Euro Fasad, Ltd

Hinged ventilated facades are multilayered facing constructions allowing solving two problems at once: optimization of microclimate in a building and improvement of its architectural design. Facade systems consist of several elements: a basis, a bearing frame, a heat-insulation layer, an air gap and a protective (external) screen. Each of them carries out certain functions A basis is a wall to which a facade system is fastened. From the point of view of physicotechnical characteristics, an optimum basis for fixing elements of a facade are dense homogeneous materials — corpulent brick, concrete. Friable, cellular materials, for example, foam concrete and aerated concrete, require selection of special fixing elements. An advantage of hinged facade systems compared to traditional painting or facing is that they do not require thorough preparation of a wall (grinding, smoothing, etc.). On the contrary, the facade will help to hide all defects, to disguise surface imperfections and mechanical damages. Bearing frame is steel or an aluminium construction on which elements of a hinged facade are fixed. A special system of details fastening allows solving a problem of critical height of the reveted surface which arises during fastening «on a solution». In the latter case, the facing is a uniform system in which each bottom element is under pressure of all top elements. If the facing is high, bottom slabs can come off or break up. All elements of hinged façade systems are fixed independently and do not influence next elements — therefore, large slabs can be used safely practically at any height. Heat insulation — a heater layer protects a building against overcooling in a cold season and allows to lower power inputs for heating of internal rooms essentially. The choice of a material for a heat-insulation layer is very important. A heater chosen incorrectly will gradually destroy under influence of constant air stream, adsorb moisture, and block an air gap — the important constructional element of ventilated facades — while settling. In case the temperature condition in a building meets all requirements, a hinged facade may be installed without heat insulation. An air gap — this «non-material» part of a construction is, however, a very important element of ventilated facades, from which they got the name. The air gap of 40-80 mm width is placed between heat insulation and an external facing layer. Due to temperature difference in a building and in the street, pressure difference is formed which, in turn, causes constant vertical current of an air in a gap between layers of facade system. This air stream, operating according to a principle of «vent pipe», removes excessive atmospheric and internal humidity and protects walls of a building from dampness.