Cladding on load-bearing masonry or concrete structures

The main advantage of cladding, whether mounted on wood or metal framing, is that it can be applied to a load-bearing structure with defects:

• flatness and verticality;

• heterogeneous construction (old masonry in the case of renovation work);

• waterproofing or tightness (e.g. cracked wall).

The framework thus put in place enables the reconstitution of a new vertical reference plane to receive a new skin.

Supporting sections are fastened to the supporting structure using anchors with variable-length and/or adjustable brackets (sliding angle brackets). Where the verticality and flatness of the supporting surface allow, the supporting profiles can be fastened directly to through fasteners. This is the case for simple cladding without thermal insulation.

In view of the flatness imperfections of direct fastening (without brackets), shims are almost always necessary, and must be made of resistant, durable materials.