You are on page 1of 15
Innovative design is often hampered by the lack of suitable products. Richard Wileock looks at the construction of the ‘bespoke’ curtain walling at Blackburn Leisure Centre (AJ 10.12.86) and at an entrance canopy which uses a standard glazing system at Holywell 1 The pedestrian piazza washes up to the base of the curtain walling; its rippling curves create distorted reflections like mirrors in fan fairs. Transoms are «given horizontal emphasis by the use of a omer coated coloured ‘metal insert. AJ FOCUS/WINDOWS AND GLAZING CASE STUDY BLACKBURN At the heart of the Blackburn Leisure Centre lies a great pulsating mechanism, the wave machine — the inspiration for the three dimensional form of the building, itself. This is most noticeable in the serpentine curtain walling where the piazza washes up to the edge of the swimming pool. ‘The architects wanted to bring an air of surrealism to this northern town, to introduce an element of fun. Sensuous ‘curves fully exploit the technology of glass and give distorted reflections, shrinking and enlarging like mirrors in fun fairs. And when the already dazed pedestrian peers inside, he finds himself suspended at first floor level looking down into a subterranean tropical lagoon. Building a fantasy is not easy or cheap. ‘The design was completed first and FaulknerBrowns looked around for suitable produets. It found that most glaziers have standard curtain walling systems. Many are agents for German, Scandinavian or US systems; few could accommodate their curving designs. Some manufacturers said initially they could realise the design but Tater had second thoughts. In the end four companies tendered for the job. The ‘quotations received were wide ranging — up ‘w £500/m for the double glazed sealed AI FOCUS April 1987 21 THEME a3 2 Setting out plan for the curtain wall. Convex and concave curves had to ‘match, as only one glass mould was used. A 3-4 mm variance in the width of the sealed doublegiazed units was taken up by the seal incorporated in the mallions, 8 Plan of the leisure centre showing how the curving ‘glass wall is continued through into the interior in the form of a glazed balustrade. The wall also directs the visitor to the main entrance. 4 (facing page) The pool itself isa level below the entrance giving pedestrians ‘outside a good view of the ‘entertainments on offer. Note the vertical trussed ‘mullions and the perimeter convector pipes to reduce condensation. The building's ‘main triangular tubular tee] trusses stop short of the outer walls. 22 AJ POCUS Apeil 187 WINDOWS AND GLAZING | | | 2 | curved units alone, and £1000/m?for the complete installation. Ebor Aluminium was awarded the contract and the installation finaly worked out at £337/m? ‘The wall is 67 m high and mullions and transoms have been kept as small as possible. Composite mullions were developed with Ebor. Its standard box seetion was incorporated into a vertical truss. The result isa light filigree structure. Infact, the tmallions only resist the wind loads. In conventional eartain walling the transoms transfer the weight of the glazing to the rmullions. At Blackburn, the curved double glazed units are structural, stacked one on {op of the other like building blocks, There are transoms but these act only as spacers, ‘To prevent the vertical truss from buckling, reversal stays or outriggers are fixed to the transoms to provide some stiffening. Fixings at both head and base are simple, At the base is a plate fixed to the retaining: wall and at the head, a sliding. coupling within the tube, Movement was not anticipated but the architects decided to be cautious, ‘The 10 mm thick laminated glass was supplied by Pilkingtons and bent by Gardner and Newton, which also ‘manufactured the sealed double glazed units, These have a 20 mm air gap. A 3-4 mm diserepaney in the width of the units is taken up by the glazing sea. Only one giass mould was made so that the convex and coneave curves had to be ‘equal. Curved laminated glass from the same mould is also used for internal, balustrades. Some compromises had to be ‘made in the detailing. Where the flume penetrates the glazing, a polycarbonate sheet Is used as this was easy to cut and could ‘accommodate movement. Where the curtain wall turns a sharp corner, single glazing is tused with silicone joints, Condensation ean always be a problem in a swimming pool environment but the curtain wall has had relatively few problems. Atone time the architects considered pumping warm water through the mullions but this proved to be impractical. In fact, the double glazing and thermally-broken mullions and transoms appear to be performing well. At the moment there is only a small amount of condensation on the transom adjacent to the wall/ceiling junetion, as 5 ‘Outriggers’ are fixed between the trussed ‘mullions and the transoms to provide some stiffening over the 7 m height. 6 At the edge of the roof structure a tubular stee! truss follows the serpentine line of the curtain walling. 7 Where the flume passes through the glass wall a polyearbonate sheet was used instead of glass as this ‘could be cut easily to shape and would accommodate the ‘movement of the flume itself. Silicone is used to seal the polycarbonate sheet/flume junction. 24 Ag FOCUS Apel 1987 WINDOWS AND GLAZING 8, 10 Section through the curtain walling, 8 and details of the eaves and base Junetion, 10. 