Architectural Façade Systems Analysis
At Façade Creations, we combine decades of experience in façade design and building envelope construction to deliver reliable, expert support for every member of your project team. Our journey across some of the UK’s most complex and prestigious projects has equipped us with unmatched knowledge in façade glazing, rainscreen cladding, and complete building envelope systems.
Through close collaboration with architects, contractors, engineers, and other industry professionals, we have developed a clear understanding of what makes a façade perform flawlessly – and where potential challenges can arise. This insight allows us to proactively address issues before they impact your project.
Our Mission
We aim to simplify the complex, providing seamless support from the initial design stage to project completion. By integrating early into your project, we maximize efficiency, ensure compliance, and enhance the overall quality of your building envelope.
How We Support Your Project:
- End-to-end guidance across planning, design, construction, and building envelope management
- Customized, practical solutions tailored to the unique needs of your project
- Expert thermal analysis, structural assessments, and design verification services
- Installation audits, quality assurance checks, and performance testing to guarantee results
While we often assist specialist subcontractors in meeting stringent design criteria, our real value emerges when involved from the earliest stages – helping shape solutions that minimize risk and optimize outcomes.
At Façade Creations, we are committed to delivering professional, reliable, and practical support, ensuring every façade project is executed with precision, efficiency, and excellence.
Our Services
Comprehensive Support Across Every Stage of Your Project
At Façade Creations, our specialists provide expert guidance for your construction project from concept to completion. We offer a full spectrum of services across all phases of planning, design, construction, and ongoing management of the building envelope.
We assist with specification review, product selection, and tailored solutions that meet client expectations while delivering high performance in a cost-effective manner. Our approach ensures every project benefits from practical, innovative, and efficient design strategies.
Our expertise spans all aspects of the building envelope, with a particular focus on engineered façades – including curtain walling, windows, rainscreen cladding, and their supporting structures. We work on projects of all scales and types, supporting architects, main contractors, and specialist subcontractors alike.
While much of our work is undertaken to help specialist subcontractors meet specific design criteria, we know that earlier involvement often has a far greater impact on the quality and performance of the final façade. That’s why we strongly encourage early collaboration with architects, clients, and main contractors – ensuring optimal results from the outset.
Thermal Performance Analysis
Energy efficiency and compliance with increasingly stringent regulations make the thermal performance of a building envelope critical – not only for regulatory adherence but also for reducing long-term operating costs. At Façade Creations, we excel at balancing aesthetic design goals with thermal performance, ensuring that façades look exceptional while performing optimally.
Our Expertise
We specialise in detailed thermal performance analysis of building envelopes, offering support to architects, engineers, main contractors, and specialist subcontractors. Our expertise encompasses all elements of engineered façades – including curtain walls, windows, rainscreen cladding, and supporting structures – as well as roofing and cladding systems. We also assess the impact of thermal bridging through penetrations, which can significantly affect overall performance.
Using advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in both 2D and 3D, we examine each component of the envelope in detail, integrating results to provide a comprehensive evaluation of thermal performance. The findings are delivered in clear, actionable reports, allowing project teams to make informed decisions that meet both aesthetic and regulatory requirements.
Key Thermal Analysis Services
Our Thermal Analysis Expertise
We specialise in thermal performance assessments for all types of building envelopes, providing guidance to architects, engineers, main contractors, and specialist subcontractors. Our expertise covers:
- Engineered façades: curtain walls, windows, and rainscreen walls with supporting structures
- Roofing and cladding systems
- Assessment of thermal bridging caused by penetrations and structural elements
Our analyses use advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in both 2D and 3D, enabling a detailed evaluation of individual elements and the overall envelope. Results are presented in clear, actionable reports for professional teams to integrate into project decisions efficiently.
2D Finite Element Analysis
Our 2D thermal simulations use FLIXO and BISCO software to examine façade cross-sections. These programs:
- Calculate heat flows, U-values, and condensation risks in compliance with EN ISO standards
- Evaluate the performance of frame systems, glazing units, and edge spacers using project-specific inputs
- Incorporate radiation and convection modules for higher accuracy
This method produces reliable thermal data, including temperature factors, linear thermal transmittance (Ψ-values), and frame U-values, validated against British Standard EN ISO 10077-2:2017. Material properties are referenced from EN and BS standards or supplier-specific data when required.
