Façade renovation is increasingly important as buildings are upgraded for better energy performance, improved appearance and extended service life. Existing buildings, however, often present unique technical challenges. Substrates, dimensions, tolerances and material combinations can differ considerably from new construction.
Bonded façade systems offer significant advantages in retrofit projects. Lightweight substructures, invisible fixing and flexible installation methods can reduce intervention in the existing building while providing considerable architectural freedom.
TWEHA supports renovation projects with bonding solutions tailored to different façade materials. Depending on the new cladding, TWEHA PanelMate, TWEHA StoneMate, TWEHA MetalMate or TWEHA GlassMate can form part of a durable ventilated façade solution, subject to assessment of the existing construction and substrates.
Looking for more technical background?
Our Knowledge Box contains articles that provide additional insight into the principles, design considerations and practical aspects related to this application. From façade design and substructure to bonding, movement, durability and installation, these articles offer useful technical context for designers, engineers, contractors and façade specialists.
Explore the selected articles below for further guidance and in-depth information.
TWEHA PanelMate is a homogenous, highly elastic, one-component high-end hybrid-polymer smooth adhesive, and specially designed for use with various panels and wall cladding materials, such as high-pressure laminate (HPL), porous substrates, fiber cement boards (FCB), etc..
Its unique formulation provides the highest values for adhesion, tensile and shear strength. The use of an aggressive adhesive primer is unnecessary, which results in significant savings in time and money.
TWEHA StoneMate is a homogeneous, highly elastic, one-component high-end hybrid-polymer adhesive, specially developed for the durable bonding of natural stone, ceramic, porcelain and other mineral-based façade materials.
It is particularly suitable for gauged porcelain tile panels, ceramics, concrete and natural materials. By replacing traditional point fixings with an elastic bonded connection, loads can be distributed across the supporting structure while allowing greater design freedom and cleaner façade detailing.
Because natural stone, ceramics and their surface treatments can vary considerably, the compatibility of the complete bonding system with the specific façade material must always be verified against TWEHA’s tested and approved substrates.
TWEHA MetalMate is a homogeneous, highly elastic, one-component high-end hybrid-polymer adhesive, specially developed for bonding metal façade and wall cladding materials.
TWEHA MetalMate is designed for materials including Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), aluminum, stainless steel, steel, zinc and copper. Its permanent elasticity is particularly important in metal façades, where substantial dimensional movement can occur because of temperature fluctuations and differences in thermal expansion.
Instead of restraining this movement through rigid point fixings, TWEHA MetalMate creates a continuous elastic connection capable of accommodating movement between the metal façade panel and supporting structure.
TWEHA GlassMate is a homogeneous, highly elastic, one-component high-end hybrid-polymer adhesive, specially developed for the durable structural bonding of tempered glass and other approved glass façade materials.
The system makes it possible to create clean and visually uninterrupted glass façades without visible screws, rivets, clamps or conventional framing interfering with the architectural appearance. TWEHA specifically positions GlassMate for tempered glass and other glass types used as wall cladding materials.
TWEHA’s tested and approved database also includes glass-related substrates such as enameled glass, underlining the importance of selecting the adhesive system according to the exact glass construction and surface finish.
TWEHA Cleaner+ is a transparent, neutral universal cleaner and degreaser, specially selected for the preparation of surfaces before bonding, sealing or finishing.
Clean, dry and grease-free surfaces are essential for reliable adhesive bonding. TWEHA Cleaner+ efficiently removes grease, dirt and uncured adhesive residues and evaporates completely without leaving an oily film. It is therefore an essential component in the preparation of substrates used within TWEHA Bonding Systems.
TWEHA Cleaner+ can be used on a wide range of materials, including aluminum, wood, synthetic fibre and cement-based substrates. Unlike aggressive degreasers, it has no appreciable effect on the surface of façade panels when used in accordance with the TWEHA application instructions.