9, 11 The serpentine form of the curtain wall is carried into the interior in the form of @ glazed balustrade to the entrance level. Toughened «glass is from the same ‘mould as the sealed curtain wall units, 9 AJ FOCUS April 1987 25 WINDOWS AND GLAZING 12 Glass is also used structurally in the rooflights. The panes simply | rest against each other erase a.m span with & Silicone joint atthe apes. 18 The roofligheseut diagonally across the swimming pool. Gutters drain both external rainwater and internal condensation 14 Originally the rooflights were to continue to the dulside ofthe building to finish in loenge-shaped | oriels. However, this proved ¥2 to be too complex and a simpler solution was adopted. 15 The curtain walling system is used for all the building's glazing: in the flume tower where the glass panels are bevelled and in the plain areas of windows as well as the serpentine curtain walling. At the ‘prow’of the building, single glazing is simply butted With a silicone joint. ‘letra Liar Cate irohtacte PatnerBrowns Sob areitst Jon nates main contractor Shepherd Construction BA READER ENQUIRY NO 700 curtain walling Bor Amini 7? REDE curved double glazed units G.B (Gardner Newton BA. READER ENQUIRY NO 702 Pilkington Glas ? EET, + AJ FOCUS Apeil 1887 27 ala Following the complexity of the Blackburn curtain I we look at a simple glazed entrance using a standard curtain walling system also by FaulknerBrowns. 1 Plan of the glazed entrance at Holywell. 2 The main entrance ‘projects in a triangular box toembrace the visitor. The glazed roof of the entrance has only half a degree pitch but is protected by the oversailing main roof, 8 Asat Blackburn, single lazing is employed for all lass to glass right-angle Junctions with sealed double ‘glazed units used generally. Brackets are cantilevered off the main steelwork to support the head of the ‘standard aluminium ‘mullions and above this a small edge beam. 4 Structural steelwork was ‘purpose made by ‘Tubeworkers. Intermediate Imini-trasses support the edges of the glass root panels. The architects originally proposed only a silicone joint at this junetion, but Tabeworkers insisted that a capping be screwed into the steel section. 5 (facing page) Using the ‘main roof like an umbrella allows the entrance to be treated as a separate triangular form, penetrated only by a cylindrical revolving door. Healt pets Cente farehtats FaulinerBrowns nb arehitect Jon Igratowiee inain contractor David McLean 2 ET curtain walling Heywood Glazing Srateme 7 EE seelork Tubeworkers (EEE 28 AJ FOCUS April 1987 Al FOCUS/WINDOWS AND GLAZING CASE STUDY HOLYWELL SPORTS CENTRE ft eae AJ FOCUS/WINDOWS AND GLAZING INSIGHT GLASS AT LLOYD'S The choice of glass for the Lloyd’s building in London, designed by Richard Rogers and Partners, involved major research. Stephen Le Roith, formerly senior team leader responsible for the development of the cladding, and now in his own practice, describes how they arrived at the final specification. Aa” l Vawarw po ol TTT There hasbeen a major evolution in the tothe building users. 'To compensate, the = design of buildings since the 1920s, largely internal environment as to be controlled by asa result of advances in glass technology. heating, eooling, lighting, ventilation and ‘Toughened, laminated and fireresisting shading to maintain average comfort L GL classes have allowed glass to be specified in conditions. Energy savings can only result ‘wide range of situations where previously by minimising the amount of energy used to their use would have been hazardous. Glass satisfy the average comfort criteria It was, sheet size limits now rarely impase these factors which challenged the Lloyd's constraints on design, and high performance design team. coatings and multiple glazing units allow large areas of glass to be used. Low energy comfort while still complying with thermal There are many factors which influence the Duilding regulations choice of glass in buildings including Architects have exploited the advantages structural, optical, thermal performanee, of glass in their buildings — they permit acoustic and visual qualities. In the case of legibility of the structure, transparency and Lloyd's, additional requirements included Tnght penetration white atthe same time the ereation of the most comfortable internal providing an easily maintained, environment possible coupled with low non-corrosive, long life external skin. energy use. Because of the deep office areas, As new thermal building regulations the external wall was fully glazed to allow become more onerous, glass manufacturers the penetration of natural light. continue to improve their produets, The Research began in 1981 by investigating high performance coatings, which are now all commercially available thermal coated 1 Fish tail duets draw warm — commercially available, have much silasses and glass blocks from UK, European air down through the eavity improved selective absorption and radiation and American manufacturers, It was soon between the sheets of glass arrier characteristics. However, coupled clear that high performance glasses alone forming the external with the inherently poor thermal properties would not provide the degree of comfort or cladding. Of glass, there are limitations in their use. the reduction in the use of energy that the 2 The pimpled cast glass___High performance coatings are generally design team had set out to achieve and it, arives a scintilating interest designed to slow down or control the became clear that a radical change in fo the external glass wall. absorption or transference of enersy strategy had to be adopted. ‘The effect is todisperse the including heat loss or gain. They are Within the constraints of existing light source ereating- an inherently passive, with fixed qualities technology, the engineers Ove Arup & interesting erystal-like play which are usually selected on the basis of Partners proposed an unconventional of light across the sheet their optimum performances in response to solution for an underfloor air-conditioning