DESIGNING WITH CURTAINWALL AND STOREFRONT

READ INFORMATION FROM SLIDE This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or ay method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. Thank you! READ INFORMATION FROM SLIDE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Definitions of Curtain Wall and Storefront Curtain Wall and Storefront applications Curtain Wall and Storefront profiles and dimensions Installation of Curtain Wall and Storefront Product Selection for your application

Curtain Wall: A “non-load bearing” exterior glazing system used to create the exterior skin of a building

Storefront: Aluminum and glass framing system typically used at ground floor locations of commercial buildings

CURTAIN WALL VS. STOREFRONT Multi-span locations Higher design pressures Greater than 10’ high Custom design features Storefront Single Span Typically less than 10’ tall Economical Narrower site-lines Narrower system depth

CURTAINWALL & STOREFRONT Typically erected and glazed on-site (Stick-built) Curtain Wall can be unitized and field erected

CURTAINWALL AND STOREFRONT COMPONENTS Profiles and depths will vary, but component names are fairly similar Some of the terminology……..

Head: The horizontal frame member which forms the top of a frame

Sill: The bottom horizontal in the framing system

Jamb: The vertical frame member forming the side of an opening, or the side of a door

Mullion: A vertical framing member separating fixed lights of glass

Intermediate Horizontal: The horizontal member used between two lites of glass

Pressure Plate: An exterior extrusion that is mechanically fastened to hold the glass in place in CURTAINWALL applications Pressure Plate

Cover: The finished snap on piece at the exterior of the building applied to the pressure plate Pressure Bar Cover Cover

Screw Splines: Anchoring method in which screws are used in splines to assemble the framing

Shear Blocks: Anchoring system utilizing an aluminum block to secure horizontals to the verticals

Steel Reinforcement: Steel channel or tube needed to stabilize the mullion in certain conditions- can be used with curtainwall OR storefront Steel Reinforcement

STOREFRONT SYSTEMS These are erected and glazed on-site (Stick-built) Can also be shop-fabricated and site-erected DEFINITIONS AND DIMENSIONS:

Storefront Product Selection- Typical System Dimensions 1-3/4” x 4-1/2” Non-thermal 2” x 4-1/2” Non-Thermal & Thermal Center Glazed vs. Front Set

STOREFRONT: CENTER GLAZED

STOREFRONT: Front Glazed System

STOREFRONT: Water Deflectors: Used where the horizontal and vertical meet, it keeps water away from the top edge of the glass below Water Deflectors

STOREFRONT: Subsill: An outlet for water that is used at the sill of a storefront frame Sill/Subsill

STOREFRONT: End Dams: Used in the subsill to keep water from penetrating the interior side of the frame End Dam Apply sealant at joint of flashing and end dam as shown

STOREFRONT: Weep Holes: A hole in the system that allows water to drain (2 req’d per lite) Weep Hole

STOREFRONT: Install Individual Units Snap front edge in place, then rotate the frame to snap rear of frame in place Individually Assembled Units

CURTAINWALL: VARIATIONS ON A THEME SSG – Structural Silicone Glazed Inside Set Stick Built vs Unitized

CURTAIN WALL STICK BUILT VS. UNITIZED Metal is field assembled (fabricated) from extrusion “sticks” Glass is installed after metal installation Conventional installation method Unitized All fabrication (metal & glass) is done in the shop Decreases field labor costs Increase shop labor and equipment costs Able to offer shorter installation time frame

Conventional Curtain Wall: A stick built system utilizing pressure plates 1. Assemble Jambs, Mullions and Horizontals. 2. Set the Glass. 3. Install the Pressure Plates.

