Today, Sweden's construction sector accounts for 40% of the country's material and energy consumption, which makes it important for society to plan for a sustainable future. At the same time, a building's façade—one of its key components—and the choice of suitable materials for it not only reflect the construction's quality but also represent the surface most exposed to environmental factors and therefore most susceptible to deterioration and quality loss over time. This makes it a crucial aspect to consider.
This study, commissioned by the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket), examines six main categories of façade construction materials: wood, brick, plaster, glass, composite, and ceramic. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of each. The purpose of this study is to provide consumers with an overview of the differences between various building façade materials and encourage consideration of sustainability rather than purely economic factors. In other words, the study does not directly address costs, but rather aims to shift the reader’s perspective toward qualitative factors.
Based on the research, wood paneling is considered the best choice for façade cladding in terms of both sustainability and economic perspective. However, there is significant potential for further research—materials could be assessed based on the amount of environmental pollution generated during production, or based on the product’s lifespan under identical climate conditions. Based on the available information, this report recommends choosing wood as the best option for building façades.
Wood
Wood is currently the only renewable building material and has the oldest traditions in Sweden [2]. It is a beautiful material that offers many design possibilities with various patterns and wood tones, giving façades a unique and attractive appearance. Recent technological advances have improved wood’s ability to withstand different weather conditions, and as a result, many earlier concerns about using wood for façades have largely been resolved.
However, wood façades require a different type of maintenance compared to many other materials. For instance, wood needs regular upkeep and must be protected with appropriate coatings against external factors, which means it needs to be preserved over time. Wood is easy to use in the form of pre-made panels, which increases construction speed and cleanliness. Nonetheless, it needs to be cleaned and repainted about every 10–15 years, depending on color and location. [3]
Thermally Treated Wood (ThermoWood)
Thermally treated wood, or ThermoWood, is an eco-friendly alternative to pressure-treated timber. The heat treatment improves the wood’s resistance to rot and fungi, increases dimensional stability, reduces cracking, and improves insulation properties [4]. This façade type is most suitable for villas. Despite its benefits, its very high price is a notable downside.
Brick
“Brick is one of the most important materials used in building construction” [5]. A brick façade can last for hundreds of years, provided the mortar is repaired as needed. It is largely maintenance-free, with the main concerns being joint damage or occasional brick replacement [3].
However, the environmental burden of brick production mainly comes from air emissions due to fossil fuel usage. The energy used in production comes from electricity, diesel, and solid fuels like pet-coke [3]. Still, today, brick is considered among the more environmentally friendly materials. Some companies, such as Meridian™ Brick, manufacture bricks with sustainability in mind, reducing the energy needed for replacements. They take advantage of the material’s solar and thermal qualities for heating and cooling purposes.
Plaster
Plaster is a sticky mixture (like lime or gypsum, water, and sand) that hardens as it dries and is used to coat walls, ceilings, and partitions. Plaster is commonly used in southern Sweden and gives buildings an elegant appearance. However, it's important to choose the right construction method and an experienced contractor to avoid moisture problems [3].
There are two main construction types: plaster on foam plastic and wooden frames, or plaster on LECA blocks or other stone materials. The latter is considered safer, while the former is slightly cheaper to build. If built correctly, a plastered house will be robust and have a stately character.
Glass
In the past, energy loss was a major concern with glass façades, leading to the preference for solid materials. But today, with advances in technology and the invention of double and triple glazing, which provide thermal insulation, glass façades can be used confidently [6].
Glass façades generally require a frame structure to support the glass panels. For a beautiful execution, the supporting structure should be considered early in the building design. When used extensively, insulation, break resistance, and protection from harmful rays are three important considerations. For example, double-glazed glass increases energy use for heating compared to triple-glazed glass, as shown in this table. Note that climate and environmental conditions greatly affect these values [6].
Composite
Composite is among the newer building materials and has found many applications. Composite façades consist of a polyethylene core covered with aluminum layers. Many façades—especially in office and commercial buildings—use metal sheets to enhance the building’s beauty and appeal.
Ductility, color variety, and fast installation are key reasons many architects prefer working with composites. Composite façades are also strong and resistant to sound and heat transmission. However, they have drawbacks: they are not fireproof and are difficult to recycle due to their heterogeneous hybrid structure [7].
Ceramic
Ceramic façades are known for their durability, weather resistance, long-lasting nature, and status as an environmentally friendly cladding material.
Ceramic façades have a wide range of applications in architecture. Porcelain ceramics are a subset of ceramic tiles, offering greater resistance than many other types. Ceramic is one of the “dry” façade systems and can be used for residential buildings, offices, or commercial properties. It is environmentally friendly and, compared to glass, aluminum alloys, and stone, performs best during the production phase. It is a recyclable resource and can be made from construction waste. Additionally, ceramic’s surface structure allows it to be easily painted to imitate marble or metal [8].
3D Ceramic Façade
3D Ceramic Façade is one of four types of ceramic cladding used for façades. It gives the building a unique, textured 3D appearance.
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Can be mounted horizontally or vertically
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Wide color range
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Protects façade from sunlight
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Provides some privacy
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Available in glazed and unglazed surfaces [9]