Clear vision panels are ‘a particular environmental situation system using. the conerete structure of the provided for an undistorted — Changing external environmental conditions building as a thermal reservoir and the View out at strategic levels. are therefore likely to cause some discomfort recycling of waste energy. As an integral 36 AJ FOCUS April 1987 8 The atrium at Lloyd's ‘extends up to the sunlight land at a high level the glass isclear, bringing the sunlight down into the bustling market place of the Room, WINDOWS AND GLAZING part, the architeets developed the cladding system in close liaison with the services engineers, incorporating the glazed external skin dynamically into the performance of the building environmental control system. Conditioned air is fed into the raised floor plenum where fans mix it and blow the air ‘nto the office space through floor grilles. The rising air is then sucked through the heat generating light fittings and drawn down the cavity between the sheets of glass of the external cladding, warming the inner sheet in winter and cooling in summer, before being extracted at the base of the cladding. The inner surface temperature of the glass is kept nearly constant and within the comfort range of the occupants. By passing waste heat from the lights through the perimeter cladding, energy is no longer required around the building perimeter as in conventional buildings, apart from morning warm-ups. This system also eliminates down dranghts, allievating discomfort to the office users. Inward looking The external skin of the building is sheathed in translucent glass. The concept is derived partly from Richard Rogers’ fondness for the dimpled glass block wall of the Maison de Verre in Paris by Pierre Chareau which appears to capture the light and enliven the interior space, In addition, the Lloyd's office space focuses inwards to the great atrium and the bustling marketplace of the Room ‘which is full of light and action and makes the translucent glazing a natural choice for the external skin, Clear glass ribbon windows are provided at each floor level for the occupants to look out. ‘The external skin consists of three sheets of glass. A hermetically sealed double glazed unit with a high performanee pyrolitic ‘metal oxide coating forms the outer skin and single glazed unit the inner skin. Between the two is the ventilated cavity through which the air is drawn. Optically designed facets are incorporated into the two ‘outermost sheets of translucent glass. The building’s internal lighting is reflected off AJ POCUS April 1967 37 THEME 4 An exterior view of Lloyd's showing the mullions with integral grey anodised finish. 5 The clear bands of glazed openings, providing the view ‘out for seated occupants, produce a contrasting ‘banding effect. 6 The pimpled glass is produced as a rolled pattern on east glass. Glass is drawn ‘over hardened steel patterned rollers as evenly as possible. This in turn is slowly cooled along the production line to avoid ‘stresses. WINDOWS AND GLAZING _ the inner sheet of glass and sunlight is reflected off the outer sheet, The effect is to disperse the light source, creating an interesting erystal-like play of light across the sheet of glass which sparkles or glows under changing light conditions and enlivens the glass wall, At night, when the background is black, the glass behaves as a sheet of light, reducing the high degree of contrast normally experienced when the setting sun darkens the glass. This reflectivity eliminates the need for eurtans Producing the sparide "The sparkle glass itself is quite ordinary in that it was produced as a rolled pattern of ‘east glass. Conversely, the special feature of this glass is in the unique pattern itself and the concept of using the pattern to control visual comfort. Normally, cast glass is produced with either a fine or random pattern which reduces the visual perception of inaccuracies inherent in this process of manufactare, In the case of Lloyd's, the final pattern took the form of a linear grid of 8 mm diameter lenses that had to be well defined to produee the sparkle phenomenon. The success of the final pattern was the result of nearly two years of design and production difficulties. The design and form of the pattern was developed in close collaboration ‘with three shortlisted glass manufacturers prior to tender, and finally in conjunetion with the successful cladding manufacturer, Josef Gartner & Co (UK) Ltd and Vereinigte Glaswerke GmbH, the successful glass ‘manufacturer, subcontracted to Gartner. ‘Computer-aided design allowed the architects to assess the visual effects of different patterns at small seale and full size. The design of the cast glass pattern had ‘to be developed using the expertise on the narrow technical parameters necessary for successful production. These included constraints on the size, shape and spacing of THEME the refleetive lenses to avoid fracture of the glass by heat strengthening or toughening. ‘A smooth selvedge or perimeter strip had to bbe incorporated within the design to enable the glass to be hermetically sealed as a double glazed unit. Finally, casting. constraints limited the produetion run to one pattern which resulted in the need to design the glass as a module to cope with other design considerations such as ribbon windows at both seated and standing heights. These constraints in turn required that the cladding be designed based on the glass module vertieal dimensions. Resin moulds were produced by the glass ‘manufacturer to simulate the appearance of the glass followed by several trial production runs of small quantities of the cast glass, together with the high performance coated glasses which were installed