TWEHA Tape is a highly flexible, double-sided self-adhesive foam tape, specially developed for use as an integral component of TWEHA Bonding Systems for rainscreen and ventilated façade cladding.
With a standard thickness of 3 mm and width of 12 mm, TWEHA Tape provides the initial fixation of the façade panel during installation and, at the same time, acts as a spacer to ensure the minimum required adhesive bead thickness of 3 mm.
Its high flexibility allows the tape to adapt to minor surface irregularities while providing reliable positioning of the panel during installation. TWEHA Tape also prevents absorption and the ingress of moisture and is designed to be used in combination with the appropriate TWEHA adhesive and surface-preparation products.
TWEHA Blacken is a specially developed black coating for aluminum supporting profiles used in ventilated and rainscreen façade constructions.
With open-jointed façade systems, the natural bright or shiny appearance of mill-finished aluminum profiles can remain visible between the cladding panels and interfere with the desired architectural appearance. Black anodized aluminum provides a solution but can add considerable cost. TWEHA Blacken offers a practical alternative by creating a uniform black surface on the visible parts of the aluminum supporting structure.
Unlike conventional decorative paint, TWEHA Blacken has been developed specifically for this application. The coating must not only adhere durably to aluminum but may also form part of the bonding surface onto which the TWEHA adhesive system is subsequently applied. This makes adhesion performance an essential characteristic of the product.
TWEHA PreFix X-tra is a high-performance, two-component epoxy surface improver, specially developed for the pre-treatment of porous façade and cladding materials such as fiber cement, natural stone and other mineral-based substrates.
Porous materials can absorb and transport moisture through their internal pore structure. Under long-term exposure, moisture at or close to the adhesive interface may adversely affect the durability of the bonded connection. TWEHA PreFix X-tra penetrates and closes the pores at the bonding surface, creating a more stable and controlled interface for the TWEHA adhesive system.
Unlike a conventional adhesion primer, TWEHA PreFix X-tra is primarily a surface improver. Its function is to modify and stabilize the porous substrate and reduce the influence of moisture at the bonding interface rather than compensate for insufficient adhesive performance.
TWEHA Primer #1 is a specially developed surface pre-treatment for the bonding side of façade panels and other substrates where coatings, finishes or other surface treatments may result in relatively low surface energy and consequently insufficient direct adhesion.
Modern façade panels are available with an increasing variety of coatings, protective finishes and factory-applied surface treatments. Although these layers may provide excellent decorative or protective properties, their surface characteristics can adversely affect the wetting and adhesion of an adhesive.
TWEHA Primer #1 creates a stable and consistent bonding interface between such critical surfaces and the TWEHA adhesive, improving the conditions required to achieve a durable adhesive connection.
TWEHA SyntheticPrimer is a specially developed surface pre-treatment for synthetic supporting structures and supporting surfaces with a synthetic or polymer-based finish, where direct adhesive bonding may be limited by a relatively low surface energy.
Many plastics and polymer-based surface finishes have surface characteristics that make reliable wetting and adhesion difficult. TWEHA SyntheticPrimer modifies the bonding surface and creates a smooth, consistent and stable interface onto which the TWEHA adhesive can be applied.
TWEHA SyntheticPrimer is particularly intended for supporting structures manufactured from synthetic materials or provided with a plastic-related surface. Certain powder coatings are also considered polymer-based surfaces from an adhesive-bonding perspective and may therefore require this type of pre-treatment. Due to the large variation in plastic and coating formulations, durable adhesion must always be verified by testing before use.
Correct adhesive bonding depends not only on the adhesive system itself, but also on accurate application, controlled working conditions and the right installation tools.
TWEHA therefore offers a range of professional tools specifically selected to support the correct, efficient and safe application of TWEHA Bonding Systems — from adhesive dispensing and climate monitoring to façade panel removal and full-surface adhesive application.
We replace screws and anchors with intelligent adhesive solutions. The result: cleaner facades, faster installation and long-term performance you can rely on.
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