By Rita Catinella Orrell
These curtain wall and glazing solutions help architects keep building views at a premium without sacrificing thermal efficiency, structural integrity, and sun control.
CRL-US Aluminum
Unit-Glazed Systems
crlaurence.com
CRL-U.S. Aluminum’s new Unit-Glazed Systems for installing commercial storefronts and window walls allow glaziers to fabricate in their own shop environments, reducing field labor by as much as 50 percent while accelerating the installation process. The manufacturer’s Unit Split mullions and Gravity Loaded sill flashing enable installers to easily snap each Unit-Glazed section together in the field. All Unit-Glazed Systems have been fully tested and approved for structural integrity and air and water infiltration. Shown here is the Encore Condominiums project in Nashville by the Atlanta-based firm Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates.
GLASSvent UT Windows
Kawneer
kawneer.com
Featuring a visually concealed vent designed for seamless integration with the framing system, GLASSvent UT windows create a complete, advanced thermal solution for commercial construction. The windows are ideal for architects looking to provide fresh-air ventilation without decreasing the overall thermal rating of the facade. Engineered for integration with Kawneer’s 1600UT System 1 curtain wall, GLASSvent can also be inserted into the manufacturer’s captured curtain wall and front set storefront framing systems.
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope
Reliance-HTC
oldcastlebe.com
The Reliance-HTC thermal curtain wall system from Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope features outside glazing with captured and Structural Silicone Glazed (SSG) vertical mullions, offering superior thermal separation through the use of insulating strips on all vertical and horizontal members. Reliance-HTC can meet ASHRAE climate zones 1–8 and is offered in 7-1/4″ and 10″ depths for 1-3/4″ glazing. The system is also available in 7-1/2″ and 10-1/4″ depths for 2″ glazing and accepts Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope’s high performance AD-375 Thermal Door system as well as operable vents.
Solarban z75 Solar Control Glass
PPG
ppgideascapes.com
Solarban z75 is a solar control, low-e glass from PPG with a neutral, cool-gray tint that offers architects a good combination of visible light transmittance (VLT), solar-control, and glare-control characteristics. In a standard 1″ insulating glass unit, Solarban z75 glass has a VLT of 48 percent and a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.24, resulting in an exceptional light-to-solar gain (LSG) ration of 2.00, making it ideal for warmer climate zones with high air-conditioning demands and cooling-dominated costs. The glass has interior reflectance of just 9 percent, which helps provide building occupants with clear, natural outdoor views.
Tubelite
400 Series System
tubeliteinc.com
Utah State University’s recently completed 32,744-sf Wayne Estes Training Center, which houses the campus’ basketball practice facility and 1,400-seat volleyball court, was designed by VCBO Architecture and built by Oakland Construction. Glazing contractor Steel Encounters installed the Center’s signature exterior curtain wall using Tubelite’s 400 Series system. Ducworks added a stainless steel, laser-cut, bull-shaped “Aggie” logo to accent the building using Tubelite’s standard sunshade clips.
This post is online content for the November/December 2015 issue of Texas Architect.