When constructing or designing a commercial complex, certain aspects are different from those of a residential house. Architects and builders need to consider several factors such as energy conservation and production and the amount of visual contact. If you are a professional who falls in either of these categories, you might already know that there are several existing facade designs, such as horizontal and vertical.
A facade for a commercial building must provide lateral and vertical resistance to wind and other weather conditions. It should also possess thermal, acoustic, and fire-resisting properties. Additionally, it considers factors such as the type and scale of the complex, local planning requirements, ventilation, degree of sunlight entry, wall to window ratio, shape, number of stories, and visibility. It should give scope for the brand to create an image that resonates with its vision and ideals.
Seven types of facades for your commercial complex
· Steel facade
· Curtain wall facade
· Aluminium composite panel (ACP) facade
· double-skin facade
· Brick slip facade
· Steel and glass facade
· Precast concrete façade
Steel facade
In the Business complexes today, you will come across light steel infill walls. Instead of the conventional blockwork inner leaf structures, builders use them in both steel and concrete framed buildings. They come with the facility to incorporate a gamut of facade system into the infill walls, Light steel infill walls, spanning between the floors or between the beds and edge beam, Panelised systems placed outside the slab edge and attached at discrete locations.
Curtain-wall facade
Curtain walling is a light metallic or glazed cladding system. Builders place it over a solid structural frame. Additionally, if you want to bring in the appearance of more monolithic cladding systems to your building, you can attach a stone veneer or prominent tiled fascia. Factories and manufacturing units produce each of the components required to assemble a curtain wall facade.
Aluminum composite panel
ACP refers to flat panels that comprise a thermoplastic core fixed between two aluminum sheets. Builders use them for facades, mainly because they are lightweight but durable and robust. Not only this, you can even design ACP in a variety of metallic and non-metallic shades and imitation patterns. You have the option to make them resemble wood and marble.
A double skin facade consists typically of two glass skins bifurcated by an intermediate cavity. These are great for reducing energy consumption in any commercial building. Builders mount shading devices in the hole. Sometimes, builders insert walkways in the niche for easy access and cleaning.
Brick slip facade
A slight alteration to the conventional brick facade — brick slip facade comprises of brick slips. Builders mount them over steel supports or composite panels. Since you do not require mortar, the entire structure is lightweights, and the installation process takes lesser time. For example, you can use composite panels, which ensure excellent structural and thermal protection.
Steel and glass facade
Builders use the combination of steel and glass to build facades for multi-storeyed buildings. Generally, vertical steel structures support glass panels. The entire structure sits over the external frame of the building. Usually, builders use stainless steel and hollow steel sections in this kind of facade system.
Precast concrete facade
Precast concrete panels are effective when you have tight construction schedules, as their erection time is pretty quick. The manufacturing process is simple. Workers cast concrete in a reusable mold, followed by curing in a controlled environment. Trucks then transport it to the construction sites, and heavy machinery lifts it into place.