Glass
Types:
Ordinary transparent glass: It has high light transmittance and allows for a clear view of the outdoor landscape. It is widely used in buildings with high requirements for lighting and a good view, such as office buildings and exhibition halls. Transparent glass helps people working indoors to enjoy the outside scenery, which is beneficial for reducing stress and adjusting their mental state.
Coated glass: By coating one or more layers of metal, alloy, or metal oxide films on the glass surface, it can effectively reflect solar radiant heat, reduce the energy consumption of indoor air conditioners. At the same time, it can also change the color and reflectivity of the glass, increasing the aesthetic appeal and uniqueness of the building’s exterior. For example, some commercial buildings in Sydney use blue coated glass, making the building present a unique blue luster under the sun, which is both beautiful and energy-efficient.
Low-E glass (low-emissivity glass): This kind of glass can effectively block the far-infrared thermal radiation, has good thermal insulation performance and a low emissivity. It can reduce the heat loss from the interior, keep the room warm in winter, and reduce the air conditioning load in summer. It is widely used in residential and commercial buildings in Australia.
Laminated glass: It is composed of two or more layers of glass with one or more layers of organic polymer interlayer in the middle. It has high safety. Even if the glass is broken, the fragments will be stuck by the interlayer and will not splash and hurt people. It is often used in buildings with high safety requirements, such as schools and hospitals.
Metal
Materials:
Aluminum alloy: It has the advantages of light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and easy processing. The surface can be anodized or sprayed to obtain various colors and textures, such as matte, glossy, and imitation wood grain effects. In Australian buildings, aluminum alloy facades are often used in modern-style office buildings and shopping centers, showing a simple and fashionable appearance.
Stainless steel: It has high strength and strong corrosion resistance, and has a unique metallic luster. It is often used in buildings with high requirements for durability and aesthetics, such as financial institutions and high-end hotels. Stainless steel facades can create different visual effects through different surface treatments, such as brushing and mirror finishing.
Copper alloy: It has good corrosion resistance and a unique color. Over time, a natural oxide film will form on the surface of the copper alloy, presenting a unique patina, adding a sense of history and cultural atmosphere to the building. In some retro-style buildings or cultural buildings in Australia, copper alloy facades are sometimes used to reflect the unique charm of the building.
Stone
Types:
Granite: It has high hardness, strong wear resistance, and good weather resistance, and there are various colors and textures to choose from, such as gray, red, black, etc. It is often used in large commercial buildings and government buildings to show the solemnity and grandeur of the building. For example, some government office buildings in Canberra use granite facades, giving people a sense of stability and majesty.
Marble: It has a fine texture and beautiful texture, and has high decorative value. However, compared with granite, marble has lower hardness and slightly poorer corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is often used for indoor facades or building parts with low requirements for weather resistance. In the lobbies of some high-end hotels, entrances of office buildings, etc., marble facades are often seen, creating a luxurious and elegant atmosphere.
Sandstone: It has good air permeability and sound absorption, and its color is soft, giving people a warm and natural feeling. In some coastal buildings or eco-friendly buildings in Australia, sandstone facades are sometimes used to blend with the surrounding natural environment. Sandstone is a natural material in nature, and its price is relatively cheap in the market compared to other steel materials.
Composite materials
Types:
Aluminum-plastic composite panel: It is composed of an aluminum plate and a plastic core material through a special process. It has the advantages of light weight, high strength, good flatness, and easy processing. The surface can be sprayed with various colors, and it has strong decorative properties. It is widely used in the exterior decoration of commercial buildings and residential buildings.
Stone honeycomb composite panel: It is made by bonding a thin natural stone plate with a honeycomb aluminum core or other core materials. It retains the decorative effect and texture of the stone while greatly reducing the weight of the stone, improving the anti-deformation ability and seismic performance of the panel. It is often used in the facades of high-rise buildings to reduce the self-weight of the building and safety risks.
Fiber-reinforced composite materials (FRP): It has the advantages of high strength, corrosion resistance, aging resistance, and good insulation performance. It can be customized according to design requirements to achieve various complex shapes and colors. In some special buildings or projects with high requirements for building performance, such as sports venues and industrial buildings, FRP facades are used.
Other materials
Wood: It has a natural warm texture and good visual effect, giving people a feeling of being close to nature. In some ecological buildings, resort hotels, or residential buildings in Australia, wood is sometimes used as a facade material to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. However, due to the relatively poor fireproof and moisture-proof performance of wood, it usually requires special treatment and maintenance.
Fabric: It is a new type of facade material, with the characteristics of softness, lightness, and good light transmittance, which can bring unique visual effects and soft indoor light to the building. It is often used in cultural and art venues, temporary buildings, or buildings with special design requirements. For example, in some art exhibition centers in Melbourne, fabric facades are used to create a unique artistic atmosphere.