facade material
The primary material(s) of a structure's exterior surface, except for windows.
The facade material of any built object is any substance which forms a significant portion (at least 10%) of its outward-facing surface, not including windows, doorways, or openings. More than one facade material may be assigned, as long as each one constitutes at least ten percent of the facade surface area.
Facade materials do not include any underlying or hidden material such as insulation or structural walls, unless those are exposed to the outside. They may, however, be covered by paint, varnish, or very thin protective coatings. Very thin coatings on a facade are not considered facade materials themselves, although thick coatings like stucco are.
Glass is only considered a facade material if it covers something opaque, such as a column, spandrel, or wall. Windows are not considered part of the facade for purposes of this definition.
The actual arrangement or form of facade materials is described separately by the facade system. Built objects can also be classified according to facade color.
facade material Photos
More specific definitions
4 sub-definitions-
industrial material
Manufactured facade materials formed by processing or combining substances into a new building material. -
metal
Metal or metal-alloy materials used to form a building's exterior surface, commonly as thin sheets. -
natural stone
Naturally occurring stone used on building exteriors as cut masonry blocks, panels, or tiles. -
organic material
Facade materials taken from naturally grown organisms and retaining a more or less natural appearance.
Related definitions
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architectural style
A classification of a structure's appearance in terms of design vocabulary and historical period. -
elevator type
The mechanical classification of vertical transport systems by the type of lift mechanism. -
entrance approach
The basic form in which a pedestrian main entrance of a building is reached from outside. -
facade color
Colors covering at least ten percent of a structure's facade, excluding windows and allowing distinct or combined patterns. -
facade system
The arrangement of exterior cladding over at least ten percent of the facade, excluding thin surface coatings such as paint. -
feature
Special properties or facilities directly associated with a built object, including amenities and physical characteristics. -
flooring material
The substance and form applied to the floors throughout a structure or a module. -
foundation system
The type of structure which gives structural support to a building beneath its lowest floor or ground base. -
frame material
Materials forming a structure's load-bearing skeleton, distinct from finishes, removable partitions, and foundations. -
framing system
The principal structural framework resisting gravity and lateral loads above ground, distinct from the foundation system. -
heating type
The energy source and, where applicable, delivery system used to heat a building's main occupied areas. -
insulation material
Forms and substances used as thermal insulators in building walls, roofs, and facades. -
insulation position
The position of thermal insulation materials with respect to the structural perimeter walls or framework of a building. -
level
The position and form of an entity acting as a company within a corporate organization or partnership. -
lighting system
The basic format of electrical structure or appliance used to illuminate the interior of a building. -
perimeter form
The outline shape of a horizontal cross section at the majority of a building's floor levels. -
qualitative indicators
Predefined or subjective measurements of various qualitative aspects of properties. -
roof covering
The substance and layout of the material used to cover the upper surface of a building. -
roof form
The prevailing shape of a building's roof or top section, using the most prominent form where several occur. -
roof frame material
The material forming the structural framework that supports the outer covering of a building's roof. -
secondary facade material
Material used for the non-display side(s) of a structure, or used in less than 10% of its facade area. -
staircase material
The framing material which supports the steps and risers in an object's stairways. -
stairway configuration
The general path of a stairway, describing the directions of individual flights and the connections between flights. -
storage type
The basic arrangement of facilities for storing large quantities of items, commodities, or materials. -
tenancy design
The intended arrangement of a building's space for one or more tenants, including private and shared occupancy provisions. -
window frame material
The material forming the frames that hold a structure's windows in place or allow them to move. -
window type
The type used for a majority of a building's windows, indicating whether and how they open, and how they are divided.