DESIGNING WITH DESIGNING WITH CURTAINWALL AND CURTAINWALL AND STOREFRONTSTOREFRONT

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!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Definitions of Curtain Wall and StorefrontDefinitions of Curtain Wall and Storefront

Curtain Wall and Storefront applicationsCurtain Wall and Storefront applications

Curtain Wall and Storefront profiles and Curtain Wall and Storefront profiles and dimensionsdimensions

Installation of Curtain Wall and StorefrontInstallation of Curtain Wall and Storefront

Product Selection for your applicationProduct Selection for your application

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

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

CURTAIN WALL VS. CURTAIN WALL VS. STOREFRONTSTOREFRONT

Curtain WallCurtain Wall Multi-span locationsMulti-span locations Higher design Higher design

pressurespressures Greater than 10’ highGreater than 10’ high Custom design featuresCustom design features

StorefrontStorefront Single SpanSingle Span Typically less than 10’ Typically less than 10’

talltall EconomicalEconomical Narrower site-linesNarrower site-lines Narrower system depthNarrower system depth

CURTAINWALL & CURTAINWALL & STOREFRONTSTOREFRONT

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

CURTAINWALL AND CURTAINWALL AND STOREFRONT COMPONENTSSTOREFRONT COMPONENTS

Profiles and depths will vary, but component names are fairly similar

Some of the terminology……..

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

HeadHead

Sill: The bottom horizontal in the Sill: The bottom horizontal in the framing systemframing system

SillSill

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

JambJamb

Mullion: A vertical framing member Mullion: A vertical framing member separating fixed lights of glassseparating fixed lights of glass

MullionMullion

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

IntermediateIntermediateHorizontalHorizontal

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

PressurePressurePlatePlate

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

CoverCover CoverCover

Pressure Pressure BarBar

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

Screw Screw SplinesSplines

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

ShearShearBlocksBlocks

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

SteelSteelReinforcementReinforcement

STOREFRONT SYSTEMSSTOREFRONT SYSTEMS

These are erected and glazed on-site (Stick-built)

Can also be shop-fabricated and site-erected

DEFINITIONS AND DIMENSIONS:

Storefront Product Storefront Product Selection- Typical System Selection- Typical System DimensionsDimensions 1-3/4” x 4-1/2” Non-thermal 1-3/4” x 4-1/2” Non-thermal 2” x 4-1/2” Non-Thermal & Thermal2” x 4-1/2” Non-Thermal & Thermal Center Glazed vs. Front SetCenter Glazed vs. Front Set

STOREFRONT: CENTER GLAZEDSTOREFRONT: CENTER GLAZED

STOREFRONT: Front Glazed SystemSTOREFRONT: Front Glazed System

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

WaterWaterDeflectorsDeflectors

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

Sill/SubsillSill/Subsill

STOREFRONT: End Dams: Used in the subsill STOREFRONT: End Dams: Used in the subsill to keep water from penetrating the interior to keep water from penetrating the interior side of the frameside of the frame

EndEndDamDam Apply sealant Apply sealant

at joint of at joint of flashing and flashing and end dam as end dam as

shownshown

STOREFRONT: Weep Holes: A hole in the system STOREFRONT: Weep Holes: A hole in the system that allows water to drainthat allows water to drain

WeepWeepHoleHole

Weep HolesWeep Holes(2 req’d per lite)(2 req’d per lite)

STOREFRONT: Install Individual UnitsSTOREFRONT: Install Individual Units

Individually Individually Assembled Assembled UnitsUnits

Snap front edge in Snap front edge in place, then rotate the place, then rotate the frame to snap rear of frame to snap rear of frame in placeframe in place

CURTAINWALL: VARIATIONS CURTAINWALL: VARIATIONS ON A THEMEON A THEME

SSG – Structural Silicone Glazed Inside Set Stick Built vs Unitized

CURTAIN WALLCURTAIN WALLSTICK BUILT VS. UNITIZEDSTICK BUILT VS. UNITIZED

Stick BuiltStick Built Metal is field Metal is field

assembled (fabricated) assembled (fabricated) from extrusion “sticks”from extrusion “sticks”

Glass is installed after Glass is installed after metal installationmetal installation

Conventional Conventional installation methodinstallation method

UnitizedUnitized All fabrication (metal All fabrication (metal

& glass) is done in the & glass) is done in the shopshop

Decreases field labor Decreases field labor costscosts

Increase shop labor Increase shop labor and equipment costsand equipment costs

Able to offer shorter Able to offer shorter installation time frameinstallation time frame

Conventional Curtain Wall: A stick built Conventional Curtain Wall: A stick built system utilizing pressure platessystem utilizing pressure plates

1. Assemble Jambs, Mullions 1. Assemble Jambs, Mullions and Horizontals.and Horizontals.

2. Set the Glass.2. Set the Glass.

3. Install the Pressure Plates.3. Install the Pressure Plates.

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

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

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

Top Top ViewView

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

Top Top ViewView

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

IntermediateIntermediateHorizontalHorizontal

GlassGlassStopStop

Inside Glazed Mullion: A mullion that does Inside Glazed Mullion: A mullion that does not utilize a pressure plate at the verticals but not utilize a pressure plate at the verticals but only at the horizontalsonly at the horizontals

IntermediateIntermediateHorizontalHorizontal

GlassGlassStopStop

WATER & WIND ISSUES 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 Rain Screen: The exposed outer skin or surface element of the wall, backed by an air space, element of the wall, backed by an air space, designed to shield the joints from waterdesigned to shield the joints from water

Rain ScreenRain Screen

Air SpaceAir Space

Pressure Equalization: The method of Pressure Equalization: The method of equalizing the air pressure within a cavity with equalizing the air pressure within a cavity with the pressure outside the cavitythe pressure outside the cavity

CriticalCriticalSealSeal

““Wet”Wet”AreaArea

Moisture which collects in the Moisture which collects in the “Wet” Area can drain out “Wet” Area can drain out through the weep holes. The through the weep holes. The “Wet” Area and the area behind “Wet” Area and the area behind the snap cap are all of the same the snap cap are all of the same pressure – thus pressure pressure – thus pressure equalization.equalization.

