In modern commercial construction, facade selection is not just an aesthetic decision — it is a technical, financial and legal issue that affects a building's energy efficiency, operating costs, fire safety and lifecycle over the next 30-50 years. In Latvia and Scandinavia we increasingly see projects where the initial architectural solution is revised during construction precisely because of facade system selection — and usually because sufficient alternatives are not evaluated during the design phase.
In this article we will examine in detail two dominant modern facade solutions — curtain walls (unitised facade) and ventilated facades with mechanical fixing systems. We will compare their technical characteristics, cost structure, energy efficiency potential, installation requirements and compliance with Latvian building codes (LBN) and European EN standards.
The article is aimed at three audiences:
- Architects — how to evaluate facade solutions already at the concept stage and avoid costly project changes
- Construction companies and general contractors — how to assess installation complexity, coordination with other building components and actual price differences between solutions
- Building owners and clients — how to understand why one facade costs 40% more than another and what that means for your property value
We will base ourselves on Finestra Solution's 10+ years of practical experience, implementing more than 3000 projects in 15+ countries using such leading European manufacturers' systems as Schüco, Aluprof and Procural.
Definitions and Terminology
Before diving into the comparison, it is important to clarify terminology, as it is often used inconsistently in design documentation and commercial proposals.
Curtain Wall
A curtain wall is an independent external casing of the load-bearing structure, which is attached to the building's load-bearing frame (usually reinforced concrete slabs or metal structure), and whose main function is to support only itself and transfer wind and snow loads to the load-bearing frame. It does not participate in transferring the building's vertical loads.
Main structural variations:
- Mullion-transom system — classic solution where vertical mullions and horizontal transoms form an aluminium grid. Example: Aluprof MB-SR50N — a system with 50 mm depth capable of covering heights over 200+ metres.
- Structural glazing — system where glazing is glued to the aluminium structure from the outside with special silicone adhesive, creating a visually seamless appearance.
- Unitised system — facade is manufactured in complete module units at the factory and lifted as whole units during assembly. Example: Aluprof MB-SE65. This system allows 4-6× faster assembly on site.
Ventilated Facade
A ventilated facade (sometimes also called rainscreen facade) is a double-skin casing, where the outer finish layer (stone, ceramic, composite panels, metal sheets, etc.) is mechanically fixed to the load-bearing wall with an air gap between them, typically 30-50 mm. This gap provides natural ventilation through the bottom and top edges of the facade.
Ventilated facade structural elements:
- Load-bearing wall (brick wall, reinforced concrete, metal frame)
- Thermal insulation (mineral wool or PIR boards)
- Wind barrier / water barrier
- Sub-structure (aluminium or galvanised steel profiles)
- Fixing system (brackets with thermal breaks)
- Finish panels (HPL, fibre cement, natural stone, ACM, terracotta, wood)
Technical Comparison
Thermal Performance (U-value)
Curtain wall with triple glazing and thermally broken aluminium profiles achieves Uw facade elements of 0.8-1.2 W/m²K, while the full system Ucw value is 0.9-1.4 W/m²K. Modern Aluprof MB-SR50N HI+ system with 90 mm deep profiles and Argon/Krypton filled triple glazing achieves Ucw = 0.9 W/m²K, meeting passive house standard.
Ventilated facade is fundamentally better thermally, because the insulation layer is not interrupted by mechanical fixings (or is minimally interrupted by thermally broken brackets). Achievable Ucw value is 0.15-0.30 W/m²K, with 200 mm mineral wool insulation it is possible to achieve U = 0.17 W/m²K.
Practical conclusion: Ventilated facade is 3-6× more efficient thermally. However, this does not apply to window/door areas, which are similar in both systems.
Wind Load Resistance
In Latvia's territory according to LBN 003-19 Climatology, wind load regions are designated (from 0.45 to 0.65 kPa baseline), but in the coastal zone (Liepāja, Ventspils, Riga up to 5 km from the sea) actual design load is based on multiplication by 1.4-1.6× coefficient and reaches 1.0-1.3 kPa.
