A facade is the exterior wall of a building — the ‘face’ of your house. The facade protects the building from weather and wind, provides insulation, and largely determines the building’s appearance. For DIY projects, you’ll deal with facades during maintenance, repointing, painting and insulation work.
Types of facades
| Type | Construction | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Cavity wall | Two walls with air gap between | Standard in NL since ~1920, insulation in cavity |
| Solid wall | Single thick wall | Older homes, poor insulation |
| Timber frame | Wooden frame + cladding | Fast construction, good insulation possible |
| Brick facade | Exposed brickwork | Classic, frequent joint maintenance |
| Rendered facade | Masonry + render/stucco | Smooth appearance, risk of cracking |
| Facade cladding | Wood panels, composite, fibre cement | Renovation, modern look |
Facade components
A facade consists of several parts:
- Plinth/base — The bottom section, often a different material (bluestone, concrete)
- Parapets — The masonry below windows
- Window/door frames — The openings
- Lintels — Support beams above openings
- Fascia boards — Trim at the roof edge
- Cornice — The transition from facade to roof
Facade maintenance for DIYers
| Job | Frequency | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Check mortar joints | Annually | Loose or eroded joints need repointing |
| Paintwork | Every 5-7 years | Woodwork, fascia boards, frames |
| Facade cleaning | Every few years | Algae growth, efflorescence |
| Cavity wall insulation | One-time | Only for uninsulated cavities |
| Check for cracks | Annually | Hairline cracks are normal, structural cracks are not |
Common mistakes
- Painting facade with non-breathable paint — Moisture can’t escape, facade rots from inside
- Raking joints with an angle grinder — Damages the bricks; use a joint scraper
- Pressure washer on old joints — Blasts out the mortar
Related terms
- Cavity wall
- Bond pattern
- Mortar joints
- Fascia board
- Plinth
- Window frame
- Insulation value (R-value)