The exterior facing of a building is called the façade.
The façade is the exterior facing of a building . The concept allows reference to all the exterior walls of the construction but, generally, the term is used to refer to the main façade or front façade .
For example: “The owner of the theater has invested a lot of money to fix the façade” , “Tickets will be on sale at the box office on the back façade” , “The protesters threw tomatoes towards the façade of the municipality” .
Facade functions
The façade is usually the only part of a building that can be perceived from the outside. This makes it something very important in architecture , since it is the element that expresses the characteristics of the construction and its style.
It is important to highlight, in any case, that the facades not only fulfill an aesthetic function, but must also be functional to the entire construction , acting as thermal and acoustic insulation and preventing the entry of water.
Conventional facades usually have an outer leaf (usually made of brick) and an inner leaf . A thermal insulator (made of polyurethane, fiberglass or other material) is installed between both sheets, with a small separation so that water vapor can vent.
In the case of commercial premises , the aesthetics of the façade is even more relevant than for private homes, since it can determine the entry, or not, of potential clients.
The façade can be developed with different materials.
Different materials
Aluminum
Aluminum facades have been around for more than half a century and are relatively inexpensive. This material is highly resistant, especially effective against fires and termite attacks, although it is important to note that it dents very easily. There are panels of various colors, textures and alignments to choose from.
Stucco
Stucco is a material linked to the concept of façade for centuries; To achieve this, you only need to combine lime, sand and water and it can be textured using different pigments and stones. There are two fundamental methods for making designs with stucco, which consist of shaking the mixture or raking it while it is applied. It is worth mentioning that this material dries in a very short time, resists water and is very durable.
Asbestos cement
A facade made of fiber cement can be very durable, since this material is obtained by mixing sand, cement and cellulose fiber. It can be found in pre-painted panels, which are also resistant to termites and fire, and require very little work to maintain. Their durability is not to be taken lightly, given that it allows many of their manufacturers to offer them with several decades of guarantee.
Wood
As expected, the wooden facade is one of the most varied, given that its raw material can be obtained from a large number of different tree species, among which cedar, pine and redwood stand out. Its price varies according to the geographical origin of the type of wood chosen. Although it offers good durability, it requires maintenance every year.
Vinyl
Building a facade with vinyl is very economical. This material, which is characterized by great versatility , is made with PVC plastic and can be obtained in a wide variety of colors. Regarding its resistance, it is ideal for resisting strong winds and changing temperatures. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that it is not known for its durability, as it tends to crack over time. Vinyl panels can be purchased in a variety of styles and do not need to be painted.
Facade in colloquial language
In colloquial language, on the other hand, the notion of facade is usually used to name the presence or figure of someone.
“The actor delighted fans with his great facade” is an expression that reflects this use of the concept.