Structural Glazing of Facades (39 Photos)

Structural glazing is a promising technology for constructing translucent structures, the use of which allows you to create a monolithic glass surface without a visible supporting frame. In structural facades, the load-bearing structure occupies an extremely small area, which allows the penetration of significantly more sunlight compared to conventional double-glazed windows. Insulation from extraneous noise and atmospheric phenomena is also no worse than that of most high-quality aluminum or PVC windows.

Facade glazing. A look from the outside and from the inside

An integrated approach is proposed to integrate the idea into the façade glazing system. Of the variety of forms and methods of glazing building facades, two main types can be distinguished:

crossbar - mullion glazing;
construction method.

The structural method is facade glazing, the principle of which is to use metal. The metal elements for fastening the glass panels are hidden, which creates the effect of a completely glass wall. This facade glazing, the price of which is significantly higher than transom-and-mullion glazing, is mainly used for glazing shop windows, terraces, offices and entrance lobbies, etc.

Post-transom glazing system. Construction elements - aluminum

The epicenter of interest in this type of glazing lies at its core. Structurally, aluminum glazing of facades is made in the form of load-bearing vertical and horizontal crossbars, the number of which is determined depending on the size of the double-glazed windows that will fill the cells of the structure.

The main advantage is the price. There are more disadvantages:

the presence of a large number of transverse and longitudinal crossbars significantly reduces insolation and reduces visibility;
low thermal insulation;
maximum cell size – up to 2 sq.m;
low wind resistance of the structure;
rubber seals used in mullion-transom glazing systems have a short service life.

The correct choice of design and material of double-glazed windows will help reduce some of the disadvantages of the method. In particular, PVC blocks and wooden frames can increase the thermal insulation of facade glazing.

In general, if anyone needs an example of the practical implementation of this system, look at the glazing of cottage facades, photos of which are given below.

Continuous glazing of facades

It is easy to imagine the effect of frameless glazing of cottage facades. The impression of spaciousness and airiness is always present with continuous glazing. Glazing the facades of cottages using this method has its positive and negative sides. The advantages of this type of glazing:

100% review;
excellent water resistance;
high thermal conductivity and sound insulation;
reliable barrier against dust and dirt;
resistance to mechanical stress;

The result is elegance and style. There are also disadvantages:

it is almost impossible to insulate a continuous glazing structure;
operation and maintenance of glass is problematic. Especially if the stained glass windows are arranged at a high level. For the entire period of operation you will have to use the services of industrial mountaineering. When carrying out glazing of facades, the cost of maintenance of which requires a separate expense item, it is necessary to take into account this negative component;
it will not be possible to install protective nets on the opening parts of the façade glazing;
high cost of construction.

They make you breathe in a special way - this is how the owners of buildings and structures who use aluminum glass facades for glazing their facades characterize continuous glazing of facades. And architects successfully embody their outstanding ideas in these structures.

Installation

Structural facades are installed either in a two-sided way or in a four-sided way. Double-sided installation is performed according to the following algorithm:

First, the post-transom system is installed. Vertical elements are installed, securing them to the upper and lower ceilings, then the crossbars are mounted. Some systems are assembled without crossbars; in such structures there are transverse fasteners only in the places where the glass adjoins the ceiling.
Fasteners (clamps) are inserted into the U-shaped groove on the sides of the glass unit.
Double-glazed windows are placed on support pads and fixed with self-tapping screws through clamps to the outer end of the frame profile.

In addition to mechanical fasteners (clamps, self-tapping screws), double-glazed windows are attached to sealant - all joints are coated with it. After installing the glazing, the seams of the structure are filled with thermal insulation materials and sealed with a decorative layer.

Four-sided installation is carried out without any mechanical fasteners. The glass unit is glued on all sides to the supporting structure with sealant.

Advantages

Strip glazing has many advantages that can only be fully appreciated if weight, wind and mechanical loads are accurately calculated. The undeniable advantages include the following:

relative ease of installation;
increased fire safety;
tightness;
environmental Safety;
additional ventilation of the building;
aesthetics and long service life;
safety both during installation and during operation;
the ability to place an order for different door opening systems;
the ability of the structure to withstand significant weight at any height.

