Structural Glazing

Description

In simple words, a unitized structural glazing system is a pre-assembled glazing system. Multiple glazing types and materials are combined into one “unit” under tightly controlled conditions. The process consists of the glazing materials being silicone in place, thereupon they are allowed to fully cure. This is done in order to give a similar flush exterior appearance to that of the stick-built system, irrespective of weather conditions on site. These units can be installed in a myriad number of ways, either one panel tall and one panel wide or at times, two panels tall or two panels wide. After the lass, spandrel materials, and anchors are glazed into unit frames within the shop, they are loaded onto flatbed trucks to be installed “just in time” at the job site.

It’s interesting to note that these units receive additional silicone/EPDM gaskets after they are set up by cranes from the outside, or from each floor to create the “stack joint”. The stack joint acts as the complete air and moisture barrier of the system allowing a weep at each floor. Unitized systems handle movement much better than most others because each panel is gasketed together to be able to move independently with the structure, and the additional movement capacity of the anchors.

Generally, these systems are used on mid-rise to high-rise structures that are 20,000 sq. ft. and up where there is high repetition, tight job site access, and high installation labor costs.