Glass Facades
The modern default. Glass curtain walls deliver daylight and skyline presence — balanced with solar control and thermal performance on the glass spec.
Facade Material Comparison Guide
Aluminum, steel, glass, stone, terracotta, GRC, metal panels — every facade material is a trade-off. This guide compares the mainstream cladding materials on the criteria that actually drive procurement decisions.
Cost & Weight
Fire Safety
Durability
Aesthetic Range
Comparison
Material comparison at a glance
Relative rankings for typical commercial facades. Exact values depend on system design, coating, thickness and fabrication — Hanart confirms per project.
| Material | Relative Cost | Weight (kg/m²) | Fire Class | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACP / ACM panels | Low | 3–8 | B1–A2 (core dependent) | 15–25 yr coating | Flexible 2D panels, low budget |
| Aluminum panels | Low–Med | 5–12 | A2–A1 | 25+ yr PVDF | Flat & curved metal skins |
| Stick/unitized glass | Med | 25–50 | Per glazing assembly | 30+ yr engineered | Transparency, towers |
| Steel (slim) | Med–High | 30–60 | A1 | 25+ yr protected | Slim sightlines, long spans |
| Terracotta | Med–High | 28–45 | A1 | 50+ yr color-fast | Earth-tone rainscreens |
| GRC | Med–High | 20–30 | A1 | 50+ yr | Sculpted 3D geometry |
| Natural stone | High | 60–120 | A1 | 50+ yr | Prestige, unique veining |
Decision Framework
How to choose your facade material
1. Define the look
Is the design about transparency (glass), mass (stone/GRC/concrete), warmth (terracotta/metal wood-look) or precision (aluminum lines)? The aesthetic defines the material shortlist.
2. Check the budget band
Strip out the materials above your per-m² envelope budget early. ACP and aluminum start low; stone, stainless and premium systems rise steeply.
3. Apply the code filters
Fire class, wind load, seismic and energy code requirements eliminate options fast. Non-combustible A1/A2 assemblies are increasingly mandatory on high-rises.
4. Test the real cost
Material price is only a fraction: system, fabrication, installation and maintenance decide total cost. A quotation in one material system, not per sheet, is the honest measure.
Deep Dives
Material-by-material guidance
Aluminum & Metal
Aluminum cladding and ACP panels are the cost-effective workhorses for flat and curved geometries with long coating life.
Slim Steel
Steel curtain walls trade cost for slenderness — the premium choice when sightlines must disappear.
Stone Cladding
Natural stone remains the prestige material — granite, marble, limestone with engineered anchor systems for seismic safety.
Terracotta & Ceramic
Terracotta rainscreens bring warm, color-fast surfaces with A1 fire class and self-cleansing glaze at moderate cost.
GRC & Precast
GRC panels offer stone-like finishes with the geometric freedom of casting — at a fraction of precast concrete weight.
FAQ
Material comparison questions, answered
For panel cladding, ACP/ACM aluminum composite and metal panel systems are typically the lowest cost per square meter. Stick built aluminum glass curtain walls are the cost baseline for glazed facades. Final cost depends on system, performance target and fabrication complexity.
Non-combustible materials: stone, solid aluminum, steel, glass-reinforced concrete (GRC), terracotta and fire-rated glazing are A1/A2 class options. Fire performance also depends on the assembly — cavity barriers, insulation choice and fixings determine the real-world fire behavior of the whole wall.
Aluminum is lighter, corrosion-resistant and cheaper, the default for curtain walls. Steel offers higher strength per section size — slimmer sightlines and longer spans — at higher cost per square meter, with corrosion protection required in coastal environments.
Natural stone (granite, marble, limestone) offers prestige and unique veining at high cost and weight. Terracotta delivers a similar earth-tone language with consistent color, lower weight and lower cost. GRC offers the most geometric freedom and stone-like finishes at the lightest weight of the three.
Glass and smooth metal panels clean most easily; terracotta's glaze is self-cleansing. Stone and GRC may need sealed-surface maintenance. All facades need periodic sealant inspection — Hanart provides a maintenance schedule with every project and aftercare service across regions.
Get a material recommendation for your project
Send your design intent and budget band. We'll compare 2-3 material systems with cost, performance and program — before you commit.