Selecting the right type of external façade cladding system is a critical decision in many commercial construction projects. Beyond pure aesthetic and design factors, the external façade also impacts important operational factors such as the building’s energy efficiency, durability, and maintenance needs. With so many external façade systems available, understanding the unique benefits and considerations of each system is key, particularly for architects tasked with designing striking buildings for their clients and with budgets needing to be maximised.
Rainscreen cladding systems all work on the same principles of creating a double-layered external façade system with an outer ventilated skin, forming a cavity that provides drainage, helping to keep external walls dry and free from mould and damp. When combined with adequate levels of insulation, rainscreen façades can achieve excellent thermal performance, as well as offer superior weather defence.
This article explores five types of external façade rainscreen cladding systems, offering an in-depth look at their applications and suitability for different project needs.
1. Panelled Rainscreen Cladding
Panelled rainscreen cladding, such as Rockpanel or Equitone, presents architects with a high-performance, design-forward solution for creating expressive façades. These fibre cement and compressed mineral panels are easily fabricated into bespoke shapes, enabling crisp geometric lines, curves, or layered compositions that are difficult to achieve with heavier systems like stone or glass. A wide selection of coloured or surface-treated finishes offers long-lasting colour stability and tactile variation, essential for crafting distinctive buildings. Their lightweight nature allows greater freedom in detailing and reduces structural demands, making them ideal for both new-build and retrofit applications. Beyond aesthetics, these systems deliver reliable weather resistance, fire performance, and low maintenance requirements.
Advantages:
- Lightweight and Easier to Install: Panelled systems are significantly lighter than stone or glass alternatives, reducing structural load and enabling quicker, more cost-efficient installation.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to natural stone, stainless steel, or glass systems, these cladding options generally have lower material and installation costs, making them ideal for projects with tighter budgets.
- Design Flexibility: Available in a broad spectrum of colours, patterns, and finishes, panelled cladding offers more customisation potential without the premium costs associated with bespoke stone or glass façades.
Considerations:
- Impact Resistance and Durability: Fibre cement and composite panels may be more prone to surface damage from high-impact forces compared to stone or metal cladding. Additional protection may be required in high-traffic or vulnerable areas.
- Long-Term Weathering and UV Stability: Some panels can fade or show signs of weathering over time, particularly with darker colours or less UV-stable finishes. It’s important to select high-quality products with proven weather resistance for exposed elevations.
- Fire Spread: There are various systems available on the market that can achieve an A2-S1-D0 rating, making it a suitable option for use on high-risk buildings as outlined in the Building Safety Act.
2. Stone Rainscreen Cladding
Stone cladding adds a touch of timeless elegance to a structure, making use of thin veneers of natural stone adhered to the exterior to create a durable façade with a distinctive look. It creates a robust and long-lasting envelope with a natural appearance that complements both traditional and modern architecture. Stone also offers excellent resistance to weathering, minimal maintenance over its lifespan, and contributes thermal mass, helping to regulate internal temperatures. Its premium finish and inherent variation in tone and texture convey a sense of quality and permanence, often enhancing the visual and material value of a building.
Advantages:
- Durable and weather-resistant: Stands the test of time under wind, rain, hot sun, and harsh weather conditions.
- Premium aesthetic: Stone cladding can add premium value and sophistication to any project.
- Fire Spread: Stone rainscreen cladding can achieve an A2-S1-D0 rating, so it is suitable for use on High Risk Buildings as outlined in the Building Safety Act.
Considerations:
- Cost Implications: Material and installation costs can be high, making stone cladding best suited to luxury commercial or residential projects, and those prioritising durability and appearance.
- Weight: Natural stone cladding is significantly heavier than other rainscreen options, which can place substantial demands on the building’s structural frame and substructure. This often requires reinforced backing walls, more robust fixings, and careful coordination with structural engineers during early design stages to ensure the system is safely supported and complies with loading regulations.
3. Metal Rainscreen Cladding
Metal cladding, commonly using materials like aluminium, steel, zinc, or stainless steel, combines durability with a sleek, often industrial aesthetic that suits a wide range of contemporary offices, public buildings, and commercial spaces. Its clean lines and precision detailing appeal to architects seeking a refined, modern look. Metal cladding systems are lightweight yet structurally strong, and can be perforated, folded, or profiled to create texture and depth. Surface treatments, such as anodising, powder coating, or patina, enhance their weather resistance and corrosion protection. Stainless steel, in particular, offers excellent longevity, a high-end finish, and exceptional resistance to pollutants, making it ideal for urban or coastal environments. Low maintenance requirements and recyclability also contribute to its appeal in sustainable building design.
