More than just clading

Ventilated façades have become one of the building envelopes of choice today for architects and specifiers. Not only is it flexible, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing, the installation of ventilated façades can lead to greater energy efficiency.

Leading the world in ventilated façade technology, Hunter Douglas’ flagship QuadroClad Façade System was developed more than two decades ago from technology borrowed from the aerospace industry. Today, the group’s key focus is on sustainability - achieved through its concentration on three themes: design, functionality and comfort.

Ventilated façade technology

Ventilated façade technology utilises an open-jointed cladding system that is designed to work with nature. The open joints - which are effectively gaps between the cladding panels and other integrated façade elements - provide channels for ventilation as well as allow rain water and condensation to be drained off behind the cladding surface.

One of the advantages is that ventilated façades provide reliable heat protection. Air is drawn in at the floor level and at the open joints, and travels up. The building structure will not be directly heated by the sun, instead the cavity will be warmed, allowing any excess heat to escape upwards.

The façades also contribute towards enhancing a building’s thermal performance. Firstly, the ventilated façade panels provide a (small) benefit to the U-Value of the wall behind due to the fact that they shield the building from direct wind and sun. Secondly, the large panel format and resulting shielding effect helps to reduce the number of thermal bridges - anything that goes through the wall’s outer insulation layer - thus, maximising the performance of the insulation.

A true ventilated façade system provides durable weather resistance - protection from the sun, wind and rain - with moisture either descending by drainage channels or evaporating through the ventilation cavity. In accordance with the CWCT standards for open jointed rainscreens, Hunter Douglas’ ventilated façade systems incorporate a 50mm ventilation cavity behind.

An industry leader

Hunter Douglas has been a leader in the industry for more than 40 years due to its high quality and reliable products, as well as its continual innovations and excellent record of service to customers. The company has been working alongside the architecture and design community to create some of the world’s most recognisable buildings. Knowing how much work goes into each project, Hunter Douglas has dedicated itself to creating innovative and customisable solutions. The company values design while making sure that functionality and comfort are not sacrificed. Durable, high quality façades from Hunter Douglas contribute to lowering lifecycle costs of a building.