Riyadh municipality prohibits the use of cladding in building facades-a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs and investors

In a strategic step aimed at enhancing the urban identity of Riyadh and raising the quality of the urban landscape, Riyadh Municipality issued an official decision to ban the use of cladding panels in the cladding of the external facades of buildings.

This decision is not only organizational, but also part of a broader vision aimed at making Riyadh a modern city with high architectural quality, compatible with the standards of sustainable urban beauty and the Saudi Vision 2030.

Reasons for banning cladding

Over the past years, cladding has been a popular choice in facade design thanks to its fashionable appearance and relatively affordable cost. However, field studies and practical experiments have shown several challenges, the most prominent of which are:

Material quality: there is a great disparity in the quality of cladding used in the market, which leads to deterioration of the appearance of facades over time.

Heat reflection: metal panels reflect sunlight, which increases the ambient temperature and affects the comfort of passers-by.

Visual integrity: some designs and colors do not fit into the visual identity of the city, which weakens the overall aesthetic landscape.

Limited shelf life: compared to alternative materials, cladding needs maintenance or replacement within a shorter period of time.

What does the decision mean for entrepreneurs

Legal obligation: all new designs must comply with the decision, and any violation may lead to rejection of the license application or stop the project.

Creative opportunity: the decision encourages innovation in the selection of new materials and technologies that give the building a distinctive and unique character.

Raising the value of the property: the use of more high-quality and visually attractive materials increases the attractiveness of the project for investors and buyers.

Proposed cladding alternatives

Instead of cladding, entrepreneurs can choose materials that are characterized by strength, beauty and harmony with the urban environment, such as:

Natural stone: gives the building luxury and warmth, is characterized by high durability.

Artificial stone: an economical and less weightless option with a similar appearance to natural stone.

Decorative concrete: provides flexibility in designs and multiple shapes suitable for modern projects.

Treated wood panels: adds a natural and warm touch, with weather resistance.

Ceramic and porcelain exterior: easy to maintain, gives stylish modern facades.

The role of the Office of "Abak engineering consulting"

As an accredited engineering consulting office in Riyadh, We at Abak engineering consulting constantly keep abreast of all decisions issued by official authorities, and provide comprehensive services that ensure compatibility with systems without sacrificing creativity and beauty.

Our services include:

Preparation of architectural designs for facades according to the standards of the urban code and the Saudi Building Code.

Provide specialized consultations to choose the ideal alternative materials for your project.

Preparing engineering plans and approving them electronically with the competent authorities.

Supervising the implementation to ensure compliance with the highest quality standards.

Why choose us

Extensive field experience in the implementation of residential and commercial projects.

Full compliance with the regulations to ensure that designs are accepted from the first time without delay.

Creative solutions that combine beauty, durability, and affordable cost.

An engineering and architectural team that possesses the latest tools and programs to provide innovative and effective designs.

📞 Contact us now for a free consultation on designing your interface according to the new regulations, and to see our business models that reflect the perfect balance between commitment, creativity, and quality.