Have you ever wondered if your building’s facade is keeping up with today’s energy standards?
Or maybe you’ve noticed drafts, uncomfortable temperatures, or maintenance issues. Many building owners and managers are facing the same challenges—and the good news is, retrofitting the building envelope is a powerful way to address them.
In today’s world, updating your building’s exterior isn’t just about appearances; it’s about meeting tougher energy codes, enhancing safety, and making indoor spaces more comfortable for everyone.
In this article, we’ll walk through some of the key trends in retrofitting curtain walls, rainscreen systems, and insulated panels, and why these upgrades make a real difference in urban settings.
Curtain Wall Upgrades: Beyond Just Repairs
If your building has a curtain wall, chances are it’s due for more than just a patch-up. Modern retrofits focus on making these glass and metal facades smarter and stronger. Plus, new materials and anchoring techniques can improve fire resistance and withstand more extreme weather, which are important considerations with today’s safety codes.
Rainscreen Systems: Keeping the Moisture Out
Rainscreen create an air gap behind the façade that lets water drain away and the wall dry out naturally, helping to prevent moisture damage over time. Modern cladding materials like terracotta panels or mineral composites not only look great but are also tough and eco-friendly, with lower carbon footprints. And because these systems improve the building’s insulation and airtightness, they also help lower energy use.
Insulated Panels: Elevating Thermal Performance
Old, insulated panels might not do enough to keep your building warm or cool. Upgrading to panels with thicker insulation and better vapor barriers can greatly improve interior comfort.
Thinking Big: A Whole-Building Approach
Instead of fixing one issue here and another there, professionals are now using energy modeling and digital tools to plan retrofits that address energy efficiency, moisture, resilience, and air quality all at once.
Why Now? Incentives and Codes are Making a Difference
With energy codes getting stricter and incentives like tax credits and rebates available, retrofitting has never made more sense financially.
So, are you ready to rethink your building’s exterior? Is now the time to invest in upgrades that protect your asset, save energy, and delight tenants? Modernizing your building envelope is an investment in safety, performance, and comfort that pays off in both the short and long term—making urban buildings better places to live and work.
Prioritize Your Envelope Inspection with Building Envelope Consultants Today!
No one likes surprises. Hiring building envelope consultants to do an inspection and give you a report only to realize during the restoration that the budget you were given isn’t enough to complete the project can create unnecessary problems and possibly damage reputations.
We take a very holistic and thorough approach to building envelope inspection, forensic investigation, reporting and estimating of repair costs. Our staff includes engineers with expertise in both structural and building envelope engineering. In addition, several of our engineers have construction experience including management, estimating and scheduling. We are also backed up by very reputable restoration contractors with real-time cost data. Contact us today to learn more!