Strip glazing of facades is rightfully considered one of the most ideal options for decorating the facades of large industrial buildings. This method performs several functions at once. It provides decorative cladding, enhances the reliability of supports and load-bearing structures, and also preserves natural light inside the building.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages include the scale of the transparent filling, which guarantees improved penetration of natural light into the premises. Among the advantages, it is worth noting increased safety, resistance to ultraviolet penetration through glass, high humidity and precipitation, mechanical stress, and the ability to implement complex architectural projects.

Each system node is easy to operate and maintain. Due to the absence of visible seams where dust accumulates, double-glazed windows do not require regular cleaning.

One of the disadvantages is the high cost of such finishing work. Although monolithic structures look beautiful in the photo, not everyone can feel comfortable in a kind of “aquarium” where everything is visible. The effect of insecurity is created.

Installation of structures

Installation of strip glazing in industrial buildings requires professional equipment, experience and skill.

Particular attention must be paid to the fitting and installation of window systems, which may differ in different opening patterns. Installation work is carried out by joining together plastic or metal-plastic profiles

In order for the facade to serve without problems for many decades after completion of all work, it is important to select all consumables competently and professionally. This can only be done by specialists who have experience in this type of installation work.

Without the proper skills and tools, it is impossible to perform glazing, since unprofessional actions can lead to irreparable consequences

Installation work is carried out by joining together plastic or metal-plastic profiles

Without the proper skills and tools, it is impossible to perform glazing, since unprofessional actions can lead to irreparable consequences.

Which industrial buildings use strip glazing?

Companies involved in such glazing of buildings and structures carry out both standard and non-standard projects. Glazing is carried out in factories and factories for absolutely any purpose. These can be chemical production facilities, warehouses, terminals, boiler houses, food and light industry enterprises, as well as conveyor shops and product processing areas.

Strip glazing will give any building a respectable appearance and make it durable, airtight and fireproof. The glazing technology completely depends on the approved project and is agreed upon with the customer.

Aluminum spider glazing

With this glazing, the glass is secured with spiders. Spiders are special fastenings (usually made of durable steel with the addition of special components to increase strength), the main purpose of which is to connect double-glazed windows to each other and secure them to the main structure. In appearance, such a bracket is similar to spider legs (which is why it received such a name, since “spider” is “spider” translated from English). Initially, spiders had 4 branches, but now they can be found with two or more “legs”.

There are many color options (matte, chrome, painted or mirrored). The glass sheets are connected by a “spider” to the support thanks to the clamping elements. To compensate for expansion during temperature changes that may occur, a dot layer is placed between the clamp and the glass itself.

The entire structure contains the following set of elements:

main structure made of metal;
spider type mounts;
hinge bolts;
double glazed windows.

Glass panels are made from special tempered glass or triplex (multilayer, glued into one by pressing). For greater warmth in the room, thicker and stronger double-glazed windows are used that can withstand enormous loads.

The fasteners are easy to install and dismantling is also simple, which helps in cases of various types of repair work, as well as when it is necessary to replace sections.

Structural glazing

Structural glazing is a method of attaching glass elements without metal frames. They are replaced by adhesive-sealant with unique adhesive and strength characteristics. It is matched to the color of the glass, which allows you to obtain a monolithic surface. There are two methods of fastening double-glazed windows:

Double-sided. A variant of a translucent facade with structural glazing, when the double-glazed windows are fixed on top or on the sides to a mounting base located vertically or horizontally, and to each other with a sealant. This method is suitable for facades where one glass unit covers the height of the floor. Then, at the level of the interfloor ceilings, fastening elements are installed into which double-glazed windows are inserted. They are glued together with silicone sealant along the entire perimeter of the floor.
Four-sided - no fasteners are used. The connection of transparent glass elements is carried out only using glue-sealant. With this version of the device, a monolithic surface is obtained, without visible installation and joining seams. In this option, square glass elements look good.

The use of both fastening methods for structural glazing ensures complete sealing of interior spaces from water, snow or through blowing.

The frameless system allows you to harmoniously and discreetly integrate sliding and tilting windows for ventilation of rooms. It is almost impossible to determine their metaposition visually.

