Krion™ Lux ventilated façades
19/10/2022
The ventilated façade is a construction system that, year after year, is becoming increasingly accepted among architects and builders. It is an efficient, safe, and sustainable construction system used for the enclosure of buildings.
Thanks to its easy installation, high quality, aesthetic possibilities, reliability, technical performance, and thermal and acoustic insulation advantages, the ventilated façade is a highly efficient construction solution for architecture of the future.
What is a ventilated façade?
As we mentioned, a ventilated façade is a construction system that is the most efficient option for enclosing buildings on the market today. The separation of the cladding with respect to the interior enclosure allows for an insulating layer and permits the free circulation of air through the chamber, with the advantages that this entails in terms of energy savings.
Sustainable architecture and energy savings are the two pillars on which this construction system is based. And, although it might not appear so, it is very easy to install.
To better understand how they work and the science behind these types of façades, we need to note that these systems are usually made up of three parts. Starting from the interior of the building outward, the ventilated façade is constructed in this order:
- Interior enclosure.
- An insulating layer. This essential part for the system to function properly can be made in various ways: incorporated into the interior enclosure, projected, mechanically fixed...
- Cladding material.
The cladding material is attached to the interior enclosure by means of a load-bearing structure. This creates a non-sealed air chamber that allows the interior of the façade to be ventilated at all times, resulting in a healthy space.
Steps to make a ventilated façade
Installing a ventilated façade is very easy, especially if you use an insulating and lightweight material such as Krion. The steps are as follows:
- Build an internal support enclosure, which can be made of different materials, from ceramic brick to concrete.
- Install the insulating layer if it has not been built in to the wall, or if you want to enhance the insulating capacity of the Krion cladding material.
- Install the structure on which the cladding panels will be fixed and then attach the Krion Lux panels that adorn, insulate and provide resistance to the façade.
321 White Ave, Brooklyn, Nueva York
Arqchitecture: ND Architecture and Design
Photo: Imagen Subliminal
Types of ventilated façade
The types of ventilated façades can be divided into the following categories according to the type of materials used for their construction:
- Ventilated compact mineral façades, such as Krion Lux.
- Ventilated extruded ceramic façades.
- Ventilated porcelain stoneware façades.
- Ventilated stone façades.
- Ventilated wooden façades.
- Ventilated metal façades.
- Ventilated composite façades.
Architecture: The Stephen B. Jacobs Group PC
Photo: Imagen Subliminal
Materials for the construction of the ventilated façade
Although many materials can be used to clad ventilated façades, such as ceramics, slate or wood, it is a decision that must not be taken lightly. The material must be high quality, very resistant, and durable, so that the façade can be truly efficient.
The compact mineral Krion® Lux increases the resistance of these façades through its high technical performance and almost zero porosity. It is resistant to fire, humidity, shock and impact, UV rays, stains, and chemicals.
Façades made with Krion® Lux are characterized by sustainability and hygiene. Its properties have made it an ideal material for the construction of the most contemporary architecture.
In their lighter colors, ventilated façades made with Krion® Lux provide greater solar reflectance, with corresponding lower energy costs.
Advantages of ventilated façades
In short, these are some of the most relevant advantages of ventilated façades manufactured with Krion® Lux:
- A longer service life for the façade due to the quality of the materials and the excellent impact resistance of KRION, and the material's surface regeneration capacity.
- Better insulation, both in terms of heat and noise, with the resulting positive impact on health, quality of life, and energy savings.
- Thanks to the ventilation and the non-airtight properties of the system, humidity is eliminated to prevent it from being transferred to the interior of the building.
- These types of façades require low maintenance, especially if a quality cladding like Krion® Lux is chosen.
- The value of the building is higher, as this system is geared towards sustainable and efficient construction, something that undoubtedly increases the value of properties now and into the future.
One of the projects that exemplifies these advantages is the Waterways House building, which has been renovated with a Krion® Lux ventilated façade.
This was one of the projects recognized as the Commercial Project of the Year at the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2019. The structure of this building stands out for its white color and sustainable character. These two qualities were obtained after the installation of the Krion® Lux compact mineral, a lightweight material that resists temperature change, humidity and solar radiation, keeping the appearance of the building envelope like new for a longer period of time, and its high mineral composition improves thermal and acoustic insulation. These are the materials chosen by the architecture firm Smith + Kennedy Architects together with the construction firm John Sisk & Son for this project.
Waterways House, Dublín, Irlanda
Architecture: SMITH + KENNEDY ARCHITECTS
Krion ® Lux allows for external enclosures with different geometries and even with organic shapes and curves that create a dynamic sensation of a moving façade.
The ventilated façade is a safe bet, both today and for the years to come.
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