XLight in ventilated façades: the commitment towards energy efficiency

In Spain, 80% of houses which are over 30 years old, prior to NBE-CT 79 regulation, waste a part of their energy because they have an insufficient covering in their façades. In this context, XLight is the option chosen by numerous firms and architecture professionals when having façades renovated because of its lightness in large-format porcelain; and its ability to enhance the building façade insulation.

XLight, the intelligent option for façade renovation

XLight provides a huge number of technical features in ventilated façade installation, thanks to the building solutions offered by Butech, the PORCELANOSA Grupo firm which is specialised in façade development, both in visible and hidden fastening elements, which improve energy savings in buildings.

The ventilated façade involves the creation of an air cavity through which the air steadily moves from the lower part of the building to the upper part.

The building work with Xlight involves the creation of a skin consisting of three layers in the buildings. The first layer is an insulation which is just fastened on the wall to the thermal bridge breaking of the forged edges. The second layer works as an air bladder where the ?chimney effect’ is achieved, resulting in the air moving in its inside. Lastly, the XLight porcelain tile connected to the outside.

The Sun’s rays affect XLight by warming the air from the inside of the air bladder. The low hot air density makes it rise and move through the inside of the façade resulting in fresh air moving in to replace it in summer and keeping that hot air in winter, thanks to the insulation and the thermal bridge breaking.

This intelligent façade system is becoming increasingly valued since, it makes a saving of between 20% and 30% in energy consumption possible in the building.

Building advantages
Xlight ceramic pieces offer great advantages when building. Their large format: 300cmx100cm, with a minimum thickness: 3.5mm, and excellent lightness: just 8kg /m², make the installation and the handling of the pieces that much easier with vertical work. In this way, work time is considerably reduced, mostly in large-scale projects.

This is a highly-resistant material, specially suitable for outdoor wall tiles which banks on a fine look and minimum thickness.

The large-format porcelain tile evolution has allowed for the use of 6mm-thick pieces from the 120cmx250cm porcelain tile which also provides continuity in residential floor tiles with the 120cmx120cm format.

Renovations meant to last. A trend thought up for the future.
The renovation through the ventilated façade system ensures the building’s future life; from its structure to the outside part, interiors or its equipment. Renovating and applying new technologies to architecture increase the value of buildings.

With the thermal and technical sound insulation input, the aesthetic update of this trendy material is added. Lots of finishes and decorative styles which, because of their versatility, meet the demands of any project and the most innovative creative applications from designers and architects alike.

XLight is now a trendy material in building renovations and ventilated façade installations, therefore, it has become a strong commitment for the future. An option which has proved its efficiency in all kinds of projects, such as: residential housing, commercial premises or public buildings.

Among the most iconic projects from the PORCELANOSA Grupo, it is worth highlighting the renovation of some old coal mines, that today, are hotels, such as: the Terhills Hotel in Belgium by Vittorio Simoni; the 28 DINING Restaurant in the Netherlands by Hans Kuijten; the Francisco I Hotel renovation in Spain; the Watford F.C. stadium in the UK; or the One Shot Hotel façade renovation in Spain.