Advantages

Monolithic structure. Joint seams filled with adhesive-sealant ensure that the entire surface functions as a single whole.
Strength and durability. Structural glazing, or rather glass connection units, can withstand changes in the geometric dimensions of the facade due to seasonal temperature fluctuations from -30 to +40 C. The system is practically not destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The facade is resistant to precipitation. Packages made of different sized glass give the system additional strength.
High rates of thermal and sound insulation of interior spaces. Achieved by using tempered glass on the outside and triplex on the inside. Such systems completely dampen impact noise with an intensity of up to 83 dB.
Increased sunlight transmission. The width of the seams does not exceed 2-3 mm, which increases the usable area of the glazing, and therefore the amount of incoming sunlight.
Tightness. Without artificial ventilation, the air exchange between the street and the interior is zero.
Environmental friendliness. The materials used for structural glazing of building facades have certificates of compliance with European environmental standards.
Ease of maintenance. The smooth surface of the façade has no gaps for dirt to accumulate. They are quite easy to wash.

Flaws

There are no functional shortcomings. Structural glazing cannot be calculated “on the knee”. Many related factors must be taken into account: wind intensity, building curvature, features of heating and ventilation systems. All this increases the cost and duration of work.

Advantages of structural façade glazing

Compared to traditional glazing methods, structural facades have a number of strengths:

pros

Thanks to the transparent design of the structural façade, more natural light enters the room, giving the building a light, modern appearance

Structural glazing has high safety indicators; it is resistant to ultraviolet rays, precipitation and mechanical stress

The operation of the structural façade is simple and convenient. Thanks to the seamless connection between the glasses, dirt does not accumulate and the facade always remains clean

High resistance to freezing

Environmental Safety

High degree of fire safety

High build quality guarantees almost complete absence of defective elements

Beautiful appearance of the facade due to the absence of pressure strips

Façade tightness. Achieved through the use of multi-layer double-glazed windows and installation of EPDM rubber seals

Types of façade glazing structures

Façade systems can vary in type of construction. Glass can be installed in a profile or installed without it. Profileless systems are used only as decorative structures, since they do not have heat and sound insulation properties. Profiles can be made from various materials, mainly wood and aluminum. In addition to the material, there is a classification according to the level of thermal protection. This criterion is used to evaluate cold and warm glazing. The standard classification takes into account the following types of facade glazing:

Classical.
Planar.
Structural.
Semi-structural.
Spider (spot).
Combined.
Stained glass.

Rice. 3. Types of glazing.

Classic façade glazing system

The classic type is distinguished by the use of an aluminum frame, which is connected on the inside by a frame, and a decorative covering on the outside. Between the frames there is a double-glazed window. Glass thickness can be from 5 to 50 mm. The advantages of the classic type are ease of installation and reliable thermal insulation properties. Heat and sound insulation is achieved thanks to a sealant that is pressed against the glass. In appearance, this glazing looks like a continuous glass surface divided by narrow connecting strips.

Rice. 4. Classic facade glazing system.

Structural façade glazing system

Structural glazing of a facade is a complex type of glass cladding, which consists of attaching double-glazed windows to the facade with a sealant that acts as a load-bearing structural element. The seams and glass are the same color, so the glazing looks like a single piece. Sealant for structural type is characterized by high strength and anti-corrosion properties. The glass for this type of glazing is edge-treated to reduce the load on the structure. The system is heat-resistant, waterproof and soundproof. Among the advantages of this tweed cladding: the aesthetic appearance of a solid mirror sheet, the absence of additional profiles, and the reliability of the system in all functional properties. Structural glazing can be non-thermally insulated (without external strips) and thermally insulated, with increased thermal insulation properties.

Rice. 5. Semi-structural façade glazing system.

Semi-structural façade glazing system

The semi-structural system is something between the previous two types of façade glazing. For a semi-structural system, ordinary double-glazed windows or mirror glass can be used. To secure the glass, thin profiles are used that imitate structural seams. A semi-structural glazing system is used to create a continuous surface. The advantage of the system is the installation of hidden doors that open from the outside. Windows for installing a semi-structural facade are connected at the factory, so there is no need to adjust the fittings for installation.

Types of glass

Modular glass facades can be equipped with various types of glass. More often, special tempered glass is used, which has high strength and reliability. This material is resistant to shock and mechanical stress. Sometimes tempered glass is subjected to various types of processing: painting, bending, sandblasting.

Below we consider the main types of glass that are used for glass facades:

Bent glass is bent glass used in the production of modular fragments that have an original design.
Multilayer – has high performance characteristics. Can withstand various impacts well. Such glass can provide optimal protection for people.
Energy saving . The material is able to reflect the rays of the sun, thus reducing heat loss.
Enameled glass . They are characterized by excellent decorative qualities, optimal strength and reliability. This is a durable and heat-resistant option. During their manufacturing process, the glass is coated with a special ceramic enamel, which provides all the performance properties.

