Why facades wear out
In Israel facades suffer three lines of attack: strong sun that fades colors and breaks down synthetic materials, winter humidity that seeps into concrete and cracks, and in coastal areas salt that erodes metals and stains stone. The natural pace of facade wear in Israel is faster than in Europe.
The most destructive catalyst is water infiltration. Every small crack lets water reach the structural wall, contact rebar, rust, expand, and damage further. It is a destructive cycle that starts small and ends with expensive structural repairs.
Signs it is time for renovation
There are clear visual signs every building owner can recognize. If you see one or more, schedule a professional assessment.
- Horizontal or vertical cracks in plaster, especially near window openings
- Plaster areas detaching or falling
- Significant color fade or appearance of stains
- Interior moisture in living spaces adjacent to exterior walls
- Broken stone, missing pieces, or significant color change
- Rusted rebar visible through wall surfaces
- Repeated resident complaints about facade condition
How much does facade renovation cost?
There are three levels of facade renovation, each suiting a different situation. The choice depends on existing facade condition, budget, and how long you plan to hold the building.
Cheapest: repainting only. Costs about 80 to 150 NIS per sqm. Suits facades in relatively good condition with appearance issues only. Lasts 6 to 10 years before redoing. Does not solve structural problems.
Mid-range: fresh acrylic plaster with localized repairs. Costs 220 to 350 NIS per sqm. Suits situations with localized cracks needing repair. Lasts 8 to 12 years. Still requires renewal in a decade.
The expensive and right option: full re-cladding with a rear ventilated facade system. Costs a project-specific figure in Alucobond FR or A2. Lasts 25 years or more, solves the moisture problem completely and adds a thermal insulation layer the other two cannot.
What sets the price
We do not publish price bands, because the number changes from project to project. These are the factors that move it most:
- Facade geometry. The number of openings, corners and folds per m². A large flat elevation costs far less per m² than a detailed one.
- Substrate condition. On an existing building this is the hardest item to judge remotely, and the one that surprises people in cheap quotations.
- Access equipment. Standard scaffolding, a suspended platform or rope access. At height this is a significant line of its own.
- Panel grade and finish. Fire-retardant or mineral core, and a standard finish versus metallic, wood-effect or a custom RAL colour.
- Project size. A larger area lowers the cost per m² through repetition and installation efficiency.
A binding quotation follows a discovery call and a site visit, in writing and itemised line by line. Book a site visit.
Prices exclude scaffolding (a further 10 to 20 percent), removal of existing cladding, and concrete and rebar repair. On a building with 800 m² of facade: repaint a project-specific figure, new render a project-specific figure, full re-clad a project-specific figure. The full cost breakdown is in our Alucobond cladding cost guide, and the 25-year comparison against render and stone is in Alucobond vs traditional cladding.
Why full re-cladding is the right investment
Counterintuitively, the cheapest option seems most logical. In practice, over a 15-year horizon, full re-cladding is cheapest. The reason: painting that must be redone every 8 years totals three rounds of labor, scaffolding, and ancillary costs per round. Full re-cladding is done once.
A second advantage: full re-cladding allows adding thermal insulation to the facade, reducing heating and cooling costs by about 30 percent. As electricity prices rise, this is meaningful savings collected every year. Residential buildings with thermal cladding receive improved energy ratings and higher sale prices.
The renovation process step by step
A facade renovation project begins with a professional assessment of existing conditions. An engineer checks plaster integrity, rebar condition, cracks, moisture. Based on findings, the plan is set: what to repair, what to replace, what cladding to choose.
After board and authority approvals (planning permission sometimes needed), preparation begins: scaffolding, removal of loose plaster, concrete repairs. The installation itself (full Alucobond cladding) takes 8 to 14 weeks for an average building. Life in apartments continues normally, only scaffolding outside.
| Building size | Approximate facade area | Scaffolding to handover | Resident evacuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa or private house | 250 to 500 m² | 6 to 9 weeks | Not required |
| 6 floors, 24 apartments | 700 to 900 m² | 10 to 14 weeks | Not required |
| 10 floors | 1,200 to 1,600 m² | 14 to 20 weeks | Not required |
Key takeaways
- Three levels: repaint 80 to 150, new render 220 to 350, full re-clad a project-specific figure.
- Scaffolding is not included and adds 10 to 20 percent.
- Multi-unit buildings: a 75 percent majority of apartment owners is required to approve.
- No resident evacuation. All work is carried out from outside.
- Average building: 10 to 14 weeks from scaffolding to handover.
Full service detail: facade renovation for existing buildings. If the building is entering an urban renewal scheme, see facade upgrade in Tama 38 and urban renewal projects. Official information is published by the Government Authority for Urban Renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Do residents need to evacuate during facade renovation?
No, in most cases. Exterior cladding work is performed from external scaffolding without requiring access to apartments. Residents will see scaffolding at windows for a few months and experience moderate noise during working hours. No evacuation required. Only when there are structural issues requiring ceiling access does individual coordination occur.
How long does a building facade renovation take?
A mid-size residential building (6 floors, 24 units) takes 10 to 14 weeks from scaffolding start to full completion. A larger building (10 floors) takes 14 to 20 weeks. Coordination with the building committee on a realistic timeline is critical for proper project flow.
Who pays for facade renovation in a multi-unit building?
All residents, per ownership share of common areas. A 75 percent majority is required to approve renovation. In urban renewal projects (Tama 38), the developer bears the full cost in exchange for additional building rights. In non-renewal buildings, long-term bank financing is a common option.
Are there financing or tax benefits for facade renovation?
In specific cases. Renovation in urban renewal projects (Tama 38) includes full financing from the developer. Banks provide dedicated renovation loans for building committees. Commercial building renovation expenses are deductible. Consult a tax advisor before starting a large project.
