Terracotta architectural façades
The interest in architectural materials has undergone a significant change in recent years. Architects are the first to interpret them, but it is the users, the occupants, who express their desires through them. They admire the quality of the work, the fineness of the craftsmanship, the nuances of the surfaces and the familiarity found in traditional materials. Earth, and terracotta in all its forms of constructive uses, is certainly at home among these. The architectural façade of a building is what makes it stand out. It's also the link between the exterior and the interior. Nowadays, aesthetic and innovative types of architectural façade can also reflect the character of a region or talent of an architect. As such, how façades are architecturally designed plays a significant part in the construction or repair of a building. There are plenty of innovative solutions out there now, which are modern and sustainable, just like terracotta.
The importance of the architectural façade
The architectural façade constitutes the exterior of the building and is an integral part of the building structure as well as its identity. It allows the architect to showcase their talent and add their signature to the building in a way, by decorating it or giving it a more or less modern look depending on the chosen lines.
But an architectural façade is not only an aesthetic component; it plays a key role in thermal performance. Indeed, a cleverly designed and well-built façade can help reduce your energy consumption.
Similarly, the façade resists the elements of sun, weather, sand or moisture and it protects you from it, just like it protects from outside noise.
The architect uses their knowledge to create a type of architectural façade adapted to your environment. They offer their creative but also technical knowledge.
It is the architect's job to choose the right materials to make a façade durable and attractive.
The different types of façade in architecture
There are two main types of façade in architecture: the light façade and the heavy façade. Depending on the specificities of your project and the climatic conditions of your region, you will opt for one or the other.
As the name suggests, a light façade or curtain façade is a low-mass façade. It is composed of wood, fibre or glass panels. It isolates the building, the cladding, but does not support it. Easy to install and bright, it can be expensive in its long-term maintenance and retains less heat.
A heavy façade is the most commonly used architectural façade; it is masonry made of stone, bricks or concrete blocks. It is always chosen for load-bearing walls or window openings.
Rely on your architect to choose the right façade. They are the most qualified to determine which type of façade is most suitable for your construction project.
In addition, materials such as wood, glass, concrete, steel, glazed terracotta and brick, now offer architects the opportunity to innovate and play with shapes, volumes and dimensions and make it original and attractive.
The terracotta façade – an innovative, powerful and attractive solution
Beautiful and durable, terracotta is an interesting option for rendering façades. Architects choose it for its aesthetics and modernity. In brick form, Terreal's terracotta solutions include classic, glazed or hand-clayed and come in many neutral or coloured tones. A graceful and simple material, it is also part of history. Its solidity is undisputed. Terracotta façades are sober and contemporary. Similarly, with this type of cladding you can create volumes with custom shapes and finishes that leave plenty of room for architectural creativity. Reinventing façades!
Resistant to shocks and heat, terracotta façades are environmentally friendly. They also offer excellent an external wall insulation system (or EWIS), guaranteed energy savings and a real commitment to planet protection.
The façades of tomorrow will be made with materials inspired by yesterday, with bags of innovation and creativity besides.
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