent insulation It is usually integrated into the thermal and acoustic insulation, but can be applied independently when the thermal insulation is projected from the inside.
- In these cases, it is recommended to apply a breathable water-repellent paint on the exterior face of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the appearance of condensation.
Aesthetic benefits of ventilated facades
The ventilated facades They stand out for their resistance to problems such as Dampness and efflorescence, frequent in mortared facades.
- As the outer cladding is only in contact with the enclosure through attachment points (anchors), a air chamber which prevents rainwater from accumulating on the façade.
- El chimney effect helps to quickly remove moisture from the coating, reducing the appearance of efflorescences and stains on the facade.
3. How much does the ventilated façade system cost?
The cost of a system of ventilated facade varies depending on multiple factors, which means that each project has a specific price. Among the main aspects that influence the cost are:
🔹 Type of fixing system:
- Direct anchors (ventilated or cushioned).
- System with profiles (vertical and/or horizontal).
🔹 Lining material:
- Stone, ceramic, fiber cement, HPL's, etc.
🔹 Layout of the cladding:
- Horizontal, vertical or combination of both.
🔹 Thickness of the cladding:
- From 5 mm to 5 cm (standard).
🔹 Separation distance (exit):
- Direct anchors: minimum of 4,5 cm.
- Systems with profiles: in between 10cm and 15cm.
🔹 Type of facade:
- Blind facade (without windows) or with multiple interruptions.
🔹 Location and height of the building:
- Exposure to wind, altitude and weather conditions.
Since each project has particular needs, CELO Façades Technology We recommend requesting a custom budget ours commercial department, who will be able to evaluate the specific characteristics and offer the best solution in terms of cost and efficiency.
4. What type of insulation can a ventilated façade have?
One of the main advantages of ventilated facade It is the possibility of incorporating continuous thermal insulation on the outside, protecting structural elements such as floors and pillars. This allows the complete elimination of thermal bridges, improving the energy efficiency of the building.
Essential characteristics of insulation in ventilated facades
- Fire resistance (totally fireproof).
- High thermal performance, reducing energy loss.
- Water repellent resistance option, depending on the project's climate.
Key factors to consider when choosing insulation
- Thickness and density of the material.
- Thermal transmittance and thermal resistance.
- Lambda coefficient (λ), which measures the thermal conductivity of the material.
En CELO Façades TechnologyWe analyze each project in a personalized way, working with specialized manufacturers to select the optimal insulation depending on the climatic conditions and technical requirements of the building.
5. Can there be thermal bridges in a ventilated façade?
Technically, a ventilated facade should not present thermal bridges, since there are means and systems designed to avoid them. One of the main methods for their elimination is the placement of a continuous thermal insulation on the outside of the enclosure and the structure of the building.
However, they may arise trouble spots in specific areas, such as:
- Recercados in doors and windows.
- Coronations and upper finishes.
- Encounters with structural elements.
These cases can be resolved by a proper design of the fixing system and the use of specific solutions, guaranteeing the energy efficiency and proper thermal insulation of the facade. In CELO Façades TechnologyWe analyze each project to minimize any possible thermal bridge and ensure the best thermal performance of the system.
6. Are the pieces of the ventilated facades registrable?
The ventilated facade systems They are not specifically designed to be registrable, except in cases where a specific technical study that allows it.
However, these systems do offer the possibility of placing the last pieces of cladding mechanically once the scaffolding is dismantled. This is especially useful in situations where some structural elements, such as the scaffolding braces, prevent their installation in the initial assembly phase.
For projects requiring accessibility or specific check-ins, it is possible to design solutions adapted to the needs of the building.
7. How do you repair a broken part in a ventilated façade?
If a piece of the cladding of a ventilated facade breaks, the repair procedure consists of completely remove the damaged plate and replace it using the same original installation method.
8. What is the recommended thickness of cladding for a ventilated façade?
El thickness of the cladding in a ventilated facade varies according to the type of coating used. Each material has a specific fixing system, designed to adapt to its mechanical and structural characteristics.
Typical thicknesses depending on the type of coating
- Stone (granite, marble, limestone, etc.): Between 20 mm and 40 mm.
- Ceramics: Between 8 mm and 15 mm.
- Fibre cement: Between 8 mm and 12 mm.
- HPL (high pressure laminate): Between 6 mm and 10 mm.
Each project requires a specific analysis, considering factors such as the building height, wind loads and weather conditions, to ensure the safety and durability of the system. In CELO Façades TechnologyWe study each case to recommend the optimal thickness depending on the material selected and the most suitable fixing system.
9. Does a ventilated façade require maintenance?
The maintenance of a ventilated façade is minimum, but proper supervision during installation and general cleaning before dismantling the scaffolding is essential.
The Technical Building Code (CTE), in its Basic Document HS Health, establishes the following maintenance recommendations:
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Every 3 years:
- Inspection of the state of conservation of the coating (Possible cracks, detachments, humidity or stains).
- Review of singular points (corners, crowns, overhangs, canopies, etc.).
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Every 5 years:
- Evaluation of possible cracks, fissures, collapses or deformations in the main sheet of the enclosure.
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Every 10 years:
- Checking the cleanliness of the chamber's sores or ventilation openings.
By following these maintenance guidelines, you can ensure the durability, safety and efficiency of the system ventilated facade, maintaining its structural and aesthetic properties over time.




