/6 min read
Choosing Materials That Age Well
In short
In this climate a material either weathers gracefully or fails visibly, with very little in between. Stone, hardwood, aluminium and good render age well; thin applied finishes, unprotected steel and anything relying on a sealant line do not. The piece argues that most facade failures here are detailing failures rather than product failures, and that drips, overhangs and ventilated cavities matter more than a specification upgrade.
In this article
Topics
- Materials
- Sustainability
- Asset enhancement
Weathering is a design decision
Materials that patina — timber, copper, some stone — improve if the detailing lets water leave them. The same materials trapped against a wall rot.
Details, not products
Most facade failures here are detailing failures, not product failures. Drips, overhangs and ventilated cavities do more for longevity than any specification upgrade.
What to spend on
The envelope and the things you touch daily. The middle of the specification range is usually the right place to be on everything else.
Key takeaways
- Choose materials that weather rather than materials that must stay new.
- Most facade failures are detailing failures.
- Spend on the envelope and on what you touch every day.
On this site
First published in the KAPA Journal, written with KAPA Design Collective, the practice that designs and builds our residences.
Published by TMB Development at tmbdevelopment.com/journal/choosing-materials-that-age-well. Quoting a passage with a link back is welcome; republishing it is not — see the terms.