- Curtain walls according to EN 13116: classes A1 to E1900 (1900 Pa). High-rise buildings in Scandinavia typically require E1500 or higher. PROCURAL PE96HI achieves C5 wind class resistance (according to EN 12210).
- Ventilated facade: mechanical fixing load is transferred to brackets. Typical performance: up to 1.8 kPa with standard systems, up to 3.5 kPa with reinforced.
Water Tightness
Curtain walls are classified according to EN 12154 (water tightness) in classes from R4 (150 Pa) to REXp (>1500 Pa for high-rise). The glazing system is exposed to direct rain without protective layer, so water tightness class is critical.
Ventilated facade by its construction is a rain protection. The outer finish layer takes the main water load, the ventilation gap drains water droplets that penetrate through joints, the water barrier on the load-bearing wall is the second line of defence. This double-skin approach is more robust long-term.
Acoustic Properties
- Curtain wall with triple glazing and acoustically improved middle pane: Rw value 38-45 dB. Premium configuration (Schüco AWS 75 BS SI+) achieves up to 47 dB.
- Ventilated facade with 200 mm mineral wool insulation: Rw value 50-58 dB. Practically applicable near roads or industrial zones.
Fire Safety
Fire safety requirements in buildings in Latvia are regulated by LBN 201-15 Building Fire Safety, which refers to EN 13501-2 classification. Main classes: EI (Insulation + Integrity) and E (Integrity only).
Typical requirements: high-rise buildings and evacuation zones — EI 60 or EI 90, external facades in commercial buildings — E 30 or EI 30, hospitals and educational institutions — EI 60-120.
Fire-safe curtain wall examples in Finestra Solution supplied systems:
- Aluprof MB-SR50N EI — up to EI 60 with special fill glazing
- Procural PE78EI Design Line — EI 30/60/90/120 class fire-safe doors and partitions
Critical note about ventilated facades: After the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, significant changes were made to European regulations. Now the fire classification of finish panels is decisive. In Latvia, buildings over 22 metres and public buildings (hospitals, schools) may only use A1 or A2 class finish panels.
Service Life and Operation
- Structure lifecycle: curtain wall 35-50 years, ventilated 50-80 years
- Glazing replacement in curtain wall: 25-30 years, cost €350-600/m²
- Finish panel replacement in ventilated: 30-50 years (stone), 20-30 years (HPL)
- Cleaning frequency: curtain wall 4-6× per year, ventilated 1-2× per year
- Operating costs (€/m²/year): curtain wall 3-8 €, ventilated 1-3 €
The advantage of ventilated facade is that damaged panels can be replaced individually without dismantling the entire system. Glazing replacement in curtain walls is a complex process requiring mobile construction platforms and often affecting interior space use.
Cost Comparison
Real costs on Latvia and Scandinavia market in 2026 (prices in euros/m² of facade area, including delivery and assembly).
Curtain Wall Systems
- Mullion-transom basic (2-pane glazing): €380-480/m²
- Mullion-transom premium (Aluprof MB-SR50N HI+): €580-750/m²
- Structural glazing (Schüco FWS 35): €750-950/m²
- Unitised (Aluprof MB-SE65): €850-1200/m²
- Curtain wall with integrated windows (Procural PF152IW): €650-850/m²
Ventilated Facades
- Fibre cement boards (Eternit, Cembrit): €180-260/m²
- HPL composite (Trespa): €220-320/m²
- Aluminium composite ACM A2 (Alucobond): €280-380/m²
- Ceramic boards (Tonality, Argeton): €320-480/m²
- Natural stone (granite, travertine): €480-750/m²
- Terracotta boards: €380-580/m²
- Wood finish panels (thermoaspen, larch): €280-420/m²
Average difference: Curtain wall is approximately 40-80% more expensive than ventilated facade, comparing equally high quality systems.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — 30 Year Perspective
Consider 30-year TCO for 1000 m² commercial building facade.