Snap Snap CapCap

Weep Weep HolesHoles

(As long as this seal (As long as this seal is kept intact, is kept intact, pressure pressure equalization is equalization is maintained.)maintained.)

Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen allows gravity to take the water out of the weep allows gravity to take the water out of the weep holes. If the chamber was not equal the water holes. If the chamber was not equal the water would permeatewould permeate

CriticalCriticalSealSeal

““Wet”Wet”AreaArea

Built up moisture in the wet Built up moisture in the wet area drains through the weep area drains through the weep holes and out of the system.holes and out of the system.

Snap Snap CapCap Proper Proper

DrainageDrainage

Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen Water Control: The equal pressure and rain screen allows gravity to take the water out of the weep allows gravity to take the water out of the weep holes. If the chamber was not equal the water holes. If the chamber was not equal the water would percolatewould percolate

Seal in this area Seal in this area degrades and degrades and weeping occurs, weeping occurs, thus moisture in the thus moisture in the internal area of the internal area of the horizontalhorizontal

Built up moisture in the wet Built up moisture in the wet area cannot drain through the area cannot drain through the weep holes, due to a blockage, weep holes, due to a blockage, and eventually can degrade the and eventually can degrade the integrity of the critical seal and integrity of the critical seal and begin to percolate into the begin to percolate into the building.building.

Improper Improper DrainageDrainageBlockageBlockage

Weep Holes: A hole in the system Weep Holes: A hole in the system that allows water to drainthat allows water to drain

WeepWeepHoleHole

Weep HolesWeep Holes(2 required (2 required per lite)per lite)

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

Joint PlugsJoint Plugs

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

HeadHead

SillSill

Deflection: The amount of inward or outward Deflection: The amount of inward or outward movement on the assembly when wind pressure is movement on the assembly when wind pressure is applied applied

Normal ConditionNormal ConditionNo occurrence of Deflection, stresses No occurrence of Deflection, stresses are distributed equally around frame.are distributed equally around frame.

Deflection ConditionDeflection ConditionDeflection produces stress at the Deflection produces stress at the

anchored points, in this case in the anchored points, in this case in the corners of the frame.corners of the frame.

Stress is Stress is produced produced at the at the anchor anchor pointspoints

OutsideOutsideForce

Force

Wind Load Anchor: Allows for movement due Wind Load Anchor: Allows for movement due to expansion or contraction and live load to expansion or contraction and live load deflection of the floor slabsdeflection of the floor slabs

NylatronNylatronPadPadSteel AngleSteel Angle

Drill holes after Drill holes after alignment has been alignment has been completed.completed.

Dead Load Anchor: Typically used at the floor Dead Load Anchor: Typically used at the floor slabs designed to maintain a rigid connection of slabs designed to maintain a rigid connection of the vertical member to the building constructionthe vertical member to the building construction

NylatronNylatronPadPadSteel AngleSteel Angle

Drill holes after Drill holes after alignment has been alignment has been completed.completed.

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

““F” AnchorsF” Anchors““T” AnchorsT” Anchors

Install Anchor Bolts at Sill and Head locationsInstall Anchor Bolts at Sill and Head locations

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

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

ConcreteConcreteSlabSlab

EmbeddedEmbeddedAnchorAnchor

Install a stop screw Install a stop screw in the lower vertical in the lower vertical . . .. . .

. . . Position upper . . . Position upper portion of Vertical portion of Vertical Splice over the Splice over the lower portion . . .lower portion . . .

. . . Remove tape to . . . Remove tape to allow the Splice allow the Splice Insert to drop to Insert to drop to stop screw . . .stop screw . . .

Vertical Splice: Used in applications where Vertical Splice: Used in applications where vertical thermal expansion is required vertical thermal expansion is required (typically over 20’ spans)(typically over 20’ spans)

Insert a set screw Insert a set screw into the mullion to into the mullion to hold the two hold the two members togethermembers together

Move upper and lower Move upper and lower unit together to form a ½” unit together to form a ½” gap and seal with Bond gap and seal with Bond Breaker tape. This tape Breaker tape. This tape should be applied in the should be applied in the shop before the splice unit shop before the splice unit is assembled.is assembled.

Vertical Splice: Used in applications where Vertical Splice: Used in applications where

vertical thermal expansion is requiredvertical thermal expansion is required (Continued)(Continued)

Curtainwall Product Selection- Curtainwall Product Selection- Typical Product DimensionsTypical Product Dimensions

2-1/2” x 6”2-1/2” x 6”

2-1/2” x 7-1/2”2-1/2” x 7-1/2”

SSG (6” and 7-1/2”)SSG (6” and 7-1/2”)

2-1/2” x 10”2-1/2” x 10”

SUMMARYSUMMARY

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

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Congratulations!!!Congratulations!!!

You have survived Curtainwall/Storefront You have survived Curtainwall/Storefront 101101