A facade is an element that must retain its technical and aesthetic properties for decades. Therefore, when selecting a material, both the raw materials from which the product is made and the parameters confirmed by research, testing, and certification are of key importance. When it comes to facade solutions, it is also important how the material behaves over time—including its visual appearance.
Swisspearl fiber-cement facade panels are a material that combines technical requirements with predictable surface aging, allowing for the design of facades with a controlled aesthetic over the long term. The Swiss company specializes in ventilated facade systems.
The durability of fiber-cement is determined by its composition
Fiber-cement facade panels are made from cement, cellulose, water, and reinforcing fibers, and air is also present in the material’s structure. These components are mixed into a homogeneous mass, which is then formed, pressed, cut, dried, and colored. As Witold Szaniawski, Swisspearl Polska’s representative for the Eastern Macroregion, notes, durability and consistency result directly from the combination of the formulation and manufacturing technology.
“If we use the correct installation system, we’ll get a solution that will last for many years, based on a material that retains its functional and aesthetic properties even after decades of use, ” emphasizes Szaniawski.
In practice, fiber-cement does not require impregnation like wood, does not suffer from the surface degradation typical of plaster, and is not subject to the acoustic effects characteristic of sheet metal.
Quality Confirmed by Standards
As Tomasz Trzciński, Swisspearl’s representative for the Northern Macroregion, points out, the material’s durability is determined primarily by its mechanical and physical parameters, such as compressive and tensile strength, water absorption, corrosion resistance, and reaction to fire.
“ Quality is confirmed by standards and certifications, including the CE marking, which guarantees compliance with the requirements of European Union directives. For fiber-cement, the key standard is EN 12467, which specifies technical requirements and product evaluation criteria,” says Trzciński.
Fire safety is also a significant aspect. As Paweł Tomkiewicz, Swisspearl’s representative for the Southern Macroregion, emphasizes, Swisspearl fiber-cement panels achieve an A2-s1,d0 classification, which means very limited contribution to a fire as well as minimal smoke emission.
— This translates into broad design freedom and the absence of additional restrictions resulting from the fire reaction class — says Tomkiewicz.
Riverviev, Gdańsk, Angielska Grobla Street, design: APA Wojciechowski — An example of fiber-cement use on a facade in an environment with increased exposure to moisture and variable weather conditions, where material durability is of key importance.
© Swisspearl
Durability in Use
One benchmark for assessing durability is the Swisspearl office building in Trzemeszno, completed on the premises of the production plant in 2015. After 11 years of service in an industrial environment, the facade requires no maintenance and retains its stable appearance and performance characteristics.
The material’s climatic performance further confirms its durability.
“ The material’s resistance to climatic conditions is crucial; compliance with Category A of the EN 12467 standard confirms the panels’ full resistance to moisture, high temperatures, and severe frost. This is particularly important in Polish conditions, where facades are subjected to regular freeze-thaw cycles,” says Szaniawski.
Quality Control as a Continuous Process
The comprehensive quality control system includes laboratory testing and ongoing verification of product compliance with standards.
— During the production process, special attention is paid to the uniformity of the material’s structure, the dimensional stability of the panels, and the quality of the surface finish. The result of this approach is the repeatability of performance characteristics and the predictability of the material’s behavior throughout the facade’s entire life cycle,” emphasizes Waldemar Kantczak, president of Swisspearl Polska.
Tomasz Lisiecki
For more information, visit the SWISSPEARL POLSKA company page on the PdA portal.