Curtain Wall (Aluprof MB-SR50N HI+):
- Initial investment: €650/m² × 1000 = €650,000
- Cleaning 4×/year × €5/m² = €600,000 (over 30 years)
- Partial glazing replacement (25-year mark): €100,000
- Finish renewal: ~€50,000
- Total TCO 30 years: ~€1,400,000
Ventilated Facade (HPL Trespa):
- Initial investment: €280/m² × 1000 = €280,000
- Cleaning 1×/year × €2/m² = €60,000 (over 30 years)
- Panel replacement (5% per year): €30,000
- Sub-structure renewal: ~€15,000
- Total TCO 30 years: ~€385,000
Difference: 3.6× cheaper ventilated facade over 30-year perspective. However, this does not account for the added economic value of curtain wall — office rental rates for curtain wall buildings in Stockholm's centre are on average 18-25% higher.
Energy Efficiency and EPBD Requirements
The European Building Energy Performance Directive (EPBD) 2024 edition specifies that by 2030 all new commercial buildings must be zero-emission buildings (ZEB), and existing buildings by 2033 must be upgraded to E energy consumption class or better.
In Latvia EPBD is transposed through Cabinet Regulation No. 383 Methods for Calculating Building Energy Efficiency and Building Energy Certification Rules (2024 edition).
How Facade Selection Affects Energy Consumption
For commercial buildings energy consumption is divided approximately: heating 30-40%, cooling and ventilation 25-35%, lighting 15-25%, equipment 15-20%. Facade directly affects heating (through U-value) and cooling (through g-value — solar heat transmission).
- Curtain wall with high g-value (>0.5): summer overheating, cooling load 80-120 W/m². Solutions: low-e coatings, integrated blinds (Aluprof MB-SR50N ZS).
- Ventilated facade: window share typically 30-40% (not 70-80% as in curtain wall). Summer overheating risk significantly lower. Cooling load 40-60 W/m².
Installation and Construction Process Comparison
Curtain Wall Installation
- Load-bearing frame verification and acceptance (tolerances ±5 mm)
- Technology support (brackets) installation on slabs
- Vertical mullions hoisting with crane
- Horizontal transoms connection
- Glazing unit installation
- Sealant and weather seals installation
- Final quality inspection and water testing
- Mullion-transom: 80-120 m²/day with 4-6 person team
- Structural glazing: 40-60 m²/day
- Unitised: 150-300 m²/day (factory pre-made modules)
Ventilated Facade Installation
- Load-bearing wall verification and preparation
- Water barrier membranes installation
- Sub-structure bracket and thermal break installation
- Mineral wool insulation layer placement
- Wind barrier membrane
- Vertical and horizontal profile system
- Finish panel mechanical fixing
- HPL/fibre cement panels: 120-180 m²/day
- Natural stone: 30-50 m²/day
- Ceramic boards: 60-90 m²/day
Practical conclusion: Curtain wall projects typically have 30-50% greater construction process complexity, which often means 2-3 weeks additional construction time and corresponding financial impact.
When to Choose Which — Specific Cases
Curtain Wall is Better Solution When...
- Commercial buildings with high-value offices — Stockholm/Copenhagen class A buildings, where clients demand modern facade and natural light. Budget > €500/m².
- Representative buildings — bank headquarters, hotels, where brand image requires glass transparency.
- Historically sensitive projects — where new casing must be visually neutral.
- Specialised zones — hospital evacuation zones (EI 60-120) with fire-safe curtain wall requirement.
Ventilated Facade is Better Solution When...
- Industrial, logistics or warehouse buildings — large masses, small glazing area (10-25%). Operating cost minimisation priority.
