Choosing a façade system is not just a decision about appearance. It determines how the building will perform for years, its maintenance costs and user comfort. When comparing quotations, you can use the following seven headings as a checklist.
The façade must be dimensioned according to the regional wind load and the building height. The deflection of the profile under load must not exceed a permitted ratio of the span (for example L/200). Ask which load and deflection criteria the structural calculation is based on.
A closed façade must not let water and air in under rain and wind. In door and window systems these performances are classified according to EN 12207 (air permeability), EN 12208 (watertightness) and EN 12210 (resistance to wind load). For curtain walls, the EN 13830 product standard and the related test standards apply. Make sure the stated class is based on a test report, not a declaration.
Thermal break width, profile depth and glass selection must be evaluated together. Ask for the Uf value and the total system U value, together with the glass used in the calculation. For details, see our article on thermal breaks.
In situations such as heavy traffic, proximity to an airport or meeting areas, the glass build-up (laminated glass, panes of different thickness, cavity width) and gasket continuity are decisive. Define the target sound insulation value (dB) at the start of the project.
The maximum glass thickness a profile can take and the glass weight it can carry vary from system to system; for example, the RESF32 sliding system can take glass up to 32 mm thick. If you will use insulating glass, laminated glass or safety glass, compare the total glass thickness and weight with the system limits.
Anodising and powder coating determine whether the façade will keep its appearance for years. Ask for quality certificates such as QUALANOD for anodising and QUALICOAT for powder coating, as well as coating thicknesses. In coastal areas, a powder coating class resistant to sea air (Seaside) is preferred. For example, the RESF32 catalogue specifies an anodising thickness of 15–20 microns and a powder coating thickness of at least 60 microns.
Controlled drainage of water that enters the profile (drainage and pressure equalisation) determines long-term watertightness. To maintain system performance, the gaskets and accessories specified in the catalogue details must be used; using different gaskets or accessories may cause functional and design problems. Installation tolerances, anchorage details and access for cleaning and maintenance should also be considered at the project stage.