in a full size mock-up of the cladding. Further studies were carried out to check the reflectivity of the glass lenses and the general appearance. The quality of the glass from the initial trials was poor. The process of rolling glass involves drawing molten glass over hardened steel patterned rollers as evenly as possible, ‘which in turn is slowly cooled along the produetion line to avoid stresses. The architects recall their arrival at the factory ‘o witness the first trial produetion and watched anxiously as great lengths of uneven glass shattered into fragment asthe sass was cooled. ‘Some 300 well developed drawings and a performance specification were produced of the cladding and glass by the design team, for tender. It was a precondition of the cladding subcontractors’ tender that they ‘took responsibility for the continued development and installation of the glass. ‘The cladding manufacturers obtained prices from both Pilkingtons and Vereinigte Glaswerke, and the latter were selected on the basis of price. Josef Gartner & Co won the tender for the eladding. ‘On buildings as complex as Lloyd's, there is an integral link between cladding, structure, services and manufacture which involves close communication between the design team and the manufacturers. This process inevitably requires more planning, testing, supervision and a considerable determination to ensure success. AJ POCUS Apri 1987 38 Improvements in timber windows are described by Brian Keyworth; then David Button advises on how to specify glass. Finally, a table gives the characteristics of different types of window. 1 High insulation Kesma window by Midland Joinery. IEA READER ENQUIRY NO 730 AJ FOCUS/WINDOWS AND GLAZING PRODUCT REVIEW TIMBER WINDOWS ‘There have been few, if any, radical developments in timber windows in the last ‘year or two. Changes tend to oceur slowly in response to market pressures or as a result of the availability of new types of ironmongery or other fittings. ‘These factors have caused a series of gradual changes which, when added together, make the current types of timber window very different from those generally specified a decade ago. ‘The most noticeable change is the demise of the standard section window based on the timber sections first included in BS 644 in 1951, The success and low cost of this window design made it difficult for the mass ‘market manufacturers to change it for ‘many years, But today, all major ‘manufacturers offer improved performance windows even at the lowest cost end of their ranges. igh performance In practice, improved performance means ‘weatherstripping of opening lights and the ability to accept the thinner types (14 mm overall) of double glazed units as an. alternative to single glazing, which is still common in speculative housing and refurbishment projects. ‘The improvements made in these designs, allied with the use of double vacuum preservation, make these windows better value than ever before and may be one of the reasons why the truly high performance types of timber window, which are universally used in most of Europe, have Deen slow to gain acceptance in Britain, ‘Most manufacturers offer ranges of ‘high’ performanee windows and these are being Specified toa greater extent. Specifiers should be eautious of the term high performance, since this is not always fully defined and may in some instances relate only to the provision of a weatherstrip. ‘Windows bearing this definition should have met the more stringent test requirements of BS 6375: Part 1 Classification for weathertightness. In future they should also satisfy Part 2 of the same standard, Specifieation for operation and strength characteristies, which has just. been published. ‘Three aspects of performance have developed considerably in recent years — energy, security and maintenance, Energy and security ‘The development of low-emissivity double glazing units with a minimum width of 20 mm has led to new ranges of windows to als accept them. Windows of this type include the Boulton and Paul High Performance MkII range, Midland Joinery Kesma range, ‘Magnet Southerns’‘H? windows and a number of others. In addition to the larger timber sections necessary to carry the thicker glazing, these windows have better quality hardware allowing fully reversible sashes for easier window cleaning and improved weatherstripping. Most good quality timber windows today offer lockable fasteners as either standard or optional fittings and hit and miss ventilators set into the top rail allowing secure night ventilation itenance ‘The changes which are taking place in the timber finishes industry have also affected window ranges. The newer types of paint and decorative stain finishes can considerably reduce maintenance requirements for timber windows as well as, broadening their visual appeal. Stain finishes still normally require more frequent maintenance than good exterior quality paints bat the amount of maintonanee is reduced through easier preparation, ‘The almost universal use of preservative treatment on softwood windows has obviated the problems of decay which occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. A number of manufacturers now offer ranges of hhardvood windows in addition to the more usual softwood. Specifiers should ensure that hardwood windows are also treated with preservative unless durable species are used and sapwood is precluded inthe specification, Part 1 of BS 1185 Timber and workmanship in Joinery gives details of suitable species Refurbishment ‘The amount of refurbishment work being carried out has regenerated interest in ouble-hung sliding sash windows, In addition to companies producing conventional replacements, a number of manufacturers now offer windows with full ‘weatherstripping, overeoming one of the inherent weaknesses of the traditional component. The more severe grades of BS. 676: Part are claimed tobe met by several manufacturers. Another interesting development is the sliding sash window incorporating sashes which tilt inwards for easy cleaning. Factory glazing In Scandinavia it is common practice to finish and glaze timber windows in the factory and deliver them to site fully packaged and protected. Windows of this type have been imported into Britain for AJ FOCUS April 1987 41 2 Russeo timber window by IR. & E. Russell & Co (2? EEDA 8 Renovation of palm house, Belfast Botanical Gardens using 3 mm thick glass by Pilkington. 