Advantages:
- Durability: Withstands environmental wear and tear for maximum value and longevity.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep, an important factor for reducing operational costs.
- Design adaptability: Allows curved forms and unique finishes, suiting futuristic or leading-edge designs.
- Fire Spread: There are many options available on the market that allow for metal rainscreen cladding to achieve an A2-S1-D0 rating, making it suitable for use on high-risk buildings as outlined in the Building Safety Act.
Considerations:
- Thermal performance: While physically durable, additional insulation measures may be necessary to improve the energy efficiency of metal cladding.
4. Glass Rainscreen Cladding
Glass rainscreen cladding, exemplified by systems such as Lithodecor, is increasingly popular in major urban centres like London and New York for creating striking, durable façades with a sleek, contemporary appearance. Unlike traditional transparent glass, these panels are opaque and often feature printed or coloured surfaces or provide bold, custom patterns. Lithodecor panels are engineered glass with a robust backing that offers excellent weather resistance, fire safety, and low maintenance. They are fixed to lightweight metal substructures, enabling clean, crisp façades with precise joint lines and a variety of colour and finish options. This versatility allows architects to achieve a high-end, bespoke aesthetic while benefiting from the material’s longevity, UV stability, and recyclability.
Advantages:
- Modern appeal: Contributes to striking, innovative architectural design.
- Customisable: High potential to create striking, customisable façades to ensure any building stands out.
- Fire Spread: Glass rainscreen cladding can achieve an A2-S1-D0 rating, so it is suitable for use on high-risk buildings as outlined in the Building Safety Act.
Considerations:
- Energy efficiency challenges: It is important that the building is designed with a sufficient cavity to allow for the façade to meet the U-value requirements, ensuring heat loss is limited.
- Maintenance: Glass cladding requires regular cleaning to maintain its pristine appearance.
5. Timber Cladding
Timber cladding offers a warm, natural aesthetic that enhances the character of any building, making it a popular choice in sustainable and nature-inspired design strategies. Architects benefit from a broad selection of wood species and finishes from untreated cedar and larch to engineered timber panels that allow for varied textures, colours, and grain patterns. Beyond its visual appeal, timber provides excellent thermal insulation and breathability, contributing to improved energy efficiency and internal comfort. When responsibly sourced and certified, timber cladding supports sustainable building practices by reducing embodied carbon and encouraging the use of renewable materials. Additionally, timber’s adaptability enables creative detailing, including vertical, horizontal, or mixed orientation patterns suitable for both contemporary and traditional architectural styles.
Advantages:
- Eco-friendly: Renewable material with low embodied energy, as long as sustainably sourced timber is specified.
- Aesthetic versatility: Timber cladding evokes both rustic charm and contemporary elegance, giving customers exceptional versatility in creating a unique appearance for their building.
Considerations:
- Regular maintenance: natural wood requires regular treatments to protect against weathering and to prevent decay, potentially increasing the lifetime cost of ownership.
- Usage in relevant buildings: With the introduction of the Building Safety Act, there is a limit to which buildings can still utilise timber cladding. This is best verified by an approved inspector prior to product selection.
Making The Right Choice For Your Project
Ultimately, the right type of external façade system for your project depends on the location, project context, the feasibility of ongoing maintenance, and the aesthetic considerations of the client and architect. As the façade sets the tone for the building’s design, whether traditional, ultramodern, or something in between, matching the cladding to the project’s architectural vision is a primary concern.
At the same time, maintenance frequency can directly impact the customer’s long-term operational budget. Some systems, such as metal cladding and natural timber, can require rigorous attention, while others can get away with a lighter touch. Urban versus rural locations, building usage and frequency, and client priorities will all shape your decision. For example, a commercial high-rise office may benefit from the stunning glass expanses of a curtain walling system, while a high-end suburban or rural residential development might lean towards a more cost-effective and energy-efficient system, such as stone or timber cladding.
What Next?
For support choosing the best type of external façade system for your project, please get in touch with one of the experts at Advanced Glass today by clicking here. Examples of how we have supported similar customers can also be seen on our Recent Projects page.
