The
façade is the 'face' of any
building. It not only has an aesthetic function, it also has
an energy-efficient function.
It has not only an
aesthetic function, but also a protective and energy-efficient one: it keeps the indoor climate warm during the cold season and cool in the heat.
A distinction is made between main, side and
rear façades.
The architectural elements of a facade
Décor is one of the
options for giving the façade an
individual style. The most interesting thing about décor and
architecture is that each time period in history was characterised by the presence of one element or another in almost all new buildings. For example, in the 18th century it was common to decorate facades with stucco or to frame the
main entrance with columns.
A baluster is a vertical railing element.
- A balustrade is usually a low railing on stairs, balconies, terraces etc., made up of shaped posts (balusters) connected by a railing or a horizontal beam.
- A plinth cornice is a horizontal projecting element on the perimeter of the plinth.
- A column is a cylindrical or circular column which may be either a decorative or supporting element. It stands apart from the building.
- A pilaster is a flat, rectangular wall ledge that follows the proportions of a column.
- A chandelier is a cornice over a window opening.
- A rustication is a wide rectangular overlay on the corners of walls.
- Interstory cornice or molding - a projection along the perimeter of an interstory floor.
- Crowning eave - a ledge on the perimeter of the building under the roof.
- Window sill is the ledge below a window opening.
- A soffit is the free part of the space between the window or door frame and the wall ledge. It exists both outside (on the facade) and indoors.
- Bracket is a sill support element.
- An arch is a curved slab of a blind or through opening. The arches can be either in relief as a decoration or as an architectural part of the building (a door or window opening).
- A lock or keystone is a projection at the top of an archway which imitates a keystone. You can see the lock as a decorative element on the flat lintel in the picture.
- A architrave is a decoration for a window or door opening. Can be made from different materials. The function of the architrave is to cover the distance between the wall and window/door frame.
- Rosette is a round cover on the wall;
- Pattern - flat or volumetric ornamentation on the facade (relief, bas-relief);
- Trim is a narrow linear element framed or slightly recessed. A fillet may even frame a part of the wall (window or door).
- Frieze is a band framing or crowning the various elements of the facade, but does not exclude the presence of patterns, ornaments, including relief;
- Inner corner;
- Exterior Corner;
- End face - the narrow side of a building. But there are exceptions: if this side is the front and it is the main (front) entrance, then the term "end face" does not apply;
- Basement is the part of the foundation above ground level. The plinth has the function of distributing the weight of the build. It may be projecting, recessed or flush to the load-bearing walls of the building;
Firebreaks
Firebreaks - elements made of non-combustible
materials that prevent the spread of flames. We will describe them in more detail below;
Expansion joints - these joints are used both in wet façade systems and in concrete structures
during construction. These joints reduce stresses in places where deformation may occur, thereby reducing the risk of cracking and
premature failure.