7 Ea 4 Curved enclosing glass to lifts at Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster (Glass benders and fixers G & B Gardner & Newton — also for fig 3). (7? EEE WINDOWS AND GLAZING some years, British manufacturers have ‘watched the development with interest but have generally failed to convince the large specifiers of its advantages. (One manufacturer, J. Rand B. Russell, is now marketing a fully finished window and is finding a degree of acceptance in the market place. One of the attractions of the timber window is the relative ease of making. ‘modifications to suit specific needs. A. number of manufacturers have specialised in this type of work by developing ‘window systems designed to meet varying user requirements Windows in these ranges can be in a choice of timbers, ean incorporate double sashes for improved acoustie performance, ean aecept blinds between sashes and have external facings of anodised aluminium to reduce maintenance. British Standards BS 644, which is the standard for wood windows, was originally published in three parts; Part 1: 1951 Wood casement windows; Part 2: 1958 Wood double-hung sash windows; and Part 3: 1951 Wood double-hung sash windows (Scottish type). This standard has been under review for some years. Part 1 has been withdrawn and Parts 2 and 3 have been declared obsolete and will be withdrawn. A revised version of BS G44 is due to be issued for public comment in the near future. The new standard is proposed to be a performance standard in line with the standards for windows of other materials. ‘Window performance is categorised by BSI into two seetions, requirements for wweathertightness and requirements for ‘operation and strength. ‘The standard tests for assessing the performance of windows are set out in BS 5868 Methods of testing windows. Itis in four parts, each attributed to different performarice requirements as follows: Part 1: 1976 Air permeability; Part 2: 1980 Watertightness under statie pressure; Part 8: 1978 Wind resistance tests; and Part 4: 1978 Form of test report. BS 6375: Part 1 Classification of weathertightness lays down the criteria against which the results obtained from BS 5368 are classified. BS 6375: Part 1 was first issued in 1983 and is being revised to facilitate the selection and specification of windows in terms of exposure categories based on design wind pressures, "An appendix to the standard includes guidance on specification and although this, ‘will assist specifiers in comparing different ‘window types, it provides the speeifier with only limited guidance in seleeting windows appropriate to end use conditions. ‘Window product standards are currently being revised to include weathertightness by reference to BS 6375: Part 1 BS 6375: Part 2, which was published ‘early in 1987, sets out the requirements for ‘operation and strength of windows and gives performance levels to be achieved. The test Tevels are based on forces capable of being applied by the majority of people. ‘Where windows are to be used by elderly, infirm or young people it recommends that special consideration be given to the type of ‘window, its location and its hardware. More than 90 per cent of world glass is made by the float process. The European float glass industry suffered a severe recession following the 1979-80 oil erisis, when surplus manufacturing capacity coincided with a reduced market size. Prices and profitability dropped dramatically In the UK, glass prices dropped progressively against the RPI from 1981 to 1985, But with the fall in the value of sterling, the UK became and has remained an attractive market for continental clear float glass manufacturers. Later movements in exchange rates and UK manufacturing ‘cost reductions have only partly improved this situation, Processing Since 1970 the major change in the glass industry has been the development of glass processing, whereby substantially more than half the float glass is processed in some form before final installation ‘There are four principal types of processing: @ Insulation glazing — Glass is incorporated into a hermetically-sealed fuctory-made ‘multiple glazing unit whieh provides ‘thermal insulation. (Special low emissivity coatings on the glass, or filling the unit with particular eases ean further enhance the insulation.) © Coated sglass — This involves, within the float manufacturing process or as an ‘off Tine’ process, the deposition of various, usually metallic, coatings which modify the performance of the glass in terms of its solar transmission, and emissivity (insulation) Coatings also create visual effects by reflected and transmitted colours. © Laminated glass — Two or more layers of glass are bonded together with plastic interlayers (or special inorganic interlayers) to provide glass that is difficult to penetrate. @ Toughened (tempered) glass — Glass is, heated and then rapidly cooled under controlled conditions. By means of this cooling residual stress is ‘frozen’ in. The result is a stronger, safer product which, when broken, fractures into small, rel harmless pieces. By far the biggest glass market sector is sealed double glazing units for domestic refurbishment (in commercial buildings double glazing has become standard). ‘With the advent of increased investment in building services, and the demand for higher standard of comfort, solar control demand has grown since the early 1970s, ‘culminating in an array of solar control and insulation produets which present complexity of choice to the specifier. ‘The development of safety glazing products and safety standards (BS 6262) in the late 1970s answered the need to reduce accidents from glazing in the home. Since then the demand for toughened and laminated safety glazing has grown substantially. 