KCL Building Science Division recently introduced a unique service for building owners which involves the assessment of residential, commercial and institutional buildings to determine their suitability for the application of overcladding technologies.
These technologies, which involve the installation of a rear ventilated rainscreen wall systems over the existing façade of older buildings, have been successfully employed in many European countries for over 15 years and have proven their worth in dramatically reducing energy costs and improving air quality and ventilation.
The technology also allows for downsizing of HVAC equipment.
Advantages of overcladding include:
- More financially reasonable than demolition and reconstruction.
- Work can be carried out while the building is still in use with minimal impact on occupancy and limits disruption to the fabric of the building.
- Improves energy efficiency, thermal performance & air tightness.
- Optimizes use of thermal mass & enables transfer of the dew point outside the structural wall element.
- Increases the life expectancy of the building.
- Renews ageing facades and improves appearance of the structure.
- Lowers maintenance costs and allows upgrading of building services.
- Improves air quality, sound insulation and general comfort.
- Helps eliminate internal problems such as condensation and mould.
For more information about obtaining an overcladding assessment for your building contact
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.
Shown is a conceptual rendering of an overclad retrofit of a high-rise building published in the Tower Renewal Guidelines by Ted Kesik and Ivan Saleff (Copyright 2000)
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