Modern buildings are more than architectural masterpieces designed to balance structure and durability, they are climate-conscious constructs engineered for excellence and energy efficiency.
Beyond just meeting regulations, true engineering excellence ensures a building not only looks good but will perform well over time.
Passive design principles coupled with modern building materials can optimise a building’s overall performance. Real high-performance exteriors exhibit enhanced operational, safety, and sustainability standards due to careful material selection.
Advanced composite building materials are increasingly finding favour due to their design versatility and inherent performance properties.
BUILDING ENVELOPES AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE
Engineered building envelopes enhance climate control, comfort and convenience, reducing energy costs by up to 57%. In addition, they can improve thermal comfort by up to 49% just by optimising their facades.
Studies showed that shading devices such as louvres, fins and canopies can lower a building’s heat gains or losses by between 30 - 51% (depending on the device used) while optimising thermal comfort and daylight penetration. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, these structures significantly reduce the electricity required for cooling or heating, as well as lighting during operating hours.
Aside from improved energy efficiency, several other material considerations affect a building exterior’s performance, including: -
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE
Local climate conditions and temperature fluctuations exert a significant influence on outdoor structures. Sun, rain or salty sea air and pollution can potentially cause damage, corrosion or costly repairs or replacement to shutters, decks or pergolas. Exposure to heat or cold causes expansion and contraction on decks and beams and must be factored in according to MSDS guidelines. Similarly, wind-load capacity should be calculated carefully according to material safety standards for screens and cladding.
MATERIAL DURABILITY
Material selection plays a significant role on performance and durability given the demands on a structure. Materials must be impervious to rot and insect damage as well as weather resistant. Cleaning and maintenance costs can also be reduced by using self-cleaning, self-sealing or scratch-resistant products.
Eva-Last’s inorganic composition comprises recycled plastic combined with eco-friendly bamboo fibres that protects against pests and potential damage from water, weather or biodegradation, resulting in less repair and maintenance increasing the longevity of the materials and the installation. Lifespan’s hollow-core aluminium architectural beams offer a lightweight, corrosion resistant solution suitable for overhead structures such as pergolas, slatted screens, or even cladding applications.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
Eva-Last’s lightweight Lifespan aluminium architectural beams are ideal for shady structures such as shutters, screens or pergolas on exterior windows or balconies. Their hollow aluminium core guarantees superior strength-to-weight stability, while the protective polymer outer coating protects against UV- and water-damage ensuring they won’t rot, mould or deteriorate despite the weather.
Eva-Last’s Apex-Plus and Pioneer ranges of bamboo composite decks feature glass-fibre reinforced (GFR) cores allowing for extended spans and reduction in subsubstructure. The hidden fastener systems ensure a secure installation for a safe surface.
WEATHERPROOFING AND DRAINAGE
Insufficient drainage or pooling can ruin any exterior material. Ensure sufficient drainage, flashing and foundations, as well as expansion gaps on cladding, decking and fencing for optimal water flow and ventilation. VistaClad’s clip-strips attach to a sub-structure ensuring sufficient spacing between profiles whether installed horizontally or vertically, giving you the benefit of both ventilation and insulation.
AESTHETIC AGEING
The material should visibly age well with UV- resistance, colour stability and fade resistance despite weathering. Eva-Last’s bamboo-polymer acrylic and wear layer caps ensure that the natural wood-look tones and textures of all the products won’t fade or discolour in the sun or shade over time.
“Eva-Last’s range of advanced bamboo composite products are specifically designed with the latest material technology and advancements,” says Nathan Chapman, Vice President Brand and Channel Sales at Eva-Last.
“We are constantly looking for more innovative ways to improve our products and their performance for a better, more beautiful and enduring environment,” he concluded.
About Eva-Last®
Eva-Last is a globally recognised and trusted brand that manufactures and distributes specialised bamboo composite building products. Together with a wide range of advanced decking, cladding, fencing, architectural beams, fasteners and flooring products, Eva-Last also offers specialised support systems and expert advice, ensuring each and every build is designed to last. Eva-Last composite products and complimentary systems can be found in over 30 countries globally and have been an imperative part of some of the world’s largest building projects. As a global leader in composite building technology, Eva-Last ensures product quality and customer satisfaction with class-leading warranties. For the latest news, please follow Eva-Last on Facebook (Eva-Last Global), Instagram (evalastglobal), X (EvaLastGlobal), LinkedIn (Eva-Last Global),Flickr (Eva-Last), and Pinterest (EvaLastDecking), or view the brand's YouTube channel (EvaLast Global) for product information and installation guidelines.