4 With the diversity of performance requirements for glazing in modern buildings (daylighting, solar heat transmission, passive solar gain, acoustic [AJ FOCUS April 987 48 ly THEME 5 Exciting use of glass showing the planar assembly at 53 State Street, Boston US. Pilkington Glass 7 EE WINDOWS AND GLAZING and thermal insulation) itis essential, for the full exploitation of glass potential, that performance requirements are defined by the designer, rather than merely relying on unconsidered product specifications. Glass manufacturers have experts to provide design advice, supported by computerised predietion techniques. Consultation must be obtained early in the design. Specifiers traditionally expeet the speculative materials supplier to provide design adviee free. This provision continues to be enhanced and extended, but there are limits to substantial speculative investment for reasons of resource and advice liability risk. ‘The glass manufacturer will advise on the implications of glass on the building, building services, lighting, heating, air-conditioning and s0 on. Advice is essential in the context of new technology manifest in ‘codes of practice and regulations. An important example is the passive use of solar energy; a south-facing window lets in ‘more useful energy than it loses during the winter heating season. This has been demonstrated by many authorities and is now established in codes and regulations. Yet, in a time of energy conservation, the majority of designers either ignore oF choose not to use this cost effective means of conservation through conven ‘Advice is available for solar glass manufacturers. ‘Technical collaboration between the EEC manufacturers has produeed a common appreach to caleulation and glass standards. ‘A high performanee glass product ean be ‘glazed inappropriately in a frame of low performance. It is important to obtain ‘compatibility between frame and glass for technical reasons (such as consistent thermal insulation) and defects avoidanee (for example the life of sealed insulation glass units depends on directing water from the edge of the sealed unit; much glazing design and practie i inadequate renting in unit failure ‘Manufacturers of basic and processed lasses rely on maximising the utilisation of expensive manufacturing equipment, by focusing on the production of standard products, No matter how wide their range, some specifiers invariably demand non standards. Manufacturers do not seek to reject this out of hand, but it is essential that specifiers understand the economic parameters under which manufacturing industry exists. On the other hand, industry ‘must seek to innovate in advance of demand and here it needs a close relationship with innovators in construction. New deve ‘The demand for security glazing against the burglar, vandal and bandit is growing. The technology of toughened, laminated and componite glass/plastie products has been developed irom other specialist industries, such as glass in air transportation. New security standards of glass and framing performance are being developed for Integration with other eritical components in the building. ‘Traditionally, wired glass has been used as fire resistant glass and it will continue to be specified in areas requiring fire containment for a specified period (G0 minutes being typical). However, like all ‘transparent glass, it transmits radiation created by fires. fo overcome this hazard in situations that require protection from radiation, special laminated glass has been developed which is normally transparent Dut which becomes opaque when subjected to high temperatures; there is much new development for fire protection. ‘Acoustic insulation against traffic and aireraft noise is inereasingly demanded. Development work has been carried out between Pilkingtons and Salford University {in the measurement and the development of sealed double glazing units for high acoustic insulation. These units inelude laminated sass and gas filling and are now produced as standard products. Solar control glasses which inhibit radiation and provide a low emissivity performance for high thermal insulation are now a mature technology. Future developments will provide the designer with fa wider range of colours and decorative effects and with enhanced insulation, achieving performances which compete with ‘the opaque insulation materials. ‘Double glazing with a coated glass for enhanced insulation will become the standard form for all double glazing. ‘Variable transmission glasses sensitive to heat and light, such as photocromic glass, are already available for specialist application (lenses, spectacles and so on}; but a significant advance in technology is to be ‘made before the variable transmission (mart) window is economically feasible. ‘A POCUS April 1087 48 DOW DATA BY MATERIAL SUMMARY OF WIN ‘Nurinium Stel Plast Standards 'BS 644 is under revision BS 4879: 1886 Alminium BS 6510: 1984. Stoel ‘No British Standards bat ‘and will include wood alloy