Unitized Curtain Wall: A factory glazed system installed in large units

SSG (Structural Silicone Glazed) Mullions: Mullions that are specifically for “butt glazing” or structural silicone glazing

SSG System: Used to achieve the appearance of a seamless system vertically on the outside Top View

Inside Glazed System: Typically used to eliminate working on the exterior side of the building Top View

Inside Glazed Horizontal: Typically used to eliminate working on the exterior side of the building Intermediate Horizontal Glass Stop

Inside Glazed Mullion: A mullion that does not utilize a pressure plate at the verticals but only at the horizontals Intermediate Horizontal Glass Stop

WATER & WIND ISSUES A quality installation is critical! This includes anchorage AND proper sealing of the system Water will, at some point penetrate the exterior of these systems…. These systems are designed to manage water that may enter the system

Rain Screen: The exposed outer skin or surface element of the wall, backed by an air space, designed to shield the joints from water Rain Screen Air Space

Pressure Equalization: The method of equalizing the air pressure within a cavity with the pressure outside the cavity Critical Seal Moisture which collects in the “Wet” Area can drain out through the weep holes. The “Wet” Area and the area behind the snap cap are all of the same pressure – thus pressure equalization. (As long as this seal is kept intact, pressure equalization is maintained.) Snap Cap Weep Holes “Wet” Area

Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen allows gravity to take the water out of the weep holes. If the chamber was not equal the water would permeate Snap Cap Critical Seal Proper Drainage Built up moisture in the wet area drains through the weep holes and out of the system. “Wet” Area

Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen allows gravity to take the water out of the weep holes. If the chamber was not equal the water would percolate Improper Drainage Blockage Built up moisture in the wet area cannot drain through the weep holes, due to a blockage, and eventually can degrade the integrity of the critical seal and begin to percolate into the building. Seal in this area degrades and weeping occurs, thus moisture in the internal area of the horizontal

Weep Holes: A hole in the system that allows water to drain (2 required per lite) Weep Hole

Joint Plugs: Used to keep water from running down the vertical glass pocket

Mullion Caps: Used at the top and bottom of the mullion to insure a continuous perimeter bead of sealant Head Sill

Deflection: The amount of inward or outward movement on the assembly when wind pressure is applied Stress is produced at the anchor points Outside Force Deflection Condition Deflection produces stress at the anchored points, in this case in the corners of the frame. Normal Condition No occurrence of Deflection, stresses are distributed equally around frame.

Wind Load Anchor: Allows for movement due to expansion or contraction and live load deflection of the floor slabs Drill holes after alignment has been completed. Nylatron Pad Steel Angle

Dead Load Anchor: Typically used at the floor slabs designed to maintain a rigid connection of the vertical member to the building construction Drill holes after alignment has been completed. Nylatron Pad Steel Angle

“F” Anchor: Used at the top and bottom of the Jambs to anchor the member. “F” Anchors “T” Anchors

Install Anchor Bolts at Sill and Head locations Install Anchor Bolts at “T” and “F” Anchor locations.

Embed: An anchor typically used at the floor slabs that is preset in the concrete. The Curtain Wall can be welded or bolted to this anchor Concrete Slab Embedded Anchor

Vertical Splice: Used in applications where vertical thermal expansion is required (typically over 20’ spans) Install a stop screw in the lower vertical . . . . . . Position upper portion of Vertical Splice over the lower portion . . . Insert a set screw into the mullion to hold the two members together . . . Remove tape to allow the Splice Insert to drop to stop screw . . .

Vertical Splice: Used in applications where vertical thermal expansion is required (Continued) Move upper and lower unit together to form a ½” gap and seal with Bond Breaker tape. This tape should be applied in the shop before the splice unit is assembled.

Curtainwall Product Selection- Typical Product Dimensions 2-1/2” x 6” 2-1/2” x 7-1/2” 2-1/2” x 10” SSG (6” and 7-1/2”)

SUMMARY Curtain Wall is a flexible system designed to accommodate the vision of the Design Professional Curtain Wall is designed for use in multi-span applications Storefront is also a flexible system, but has limitations due to the nature of it’s design Be sure to choose the appropriate system for your application If you have questions, PLEASE CALL!

QUESTIONS?

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