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Ventilated facades

NEXION – TERRAMILANO SOLUTION

Italian Engineering


Nexion – Terramilano offers a complete solution for ventilated façades thanks to the partnership between Nexion and Terramilano Engineering, one of the best Italian companies in the sector, with 25 years of experience with notable works as Torre Solaria and Bosco Verticale, Milano.

Definition

In compliance with the UNI 11018 standard, the ventilated facade is “a type of advanced-display facade, in which the gap between the cladding and the building is designed so that the present air can float by the stack effect, in a natural or artificially controlled way, based on the season and /or daily needs, in order to upgrade its overall thermo energetic performances”. Therefore, the ventilated facade is a cantilevered system giving the building a new skin.
FOR ALL ARCHITECTURAL NEEDS

Anchor systems


Nexion Hidden System

Hidden system

RECOMMENDED FROM RESIDENTIAL TO HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

The “Hidden System” is the only full elastic mechanical and most elegant solution for ceramic because it allows to hide the fixing hooks between the slabs and the sub-structure.

Nexion/ Terramilano Hidden System allows you to hide the hook that anchor the slabs to the structure.To achieve this type of fixing, it is necessary to make a milling slots (kerf) on the tile (specific engravings on the upper and lower edges) that serve as housing for the hook.

This machining is accomplished through a numerical control machine (CNC) to ensure maximum accuracy.

Nexion Hidden System

Slabs are anchored to the vertical stand by means of the S10 hooks. These are connected to the vertical stand not by using screws, which would make the system rigid, but rather they are hammered and are housed in the grooves present in the wings of the upright.

This allows you to obtain an elastic system, able to dissipate small deformations without compromising the stability of the façade.
This system allows unbeatable performance in terms of windload, fireproof, and systemic risk

Key features

  • SAFER USE IN AREAS WITH HIGH SEISMIC RISK

    – Elastic hooks allow better separation between primary (building) and secondary (facade) structure.
    – Use of fasteners (primary–secondary structure interface) designed for use in seismic areas.
    – Higher resistance to seismic force compared to rigid fixing of cladding panels.

  • LOW DEAD LOAD REQUIREMENT

    – Fully mechanical system (non flammable adhesive used for anti-vibration purpose only).

    -Use of non flammable cladding panels (e.g. ceramics).

  • VERY HIGH WIND LOAD RESISTANCE

    – High wind load resistance achieved in software simulation (not allowing elastic anchoring of panels).

    – Very high wind load resistance achieved in laboratory tests (above 6200 Pa with ceramic cladding panels of 9 mm thickness).

    AN UNBEATABLE SOLUTION

    Benefits


    • Waterproof

      Waterproof

      The ventilated air cavity built into the system means that rainwater does not penetrate through to the inside of the cavity. It keeps the skin of the existing building healthy in the wintertime.

    • Safety in use

      Hides the building’s services. The ventilated facade camouflages the building’s electrical, gas or plumbing installations, but at the same time allows easy access to them.

    • Durability

      Ceramic is extremely resistant and has great durability. Its resistance to acid corrosion and ultraviolet rays means that its aesthetic appearance remains unaltered over time.

    • Energy savings

      Ventilated air cavity enhances thermoregulation and helps make buildings more energy efficient. It reduces air conditioning and heating consumption by around 30%.

    • Aesthetic value

      The different formats available and the wide range of designs, colors and textures make the ventilated facade system even more attractive.

    • Easy to install

      The lightness of the pieces, specially designed to reduce their weight, is a great advantage. Also, if a piece gets damaged or needs replacing the system is very easy to repair.

      Six more reasons

      Why you shoud prefer ventilated facade


      • Thermal insulation

        A reduction in the amount of heat that buildings absorb from the partial reflection of solar radiation by the outside facade, and the naturally ventilated air cavity. In cold weather conditions ventilated walls retain heat.

      • Acoustic insulation

        The air cavity acts as further acoustic insulation from the outside, reducing noise by between 10% and 20%. A reduction of this level can greatly improve occupant comfort.