windows. windows, sills, window _ the British Plastics ‘windows of all types on Some manufacturers boards and doors. NoBS Federation has issued 2 the basis of general and participate in BSI quality for SSor windows made trade standard for uPVC performance requirements assurance schemes from pressed sections windows Construction ‘Timber windows are made of both softwood and hardwood. BS 1186: Part 1 Quality of timber specifies requirements Workmanship should be to BS 1186: Part 2 Performance BS 644 are not normally supplied with weather stripping. Consequently thelr resistance t air and rain may be limited ‘and only satisfy the ‘minimum requirements of 'BS'6375, Most ‘manufacturers test their ‘high performance’ windows to BS 6375, Timber windows may be given an opaque finish (paint) or asemi {transparent finish (stain) ‘They can be supplied: # Inthe white « factory primed or base cost stained factory finished «clad — in plastic, stainless steel and Soon faced — in aluminium and soon Finishes ‘Thermal insulation (consider ‘condensation run- off, especially in humid conditions) ‘Timber is a good insulator, ‘wood windows have an advantage over other ‘materials in minimising Theat loss, Condensation ‘on stood window frames is virtually unimoven, Double lazing is available Sound insulation Coupled windows ean achieve reductions of 80-85 dB, sometimes more ‘These windoves function assingle windows: they are much easier to open and clean than double Windows tothe withdrawn Double aluminium windows Double windows can be Constructed of extruded aluminium to BS 1474: 1972 Wrought aluminium ‘and aluminium alloys for ‘general engineering ‘purposes. Alloy type 6068 is recommended Most manafacturers test their windows to BS 6375: Part Lratings as required in BS 4873, Many aluminium windows are rated for the highest wind load category, ‘Manufactured from rolled stel sections: compasition of the steel is specified in BS 6510. They are hot-dip galvanised to BS 728: 1971 Frames assembled from imparted hollow extrusions of rigid PVC, or extruded fand assembled in the UK. Reinforcement is usually dependent on eindloading and size ‘Most manufacturers ean provide evidence of testing to BS 4315 and srrading to BS 6875: Part 1 some types are suitable for severe exposure, All types are supplied with weather stripping and ean be either site or pre-glazed, Systems are designed for sealed double glazing units ‘Some manufseturers have tested windovrs to the superseded BS 980 to BS 4315 related to roguirements in BS 6375: Double glazing possible on all exeept small pane ‘windows Normally available mill finished — “untreated aluminium as iteomes from the die. ‘anodised — 9 protective oxide coating: Droduced by electrolytic ‘Steel windows can be normally supplied as undercoated ~ for decoration, if required, onsite, or * polyester powder-coated to BS 6407 1984 an organie stoved finish ‘available from most manufacturers ina fairly wide colour range including bright colours and white PVC windows are selffnished and available in white, greys and brown, with other colours to special order. Bright colours are best avoided ‘because of possible fading. Plastic windows ‘may be painted if desired, Due to differential expansion itis advisable toavoid mixing light and dark eolours i the same window includes stoved aerylie and polyester powders available in more colours than anodising lad — stainless steel ‘Aluminium i @ poor insulator. Take into account for heat loss taleulations. Most ‘Steel frames readily ‘conduct heat but the narrow sections reduce condensation. Wooden Plastic windows are roughly equivalent to ‘timber ones, but their ‘weatherstripping is ‘manufacturers offer Subframes Wo BS 1285 superior thermally improved will help prevent windows staining Tight fitting weather seals give relatively ‘food performance for single windows, about 29, 4B, Double windows are necessary for higher performance requirements used as with aluminium ‘ones, but problems may arise in trying to fnsure adequate sealing: by weatherstripping separated by 72-200 mm, can give very good sound reduetion up to 40 dB, especialy if the reveals are lined with absorbent materials Darability Alltimber must now be ‘The aluminium alleys used Galvanised ste] windows ‘The anticipated lite is prevervatively treated in inwwindows are very ean have along lif more than 26 years and Accordance with BS 5589 durable. Good quality, According to CP 168: mast manufacturers itrequired by BS 1186: anodising will maintain Part 2 undecorated claim a life equal to Part Durability slso the window s appearance gulvanisod steel windows that of timer windows but relleson the use of for 1520 years and the have lifeot more than this eye abe proved cornect window and organic coatings should 15 years in an urban building details last atleast 15:20 years environment Maintenance Paint every three to (OP 153: Part 2 recommends Paint every five years. PVC window frames should (includes five years. After 20 cleaning: Polyester poeder be cleaned regulary Weatherstripping years or soit may be _—-® rural site, six months coated windows only tomaintain bright putty, glaging necessary to remove ‘urban sites, one month require regular washing appearance, Painting Barsand beads, the thick layers of marin sits, one month may be required after Ironmongery)” paint and start again (void ml finish) ‘bout 20 years Installation, ‘Timber windows are Aluminium windows are Steel windows are rormally. Normally paste windows supply and fix. usually installed as ‘ormally fixed into installed as work are butt into prepared On roplacement work proceeds, Protect prepared openings. Most proceeds; consequently openings and manufacturers contracts the | from damage, High ‘manufacturers