Climate change is an inevitable process of nature. Humans have fueled this process rather rapidly by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.

The construction industry is responsible for 39% of carbon emissions globally, of which 28% is from energy consumed by buildings, which is called Operational Energy and 11% is from construction materials, known as Embodied Energy.

Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint which impacts climate change. But with the right materials for cladding facades, architects can help decrease the amount of carbon emitted from structures, thus making them more sustainable.

Read through as we take a detailed look at 6 such cladding materials.

1. Brick façade cladding

• Maintenance: use a trowel or a brush
• Durability: fire resistant
• Sustainability: 40.5 kg CO2eq./m2
• Costing: Rs 60 to 110/ square foot  

Source: Archdaily

2. Timber façade cladding

• Maintenance: use a brush
• Durability: waterproof coating available
• Sustainability: 11kg CO2 eq./m2
• Costing: RS 250/square feet  

Source: Archello

3. Natural stone cladding

• Maintenance: use a brush
• Durability: fire resistant
• Sustainability: 15.5kg CO2 eq./m2
• Costing: Rs. 45/square foot  

Source: Architizer

4. Aluminium façade cladding

• Maintenance: use a cloth with water
• Durability: recyclable and non-flammable
• Sustainability: 79kg CO2 eq./m2
• Costing: Rs. 225/square feet  

Source: Architecture & Design 

5. Concrete façade cladding

• Maintenance:  cloth and water
• Durability: fire-resistant and highly durable
• Sustainability: 86kg CO2 eq./m2
• Costing: Rs. 450/square feet  

Source: Archello

6. Stainless steel cladding

• Maintenance: use a dry cloth
• Durability: fire and water resistant
• Sustainability: 22kg CO2eq./m2
• Costing: Rs 5550/ square feet  

Source: Architizer

Want to learn the art of advanced Facade Designing? Join our one-day masterclass now!