1. DESIGNING WITH CURTAINWALL AND STOREFRONT

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

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

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

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

10. Sill: The bottom horizontal in the framing system

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

12. Mullion: A vertical framing member separating fixed lights of glass

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20. 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

21. STOREFRONT: CENTER GLAZED

22. STOREFRONT: Front Glazed System

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

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

25. 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

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

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

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

29. 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

30. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

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

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

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

45. 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.

46. 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

47. 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

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

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

50. 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

51. 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 . . .

52. 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.

53. 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”)

54. 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!

55. QUESTIONS?

56. You have survived Curtainwall/Storefront 101
Congratulations!!!
You have survived Curtainwall/Storefront 101