Overall performance of ventilated double façades compared to a state of the art single skin façade

The concept of a ventilated double façade is invented with the intention of improving the thermal qualities of a fully glazed façade. Over the years, the properties of the single glazed façade have improved. The aim of this study is to compare different ventilated double façades to a single skin façade and determine which façade has the best overall performance. To compare the façades, fifteen functional aspects on the areas of thermal and visual comfort, energetic and acoustical performance, ventilation and maintenance have been determined, next to eight realization aspects on the areas of costs, sustainability, flexibility and architecture. Measurements were performed on four existing façades for a period of one week in winter. Together with the gathering of information, this resulted in an evaluation of the total performance. In high-rise buildings, natural ventilation and shading devices in the cavity are the main advantages of the ventilated double façade. In low-rise buildings the performances can be equal, although the costs of the single skin façade rise quickly if a higher sound insulation is needed. It is therefore important to determine which performance has to be achieved in order to choose between a ventilated double façade and a single skin façade.