Facade + Building Systems
Systems,
in detail.
Every system is engineered and shop-drawn against the architectural set before anything is ordered. Here is how the main assemblies go together, from the glass to the anchor.
Select a system to open its drawing-
Facades & doors
Curtain Wall
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Facades & doors
Sliding Doors
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Windows · Material
uPVC Windows
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Windows · Material
Aluminum Windows
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Windows · Operation
Out-Swing Window
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Windows · Operation
In-Swing Window
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Windows · Operation
Tilt & Turn Window
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Glass
Insulated Glass Unit
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Glass
Tempered Glass
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Glass
Laminated Glass
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Railings
Glass Railing with Shoe
Facades & doors
Curtain Wall
Aluminum mullions and transoms with insulated glass held by pressure plates.
Stick curtain wall, mullion and transom intersection
- 01MullionVertical aluminum extrusion carrying wind and dead load to the structure.
- 02Pressure plateExposed on the vertical: clamps the glass through gaskets.
- 03Insulated glassUnits captured between the mullion and the pressure plate.
- 04TransomHorizontal member splitting the bay.
- 05Cover capSnap-on cap on the horizontal, closing the joint.
- 06GasketsContinuous gaskets, typically EPDM, seal both sides of the glass.
Facades & doors
Sliding Doors
Slim-frame glass panels on a track.
Sliding door, three-panel elevation
- 01Head trackHead track and guide channel keep the panels plumb.
- 02Sliding panelRides the track; slides past the fixed lites.
- 03Fixed panelGlazed panels locked to the frame.
- 04Slim frameNarrow aluminum stiles and rails.
- 05ThresholdLow-profile sill; recessed-track options give a flush threshold.
Windows · Material
uPVC Windows
Reinforced multi-chamber uPVC frame and sash with an insulated glass unit.
uPVC window, frame and sash corner cutaway
- 01Insulated glassDouble- or triple-glazed unit on a warm-edge spacer.
- 02Glazing beadSnap-in interior bead with wedge gasket.
- 03SashMulti-chamber sash with its own reinforcement.
- 04uPVC frameMulti-chamber extrusion, welded at the corners.
- 05Steel reinforcementGalvanized steel reinforcement in the main chamber.
- 06GasketsContinuous seals between sash and frame.
Windows · Material
Aluminum Windows
Thermally broken aluminum frame and sash with an insulated glass unit.
Aluminum window, frame and sash corner cutaway
- 01Insulated glassDouble- or triple-glazed unit on a warm-edge spacer.
- 02Glazing beadInterior bead with wedge gasket.
- 03SashThermally broken sash carries the glass.
- 04Aluminum frameExterior and interior shells, powder-coated or anodized.
- 05Thermal breakInsulating struts, typically polyamide, join the two shells.
- 06GasketsGaskets, typically EPDM, seal the sash to the frame.
Windows · Operation
Out-Swing Window
Sash swings outward on a crank operator.
Out-swing casement, sash open to the exterior
- 01HingesSide-hung on the jamb.
- 02Insulated glassDouble-glazed unit in the sash.
- 03Sash, openSwings out; once closed, wind pressure seats it tighter.
- 04FrameFixed outer frame set into the opening.
- 05Crank operatorOpens and closes the sash from inside.
Windows · Operation
In-Swing Window
Sash swings inward; both faces of the glass clean from inside.
In-swing casement, sash open into the room
- 01HingesSide-hung on the jamb.
- 02Insulated glassDouble-glazed unit in the sash.
- 03Sash, openSwings in toward the room.
- 04FrameFixed outer frame set into the opening.
- 05HandleOpens, closes and locks the sash from inside.
Windows · Operation
Tilt & Turn Window
One handle opens the sash from the top or swings it in from the side.
Tilt and turn, sash in tilt position
- 01Sash, tiltedTop leans in for ventilation; the bottom stays hinged.
- 02Insulated glassDouble- or triple-glazed unit in the sash.
- 03FrameFixed outer frame set into the opening.
- 04HandleOne handle: down closed, up tilt, sideways turn.
- 05HingesCorner and side hinges, with a stay arm at the head.
Glass
Insulated Glass Unit
Sealed double-glazed unit: two lites, spacer, desiccant and dual seal.
Double-glazed unit, corner section
- 01GlassInner and outer lites: annealed, heat-strengthened, tempered or laminated to spec.
- 02Gas fillTypically argon-filled cavity that slows heat transfer between lites.
- 03SpacerWarm-edge spacer bar that sets the airspace.
- 04DesiccantAbsorbs moisture inside the cavity to keep the unit clear.
- 05SealDual seal: butyl primary; silicone, polysulfide or polyurethane secondary.
Glass
Tempered Glass
Heat-treated glass with compressed surfaces that breaks into small, blunt pieces.
Fully tempered lite, edge and break pattern
- 01StrengthSeveral times the strength of annealed glass of the same thickness.
- 02Surface compressionQuenched skins locked in compression.
- 03Tension coreCenter in tension, balancing the skins.
- 04Polished edgeEdges finished before heat treatment.
- 05Dice break patternBreaks into small, relatively blunt fragments.
Glass
Laminated Glass
Two or more lites bonded to an interlayer that holds fragments on impact.
Laminated glass, exploded layers
- 01GlassInner lite; varied thicknesses or an acoustic interlayer reduce sound.
- 02GlassOuter lite: annealed, heat-strengthened or tempered.
- 03InterlayerPVB or SGP sheet bonded under heat and pressure.
- 04Laminated edgeInterlayer visible at the edge of the finished lite.
Railings
Glass Railing with Shoe
Structural glass set in an aluminum base shoe anchored to the slab.
Frameless glass railing, base shoe section
- 01Glass panelLaminated or fully tempered glass, as code allows.
- 02SealantSealant caps the channel at the glass line.
- 03CladdingStainless steel or aluminum cover over the shoe.
- 04WedgesRubber, nylon or aluminum wedges lock the glass plumb.
- 05Setting blockGlass bears on a block at the channel bottom.
- 06AnchorMechanical or adhesive anchor through the shoe into the slab.
Get in touch
The next project starts with a conversation.
Have a project in mind?
Let’s talk through the details.
- Design assistBudget pricing and system review while the design is open
- EngineeringSystems shop-drawn against the architectural set, so conflicts surface on paper
- SupplySequenced to the schedule you actually have
- InstallationInstalled by the same team, so downstream trades start on time