- High-rise with passive house or NZEB requirements — U ≤ 0.20 W/m²K mandatory. TCO critical over 30-50 year perspective.
- Public buildings — schools, hospitals, social housing with high fire safety requirement (LBN 201-15).
- Hotels and residential complexes in Scandinavia — acoustic insulation against transport noise, environmental certificates (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB).
- Renovation projects — existing wall not insulated, need to add external insulation + finish.
Hybrid Solution
Many 2025-2026 Scandinavian and Latvian projects use strategic hybrid: lower floors with ventilated facade (stone, office zones), middle floors with curtain wall (open office areas), upper floors again with ventilated facade for thermal properties.
Hybrid benefit: reduces total curtain wall volume by 40-60%, providing 25-35% savings in facade budget, while maintaining prestige expression where needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Curtain Wall Colder Indoors in Winter Than Ventilated Facade?
Depends on specification. Modern 3-pane curtain wall with HI+ profiles achieves Ucw ≈ 0.9, approximately 4× worse than ventilated facade (Ucw ≈ 0.20). But architecturally this is compensated by large solar gain (sun heat acceptance) in winter months. Net result: commercial office building in Latvia with modern curtain wall can achieve B or even A energy efficiency class if properly designed.
How Often Does Curtain Wall Need Cleaning?
In commercial office building in Stockholm or Riga centre: 4-6× per year exterior and 2-4× per year interior cleaning. Industrial environment (near factories): 6-10× per year. In Scandinavia winter months typically prevent cleaning due to low temperatures. Average costs: €4-8/m² per cleaning visit.
Can You Add Ventilated Facade to Existing Curtain Wall?
Technically possible but rarely financially justified. Considered when existing curtain wall is not energy efficient and wrapped with ventilated facade, but this blocks curtain wall transparency. More practical solution is replacing existing curtain wall with next-generation system.
How Often Are Panels Changed in Ventilated Facade?
Stone and ceramic practically never (50-100 year lifespan). HPL composite 25-35 years. Aluminium composite ACM 30-40 years. Wood finish 15-25 years depending on wood type and maintenance.
What is Full Facade Warranty from Finestra Solution?
Material warranty — 10 years, according to manufacturer standards (Schüco, Aluprof, Procural). Installation work warranty — 5 years. Glazing system air-tightness warranty — 10 years. Powder coating durability — 25 years (Qualicoat class). For specific projects warranty conditions can be customised.
Summary
Choice between curtain wall and ventilated facade is not unambiguous — it is a strategic decision, depending on project function, budget, location and long-term owner goals.
Key Trends:
- Initial costs: ventilated facade wins
- Long-term costs (TCO): ventilated facade wins
- Energy efficiency (U-value): ventilated facade wins
- Aesthetics and prestige: curtain wall wins
- Natural light: curtain wall wins
- Acoustic insulation: ventilated facade wins
- Fire safety in high-rise: ventilated facade wins
- Material diversity: ventilated facade wins
- Installation speed: curtain wall wins (unitised)
Best Practice: Combine both systems in major projects, using each one's advantages in specific zones. Finestra Solution successfully applies this strategy for both Scandinavian office buildings and Latvian commercial structures.
How Finestra Solution Can Help
Our team has 10+ years experience in designing, supplying and installing both curtain wall and ventilated facade solutions. We work with leading European manufacturers' systems:
- Schüco — premium curtain wall and window systems
- Aluprof — versatile curtain wall solutions (MB-SR50N, MB-SE65)
- Procural — aluminium window, door and facade systems (PE96HI, PF152 series)
Free project consultation includes:
- Energy efficiency simulation (PHPP or dynamic BIM analysis)
- TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) comparison between 2-3 alternatives
- LBN and EU regulation compliance analysis
- Production and assembly timeline forecast
Contact our engineers by emailing info@finestrasolution.com or calling +371 20 510 502 — we will provide advice in the first 30-minute consultation.