Rainscreen facades have become a defining feature of modern UK buildings. From university campuses to commercial developments, these systems combine design flexibility with practical performance to enhance energy efficiency, protect against weathering, and enable distinctive visual identities.
But as more buildings adopt complex rainscreen systems, the importance of long-term facade restoration and restorative cleaning grows.
In this article, we explore the rise of rainscreen cladding systems and why commercial facade cleaning is essential for maintaining both form and function.
A brief history of rainscreen systems
The rainscreen principle has existed for centuries, with the earliest example – a Norwegian church – dating back as far as 1130.
Norwegian engineers of the day developed the facade system using timber cladding. By utilising a tight seam between boards, an air cavity with ventilation at the top and bottom enabled rainfall to flow away and moisture to evaporate into the eaves above.
By the 1960s, engineers had formalised the concept of pressure-equalised cladding. This prevented wind-driven rain from breaching the facade by allowing air to circulate behind the outer skin.
Today, rainscreens are a standard element in both new builds and refurbishments across the UK. Their ability to control moisture, reduce thermal bridging, and meet strict fire regulations makes them a smart long-term investment, especially in commercial environments.
Notably, the European market for rainscreen cladding accounted for 30% of the total rainscreen market in 2023. Analysts predict the market to grow by around 6% annually until 2030.
Recent UK projects using rainscreen cladding
Projects like Anglia Ruskin University’s Peterborough campus illustrate the role of rainscreens in modern design. Its “Living Lab” uses perforated aluminium panels to deliver solar shading while supporting low-energy performance targets.
The rainscreen façade at Anglia Ruskin University’s Peterborough campus incorporates perforated solar veil panels, providing solar protection with visibility through a unique motif. Image credit: Richard Fraser Photography
Elsewhere, Discovery Quay in Salford demonstrates how standard metal cladding panels can be arranged creatively, forming a distinctive basket-weave pattern that transforms the building’s appearance.
In both cases, ongoing cladding cleaning and maintenance will be crucial in preserving the architectural intent and ensuring performance over time
The rainscreen façade at Discovery Quay in Salford includes multi-depth panels to create a 3D effect. Image credit: Sotech Optima
Improved designs for commercial facades
One reason rainscreen cladding has exploded in popularity is the incredible design flexibility it affords in combination with its practical benefits. Architects are no longer limited to uniform brick or concrete exteriors. With rainscreens, the creative possibilities for a building’s appearance are almost endless.
This will continue to evolve in 2025 with trends leaning into bold visuals and customisation. Material variety is a big part of this.
Rainscreen facades can be made from metal (aluminium, steel, zinc), glass, ceramics, terracotta, fibre cement, high-pressure laminates, stone, and composites. Each of these materials comes in different textures and colours. For instance, fibre cement and HPL panels can mimic natural wood or stone grain or be produced in vivid solid colours that stay bright for decades.
This range of options gives designers the palette to achieve almost any look whether they want a sleek modernist curtain-wall effect or a warm natural timber feel.
In the UK, we often see architects playing with this variety to ensure new buildings have distinct identities.
Global innovation in commercial facades and cladding
The UK is very much plugged into the global developments in facade technology. Many of the rainscreen trends here are part of a wider international movement in architecture toward safer, greener, and smarter building envelopes.
Conversely, some innovations pioneered abroad are making their way into UK projects as demand grows. One major international influence is the focus on climate-responsive facades – something we’ve covered extensively in our recent blog.
In parts of North America and Asia, we’ve seen the rise of smart cladding materials. For example, panels with thermochromic coatings that change colour or transparency with temperature, or photochromic glass that tints in response to sunlight
These technologies can dynamically regulate solar gain, effectively helping to cool or warm a building as needed.
Looking ahead into 2026 and beyond
As rainscreen systems become more widely adopted, three trends are shaping the market:
- Regulatory Compliance
Materials for buildings above 18 metres must meet Euroclass A1/A2 standards. This has led to wider use of fibre cement panels, mineral-core composites, and other non-combustible options that often require specialist facade cleaning and maintenance. - Sustainability
Facades contribute up to 31% of a building’s embodied carbon. As developers aim for net-zero, recyclable materials and low-impact finishes are increasingly specified. These still require effective commercial facade cleaning to extend their lifecycle and reduce environmental impact. - Green Infrastructure and Smart Technologies
Living walls, integrated solar panels, and dynamic shading are becoming more common on rainscreen facades. These technologies require careful upkeep, and in many cases, cladding restoration may involve both aesthetic and technical maintenance.
Why facade restoration matters more than ever
Advanced facade systems should be maintained with the same attention to detail that went into their design.
Over time, pollution, weathering, and biological growth can degrade the appearance and performance of rainscreen cladding particularly on busy urban or coastal sites.
At See Brilliance, we provide specialist facade restoration and cladding cleaning services tailored to modern building materials. Our processes are safe, sustainable, and fully compatible with coated metals, stone, glass and composite panels.
We offer a viable alternative to full respraying or replacement, helping commercial clients protect the integrity of their facade while controlling costs and environmental impact.
Our services include:
- Restorative cleaning of aluminium, glass, stone and composite facades
- DOFF Steam Cleaning and TORC Cleaning systems
- On-site facade restoration surveys and restoration planning
- Ongoing commercial facade cleaning and restoration programmes tailored to your property
Talk to our facade restoration specialists
If your rainscreen cladding is beginning to show signs of wear or if you’re planning ahead for long-term maintenance, get in touch. Our team can advise on the most effective approach to facade cleaning and help protect the value of your property.
See Brilliance has over 30 years of experience in restorative cleaning and cladding restoration for commercial buildings across the UK.
Contact us today to arrange a site assessment or to learn more about how we can support your building’s facade over its full lifecycle.