Installation stages

Before starting the construction of the glazing structure, it is necessary to prepare a detailed project, since it is simply impossible to complete the task “by eye”. Next, you need to determine which side of the building is most blown by winds; installation work should begin from there. This will not only simplify the entire work process, but will also provide the opportunity to achieve the most stable strength of the entire mounted structure

After this, the actual installation work begins.

First, the vertical beams are installed, to which the horizontal beams are subsequently attached. Fastening can be done in various ways: electric arc welding or special corners that fasten the beams using self-tapping screws. It is first necessary to calculate the installation step of the beams. It is determined by the size of the glass unit and is individual for each object. The minimum value can be 30 cm, the maximum - 1 m.
A special rubber sealing gasket is glued to each beam on the front side.
Next, measures are taken to insulate the structure. A waterproofing film is mounted between the profiles, onto which a heat-insulating material is attached on top. A vapor barrier is in turn installed on the thermal insulation. This kind of “sandwich” provides reliable protection of the building itself and its premises from dampness and drafts; helps retain heat inside and prevents the penetration of various gases and smoke. If you ignore these measures, condensation will accumulate in the space between the frame and the wall of the building, contributing to the destruction of both the structure itself and the building itself.
Then the double-glazed windows are fastened. During the implementation of the structural system when installing glass, two- and four-sided fastening can be used. In the first case, two sides of the glass are fixed with a special sealant, onto which the moving load is distributed (silicone ensures the mobility of the structure to prevent damage when exposed to various factors), and the other two - through the use of mechanical fasteners that take on the weight of the structure. In the second case, sealant is laid on all four sides of the glass unit. The load produced by the direct weight of the structure falls on the layer of sealant used or on the corresponding supporting profiles.
When glazing balconies and windows, they must be marked on the frame when marking the step.

Features of glass structures

The main feature is that the glass facades of the houses are insulated structures that cannot be opened.

There is no need for traditional windows, since the glass facade is already transparent. The only question that can arise is how is ventilation ensured?

A fairly common solution for suburban buildings is glazing one of the walls of the building.

If an air conditioning system can be installed in high-rise buildings, then what should owners of private houses do?

Also, public buildings often have glass doors, which are secured using special hinges for glass facades. Such hinges are made in such a way as to ensure minimal contact between glass and metal structural elements.

In private construction, transparent doors are not often installed, unless, of course, we are talking about arranging gardens, greenhouses and greenhouses. It is worth noting that some countries completely prohibit the installation of opening elements in structures such as glass facades of buildings.

Facade care

Industrial mountaineering technology is currently used to wash facades and windows at high altitudes . That is, professional employees or climbers clean the building at any height without going inside the premises.

Industrial mountaineering has many advantages over erecting scaffolding or using aerial platforms:

penetration into hard-to-reach places

mobility

the cost of climbers’ services is lower than ordering special equipment

completion time is significantly reduced

Equipment for washing facade windows

Depending on the height of the building you plan to wash, the appropriate equipment is used.

The following equipment is used for high-rise buildings and skyscrapers:

stationary service systems , which are developed at the design stage of a high-rise building or skyscraper. The design of such a system consists of several rail systems along which cradles with employees of cleaning companies are raised and lowered;
temporary suspended platforms and cradles - that is, special systems that are installed for the period of cleaning the facade of a building and then dismantled;
aerial platform , to operate an aerial platform you will need two people without special skills, unlike cradles or industrial mountaineering;
industrial mountaineering , where washing facades is carried out by specially trained qualified employees who work without cradles;
Robots for cleaning windows and facades began to be used not so long ago, solely for safety reasons. Such robots are small machines that look like bathroom scales. The entire structure consists of two parts, which are fixed on both sides of the glass and secured with magnets. Thus, cleaning and washing glass facades is possible at any height without risk to human life.

The equipment used for washing facades from the ground allows cleaning up to 25 meters in height.

One of the highest artificial waterfalls (108 meters) was made in the facade of a skyscraper building (the skyscraper itself is 121 meters high):

The waterfall in Guyang (China) is not often turned on, on holidays, because one minute of the waterfall’s operation costs