provide a they must be protected provide a supply and Window supplieror performance windows may fixing service, with the from damage. timber fix service fester sitd britain Cinkian tc tewindow rupert are hema responsible prepared openings And its installation are specified, often these the taking of Timbervwindowsare hw saps of are builtin and the site sizes usually ‘supply only’ Duta fixing servies is sometimes available eel windows fixed fone company: they should ter fe afterwards Goa better job than the freneral contractor AJ FOCUS Apeit 1981 47 AJ FOCUS/WINDOWS AND GLAZING DESIGN DATA ‘Tables analysing the basic types _ glass and sizes for sealed double of glass used in building glazed units. See also page 47 construction, the types and for a summary of data by performance of solar control material. BASIC TYPES OF GLASS USED IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Glass type Uses Nominal Normal Approx cost thickness maximum size index/mt (am) (rm) (6mm clear float pose eee eee o = taken 28 100) Gear float ‘All glazed areas where clear undistorted vision is required 2 1920 x 1220 8 3 3180 x 2100 54 4 3180 x 6000 e 5 8180 x 6000 59 6 BO x 6000 a2 0 8800 x 6000 203 2 ‘3800 x 6000 289 6 £3180 x 4800 326 19 ‘3180 x 4000 25 25 1804600 6083 Patterned Where a decorative glass giving privacy is required 4 2140 x 1820 96 (clear) Some patterns are available ina range of tints 4 Diao x 1320 177 (tinted) 6 2140 x 1320 5 (clear) 2 Z 6 BAO x 1320 213 (tinted) Rougheast "Knobbly texture. Used in windows, partitions and rooflighis 5 3700 x 1280 where obscuration is required 8 3700 x 1280 2 0 00 x 1280 ug Polished wired Clear wired glass for fire resistance 7 3800 x 1880 193 Rougheast wired Where fire resistance and obscuration are required T______8700x 1840 % Toughened glasses Clear oat ‘Where safety against impact is required, eg fully glazed doors 4 2800 x 1800 36 and side panels, low-level glazing, shower sereens 5 2500 x 2000 110 8 4200 x 2000, uz 10 $20 2000 er 2 4200 2000 326 5 000 x 1800, 18 000 1800, Enamelled clad Clear float which has been enamelled, fired and toughened and 6 2500 x 1800 is avallable ina range of standard colours. Usually used for 10 53500 x 1800, cladding and soon 4s above, but with insulated backing: 5 2800 x 1500 10 ‘As above, but rougheast with or without insulated backing 6 ~ 10 Body tinted float Where both safety and solar control are required + ‘2200 x 1300 163 6 4200 x 2000 ais 10 4200 x 2000 Ey 2 4200 x 2000 862 Surface modified Where both safety and solar eontrol are required 8 “4200 « 2000 185 Moat 2 4200 x 2000 7 Rougheast ‘As described above 6 BIOD« 1475 es 10 100 x 1475 2 Patterned ‘As described above 4 2000 « 1300 6 2000 x 1300 Laminated __ ~ Saltety ‘All risk areas, particularly useful n balustrades. Also usefulin 5498 Varies according 131 (4 mm) ‘ooflights since any broken glass remains adhered to the tothe 222 (88 mm) interlayer ‘manufacturer: foneult the _ _ supplier _ ‘Antibandit Security situations 752 Varies according 264 (75 mm thick) to manufacturer; 680 (21 mm thick) consnlt sinnlior AJ FOCUS Apel 1987 49 ala WINDOWS AND GLAZING Tlie resitant Avabove SBD __Varantng T9820 6 mm ED) tomanifacturer Wes noc nfrmatonsainenconlsupler Peer nar wandardworksa var onder cca ukordes disnonaot specific requirements. fe coat index nthe above ables only approximate as there aresometimesdifferencesin theprice fone thickness las denen size ordered. asec ‘ont index given for glass areas between 14 mand 40 Basten Anan Twashened Spectratoa. 4{aminated gases may alo be used for improved sound insulation Some laminated glasses eect up o 98 per ont of uta-vnet radiation, resisting fading TYPES AND PERFORMANCE OF AVAILABLE SOLAR CONTROL GLASS won the Tepet “External colour Nominal thiekness Normal maximum Approx cost index Light transmission Total solar radiant (am) ‘manufacturers per m#(6 mm lear (per cent) transmission 7 size (mm) Boat taken 25 100) (per cent) Clear float Clear 6 = 100 a am or comparison) Body tinted Moat Grey 4 2400x1220 «12 5 S Bronze 4 24aox 1220121 5 cf Green 5 2540x2100 7 3 Green 8 4400x2540 174 % él Grey 8 4600x2540 74 nt 60 Bronze 6 4600x2540 174 50 60 Grey 10 4600x2540 AE mM 8 Bronze 10 4600 x 2540 BSA 3 a Grey 2 4600x2540 4555 8 4 Bronze 2 46002540455 a “4 ‘Surface modified float Bronze 6 4600%2740 155 oT 6 Bronze 10 4600x2740 18h 51 e Bronze 2 4000x2740 S76 5 2 Sirface coated ‘Silver 6 3450 x 1980 20 4 rmonolithie fost Silver 10 $3450 x 1980 18 u Bronze 6 3450 x 1980 10 a ‘Surface coated double Bronze 10 3450 x 1980 10 2 glazing units Blue 6 3450 x 1980 30 39 Blue 10 3450 x 1980, 29 38 Surface evated double Azure a ‘3800 x 1900 a 2 slazing units 2300 x 2800 Azure Py 3300 x 1900 a 3 ‘2300 x 2800 Bronze 2 3300 x 1900 38 25 00 x 2300 Bronze m 8300 x 1900 2 16 2300 x 2300 Gola m4 3600 x 1900 36 Ey 2300 x 2300 Coral gold ” ‘3600 x 1900 23 18 300 x 2300 Coral gold m4 ‘3800 x 1900 18 wv Coral gold 2 36 2 Gold 2 2 2 Silver a 3 Es Silver 4 a 8 Silver a $3300 x 1900 2 Ey 2300 x 2800 Silver 2 $3300 x 1900 18 6 2300 x 2300 Laminsted solar Goldand bronze 6 2180 x 1520188 2m a contra glasses 10 3650x2430 401 20 4 104 3650 x 2480 20 24 Dark brown, 4500 x 2000 9 = Brown 4500 x 2500 Py = Bronze 4500 x 2500 88 = Where no cost information is given, eonaull supplier Prices for non-standard stock sizes and thicknesses vary considerably secording to bulk ‘ordering, discounts or specific performance requirements [tis not possible, therefore, to give a fair comparative cost and this index is only ‘approximate {The lstof glass given is only representative, Other thicknesses, colours and performances may be possible; consult supplier or manufacturer. {For areas between 4 and 98 me 50 AJ FOCUS Apeil 1987

You might also like