      • Breathability

        The air chambers and the dry installation system facilitates the breathability of the brickwork, making the air in the interior spaces more healthy and preventing mold and humidity.

      • Protection against vibration

        The expansion joint allows the vibrations to be absorbed and makes the system seismic resistant. The air gap between the tiles prevents damage due to collision.

      • Green Building Standards

        Exterior cladding, and in particular facades, assume a critical role from the point of view of sustainability enabling a reduction of energy and an increase in thermal comfort.

      • Restructuring

        Ventilated facades are particularly suitable and valued in building renovation, It’s application enables some utilities to be transferred to the exterior of the building, simplifying monitoring and maintenance.

        Quality standards


        ALL TESTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY ITALIAN LABORATORIES ACCREDITED ACCORDING TO ISO/IEC 17025:2005
        Standards according to ISO 13006: Annex G – EN 14411: Annex G. Dry – Pressed Ceramic Tiles.
        DIMENSIONS AND SURFACE QUALITY
        Technical feature Standard method ISO Nexion values Requirements
        % mm % mm
        Length and Width UNI EN ISO 10545 – 2 ± 0.2 ± 2.0 ± 0.6 ± 2.0
        Thickness ± 5 ± 0.5 ± 5 ± 0.5
        Straightness of Sides ± 0.2 ± 1.5 ± 0.5 ± 1.5
        Rectangularity ± 0.33 ± 1.5 ± 0.5 ± 2.0
        Flatness ± 0.26 ± 1.5 ± 0.5 ± 2.0
        Surface Quality Compliant A minimum of 95% of the
        tiles shall be free from visible
        defects that would impair the
        appearance of a major area of tiles
        PHISICAL PROPERTIES
        Technical feature Standard method ISO Nexion values Requirements
        Water Absorption UNI EN ISO 10545 – 3 Compliant Eb ≤ 0.5%,
        Individual maximum: 0.6%
        (absorbed water mass)
        Breaking Strength UNI EN ISO 10545 – 4 ≥ 2000 N (9 mm)
        > 700 N (6mm)
        Min 1300 N
        Min 700 N
        Modulus of Rupture R ≥ 40 N/mm² R ≥ 35 N/mm²
        Minimum 32
        Not applicable to tiles with
        breaking strength ≥ 3000 N
        Frost Resistance UNI EN ISO 10545 – 12 Compliant Required
        Coefficient of linear thermal expansion from
        ambient temperature to
        100 °C (K⁻¹)
        ISO 10545 – 8 6×10⁻ ⁶ K⁻¹ max Required
        Scratch Hardness (Mohs scale) EN 101 min 6 Declared by the producer
        Surface Abrasion UNI EN ISO 10545 – 7 5 0 (100 cycles)
        1 (150 cycles)
        2 (600 cycles)
        3 (1500 cycles)
        4 (6000 cycles)
        5 (> 12000 cycles)
        CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
        Technical feature Standard method ISO Nexion values Requirements
        Resistance to staining UNI EN ISO 10545 – 14 5 Minimum Class 3
        Resistance to household
        chemicals and
        swimming pool salts
        UNI EN ISO 10545 – 13 GA
        (No visible effect)
        Minimum GB
        Resistance to high and low
        concentrations of acids
        and alkalis
        GA – GHA
        (No visible effect)
        To be reported
        Slip Resistance
        (ISO/IEC 17025:2005
        Accredited Lab.
        Test to be provided)
        DIN 51130 R10
        DIN 51097 B (A+B)
        AS 4586:2013 >35 P3
        DS 7976-2:2002 Dry >36 | Wet >36
        ENV 12633:2006 cl. 2
        CERTIFICATIONS AND CALCULATION REPORTS
        Nexion delivers a full consulting package from the initial design of the ventilated facades through to final delivery. Every project is certified and guaranteed through technical drawings, calculation reports and documentation containing the specific design characteristics.

        Download certifications

        Our team of architects, engineers and craftsman can ensure your ideas become reality