3D Finite Element Analysis
For complex façade geometries, such as roof penetrations or intricate junctions, we apply TRISCO software for 3D thermal simulations. This allows us to:
- Accurately model heat transfer through multi-material assemblies
- Account for thermal bridges and conduction paths
- Integrate radiation and convection effects using Physibel’s RADCON module
Material properties are referenced from EN/BS standards or manufacturer data. The results feed directly into U-value calculations and condensation risk assessments, ensuring precision for project-specific conditions.
Façade U-Value Analysis
We provide detailed U-value calculations for both vision and non-vision elements of façades:
Vision Elements (Glazing)
- Accounts for frames, glazing units, and edge losses (Ψ-values) in weighted area calculations
- Goes beyond supplier-provided values, incorporating actual project configurations for accuracy
- Evaluates windows, doors, stick curtain wall, unitised systems, and bespoke glazing solutions
Non-Vision Elements (Walls & Rainscreens)
- Performs 3D analysis of walls, including insulation, brackets, and supporting structures
- Identifies areas where cold bridging may reduce performance
- Provides solutions to optimise insulation and meet regulatory U-value targets efficiently
Early involvement ensures accurate design decisions, avoiding assumptions that can compromise performance or increase costs.
Condensation Risk Analysis
Condensation can affect façade aesthetics and long-term durability. Our assessments:
- Calculate surface temperatures and condensation risk using 2D or 3D analysis
- Evaluate glazing frames, edge spacers, and non-vision elements under project-specific environmental conditions
- Recommend practical mitigation strategies to prevent condensation-related issues
We also consider likely real-world scenarios versus theoretical extremes, providing balanced advice for informed project decisions
Rainscreen Wall Analysis
Rainscreen walls require precise assessment due to potential thermal bridging via brackets and penetrations. Our approach includes:
- 3D modelling of bracket layouts, insulation thickness, and material properties
- Ensuring achievable cladding zones and cost-effective designs
- Interstitial condensation risk evaluation in accordance with BS 5250 and project-specific conditions
This ensures walls meet U-value targets while remaining buildable and energy-efficient.
Compliance with Standards
All our thermal analyses adhere to relevant BS and EN standards, alongside guidance from BRE, CWCT, GGF, and CAB, including:
- BS EN ISO 10077-1 & 2, 13789, 10211-1 & 2, 12631:2012, 13370, 673
- BRE BR443, IP 5/98, IP 17/01, IP 10/02
- CWCT and GGF guides for heat transfer, U-values, and condensation assessment
- CAB standards for aluminium windows and curtain walls
Why Early Engagement Matters
While our services are valuable at any project stage, involvement during the early design phase maximises impact. Early collaboration ensures:
- Optimal thermal performance without compromising architectural intent
- Efficient design solutions and realistic cladding zones
- Reduced risk of costly adjustments later in the project lifecycle
At Façade Creations, our thermal performance services provide clarity, compliance, and confidence – helping you deliver façades that are visually impressive, energy-efficient, and built to last.
Specification and Product Review
Leveraging decades of façade design experience, Façade Creations provides expert guidance on project specifications and product selection. We help clients, architects, and contractors choose the most cost-effective solutions that achieve both performance targets and aesthetic aspirations. Early involvement in the design concept phase allows us to have the greatest impact, ensuring that project goals are achievable from the outset.
Early Design Support
Our team can advise architects and developers during the initial design stages, ensuring that aesthetic choices align with required performance levels. By reconciling these considerations early, we help prevent potential conflicts between design intent, regulatory requirements, and technical feasibility – minimising the risk of costly redesigns or disputes later in the project.
Support for Main Contractors
Once a Main Contractor is appointed, Façade Creations can assist in:
- Selecting and appointing specialist subcontractors
- Assessing proposals for compliance with project specifications
- Liaising with subcontractors throughout the project
- Evaluating technical submissions and design proposals
Our input ensures that subcontractor solutions meet performance expectations and regulatory standards, while maintaining alignment with the overall project vision.
Assistance for Specialist Subcontractors
Specialist subcontractors benefit from our guidance in:
- Understanding project specifications
- Selecting suitable products
- Developing technical submissions
If early-stage advice has been overlooked, projects can face challenges where products do not meet the intended performance or aesthetic goals. Façade Creations can provide solutions at any stage – resolving specification conflicts, preparing technical documentation, and facilitating communication to achieve consensus among all stakeholders.
Specification and Design Reviews
Beyond product and performance review, we also offer comprehensive design and drawing evaluations. This ensures that every element of the building envelope meets both regulatory requirements and client expectations. Please refer to our Design Reviews section for further details.
