Another option is to use pre-insulated wall panels. Exterior insulation also has additional advantages for commercial buildings, including enhanced water management and increased air tightness of the building.Ĭontractors add insulation to the exterior of existing buildings for more effective R-values. The use of exterior insulation is an effective way to improve the thermal resistance of wall construction. Glazing units are typically shop-fabricated to control its quality and expedite the installation time on the job site. These can improve the performance while enhancing the appearance of the façade. Unitized curtain wall system panels for the reclad may include higher performance glazing, improved fire-rated glazing, spandrel and shadowboxes. The unitized curtain wall installed during the reclad can often include infills in various finishes and change the aesthetics of the building. A dual façade may be required if the old façade needs to remain in place during the installation of the new building’s skin. With proper project planning, the disruption to the building’s occupants can be minimal. A reclad will fix these problems and allow the building to still be fully operational. In some cases, fixing the current façade is not an option because the systems are obsolete, beyond repair or it falls short of meeting current code regulations. Therefore, performing a retrofit on the exterior wall system can correct issues with the original construction and create a more energy-efficient building. Building maintenance can become much more expensive due to rising operating costs as well as subpar energy efficiency. Over the years, cracks can appear in concrete, leaks can arise due to damaged silicone joints and glazing gaskets and metals rust. However, these building façades do not always age gracefully. These upgrades can increase energy efficiency during a commercial building envelope retrofitting.Įxterior wall systems can be made of a variety of materials including fabric, glass, metal, stone and wood. The variety of materials on the market used on building envelopes has increased over time. Poorly insulated glass and building façades can result in bad thermal performance, leaving its occupants uncomfortable and increasing energy costs for the building owner. Generally, the glass originally installed in these older buildings offered little protection from outside sounds, such as traffic, nearby construction and low-flying aircrafts. The insulated glass installed on these buildings typically have a warranty of five to 10 years, but the products having a life-expectancy of 20 to 30 years. In recent years, there have been advancements in curtain wall technology with advanced fabrication processes, progressive design techniques and high-performance materials, which can help prevent air and water from entering the building. The curtain wall technology was not as developed back then, resulting in failing sealants that may have led to water penetration and air infiltration. were built 30 to 40 years ago with curtain walls that do not meet today’s standards. Many large-scale commercial buildings in the U.S. High-rise commercial buildings in large cities can improve energy performance and sound reduction from outside elements through a building envelope retrofit. To ensure energy efficiency and improve the quality of patient care, a hospital retrofit should include overhauling the HVAC system, updating energy-draining lights and renovating its building envelope. The building’s ventilation systems must perform at ideal levels or mold can grow, which can compromise the health of the hospital’s patients and staff. Hospitals use a significant amount of energy for around the clock operations and the amount of air that needs to be conditioned. The quality of patient care can be severely impacted by bad indoor air quality and a building’s poor thermal performance. Hospitals can benefit significantly from a retrofit. Not only does the exterior building façade have to be retrofitted, but so do the HVAC systems, lighting systems and overall structures to ensure the building performs optimally. For example, factories are commonly adapted to provide residential housing in regions such as the Northeast and Midwest. Demolition and reconstruction take more time than an adaptive reuse project.Īdditionally, location often plays a large part in the decision to renovate or adapt a building for a new use. It is economically beneficial to adapt older buildings instead of constructing new ones. As existing commercial buildings age and outgrow their original function, changes in technology and construction are needed to meet modern demands.
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