Materials used in enclosures and facades play a substantial role in building construction at an aesthetic and functional level. The synergy of climate agents, use-related anthropic activities, harmful interventions, vandalism and other factors show deterioration. In the case of the Historical Centre of Cuenca (Ecuador), this picture has been understudied, so this investigation sets out an approximation of (a) the architectural analysis of 35 envelopes, (b) the classification of injuries, (c) the environmental impact assessment and (d) the proposed application of legislation for analytical studies prior to intervention. 14 historical use materials with severe and moderate conditions are identified; the most widely used and affected are ceramics, earths and vitreous, as well as wood and travertine at a particular level. It sets out the sensitivity of materials to the environment and the demand for technical policies for their knowledge and treatment. Due to their inferential capacity, 5 enclosures are considered as the starting point for the internationally compliant analytical study.