Contact us at Façade Creations to discuss how our specification and product review services can support your project at any stage, from concept through completion.
Façade Testing Services
Façade Creations offers comprehensive support for all aspects of façade testing, assisting clients, main contractors, and specialist subcontractors. Our services range from expert witnessing to managing on-site and off-site testing procedures, ensuring that every façade system performs reliably and meets project specifications.
We provide support for:
- On-site and off-site testing activities
- Creation and vetting of Method Statements
- Liaising with test houses and system suppliers
- Onsite water and weather testing
- Acoustic testing of façade systems
Our goal is to deliver confidence in the performance of your façade while supporting all members of the project team.
Off-Site Weather Performance Testing
Off-site testing is crucial to validate the performance of the chosen façade solution. While standard systems often have historical test data, bespoke systems or unique interface details require project-specific testing.
Our approach includes:
- Reviewing project specifications and verifying the suitability of proposed testing regimes
- Advising on different requirements for opening windows, doors, or fixed curtain walls
- Acting on behalf of clients, architects, or main contractors to witness testing
- Supporting subcontractors by managing the testing process to allow the project team to focus on other works
- Coordinating test drawings, rig support structures, and installation with test houses and system suppliers
- Providing comprehensive written reports and photographic evidence
With extensive experience managing successful off-site tests, we ensure testing is efficient, accurate, and aligned with the project’s design intent.
On-Site Weather Testing
On-site testing verifies installation workmanship and ensures that the in-situ façade performs as specified. Typical tests include hose or spray bar procedures as described in CWCT Technical Note 41.
Façade Creations supports on-site testing by:
- Reviewing specified test standards and confirming their suitability for the project
- Acting as an independent witness for clients, architects, or main contractors
- Advising and managing subcontractors during testing
- Producing Method Statements and marking test areas on drawings
With extensive experience managing successful off-site tests, we ensure testing is efficient, accurate, and aligned with the project’s design intent.
Off-Site Acoustic Testing
Acoustic performance often depends on the specific configuration of the project façade. Historical component or system data may not accurately reflect real-world performance, making project-specific acoustic testing essential.
Our services include:
- Liaising with test houses to develop Method Statements and testing schedules
- Coordinating test drawings and rig support structure design
- Managing installation of test samples in collaboration with subcontractors and system suppliers
- Witnessing tests and providing written reports with photographic evidence
This approach ensures accurate measurement of sound insulation values and validates the acoustic performance of the completed façade.
With extensive experience managing successful off-site tests, we ensure testing is efficient, accurate, and aligned with the project’s design intent.
Why Choose Façade Creations for Testing
Early involvement in testing strategy helps avoid costly delays or performance issues later in the project lifecycle. Façade Creations brings decades of experience and proven methodologies to every testing project, providing clear guidance, reliable results, and confidence for all stakeholders.
Contact us today to discuss your façade testing requirements and discover how we can support a smooth and effective testing process.
Installation Inspections
Accurate monitoring of on-site installations, particularly of complex façade systems, can be the difference between a successful project and long-term performance issues. Even the most meticulously designed façades rely on quality workmanship to achieve the desired outcome.
Façade Creations provides comprehensive installation inspection services, acting either on behalf of clients or as part of specialist subcontractors’ Quality Assurance procedures.
On-Site Installation Inspections
We deliver hands-on support during site installation to ensure all systems are installed correctly, safely, and in accordance with design specifications. Our services include:
- Monitoring installation teams to ensure adherence to system recommendations and bespoke project details
- Providing toolbox talks for installers prior to commencement
- Liaising with contractors’ supervision teams as fitting progresses
- Extending monitoring services beyond glazing to include solid wall elements
Our inspections can be tailored to act for:
- Specialist Subcontractors: Offering assurance that installation teams follow the correct procedures and project-specific details
- Clients or Main Contractors: Acting as an independent representative to evaluate the quality and compliance of installation works
Expertise and Experience
With long-standing experience working with major system houses, we bring authoritative knowledge and practical guidance to all members of the design and installation team. This ensures installations are performed to the highest standards, mitigating risks and supporting long-term façade performance.
Reporting
All inspections are supported with detailed written reports and photographic evidence, providing transparency and clarity to all project stakeholders.
Contact Façade Creations to discuss how we can assist with installation inspections and ensure your façade installation meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
Contact Façade Creations to discuss how we can assist with installation inspections and ensure your façade installation meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
