Kawneerosphere

Seeing Green

There were a record number of attendees and exhibitors at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago this year. Encouraging, I’d say, that the energy around green building is still going strong especially since it’s been a challenging year for green building press.

The major industry news event this year has been the allegations against U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) regarding misrepresentations of the performance of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certified buildings. But even before the USGBC story made headlines, it seemed the whole year was filled with articles and bloggers generally grumbling about LEED buildings not performing any better (or worse in some cases) than a non-LEED or non-green building. Despite the negative media views, this year’s Greenbuild showed no sign of decreased excitement from years past.  I saw a lot of energy as well as a desire from everyone there – attendees, exhibitors and media – to ensure that the concept of sustainable design and green building are here to stay.   

But not without some improvements of course…

The new version of LEED just went out for public comment and among other modifications and additions it included proposals for a more integrated design process as well as more stringent commissioning and measurement requirements.  The FTC has also proposed an overhaul on its “Green Guides” to help companies avoid making misleading environmental claims about their products.

There’s no argument that buildings use an incredible amount of energy, water and other valuable resources. We need to make sure that we are all taking the idea of sustainability seriously, so that we keep the momentum going strong.

This was a big year for green building news. I’d love to hear from you about what news made the biggest impact on you and what you are doing to help keep the momentum going.

Best,

Lisa

Preventable Storefront Failures

In my previous posting I wrote about some common causes of curtain wall failures and how the glazier can prevent them during fabrication, assembly and installation steps.  As you may have guessed, I have also been asked about other systems (please, keep the questions coming) and if there are similar issues where quick remedies could have prevented the system failures.

 

Storefront systems typically do not have to meet some of the performance requirements inherent to multi-story curtain wall systems. That said, there are several potential deficiencies that can lead to leaks, condensation or excessive air infiltration. 

 

Establishing and maintaining a clear path for water evacuation is critical in flush-glazed storefronts because they use a “gutter and downspout” method of controlling water within the system.  Believe it or not, the glass itself is one potential obstruction to a clear evacuation path.

• Issue One:  Water has drained down the vertical glass pocket and collected on top of the lower lite of glass where it has diverted toward the interior of the framing.
• Issue Two: Over time, water that has collected on top of the lower lite of glass has caused failure of insulated lites themselves. 
• Remedy: Installing water deflectors at the intermediate horizontals and positioning them so that they extend past the edge of the lower lites will maintain proper water control.

 

<-- Water that infiltrates a storefront system is channeled down the vertical members to the sill and can weep out from there.

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Water deflectors are applied to the ends of the glass pockets and span across the ends of the glass below to force water to drop down the verticals (downspouts).

 

 

 

Sill flashing presents its own set of issues that can arise on a storefront installation. Over the years, I have had a number of conversations regarding the correct shimming of sill flashing, location of the seals and proper installation of end dams. 

•  Issue One: Water is running up over the sill flashing.
• Remedy: When installing sill flashing, it is important to raise it off the floor and to level it.  Providing a step-down from the frame’s sill will help evacuate water away from the flashing, rather than allowing it to settle against it. 
• Issue Two:  Trapped or accumulated water in the frame has lead to leaks at the back of the sill flashing. 
• Remedy: This could have been caused by improperly sealing over the joint between the flashing and the sill member, or from locating the sealant bead in the bottom corner against the back leg of the flashing reducing the dam height of the sill and leading to leaks.  The sealant should be located along the top of the upturned leg of the flashing to provide the maximum possible dam height.

<-- Here you can see a cut through the sill flashing and the seam the water runs out.  The water seeps out between the sill and the flashing. Note that if the installer caulks over the seam instead of under the flashing it prevents the water from exiting as designed.

 

 

• Issue Three: Water collecting on the sill flashing has penetrated the corners of the framing and entered the building.
• Remedy: Properly install end dams and seal their contact points; note it is also important to mechanically pin the end dams to the flashing with a small screw to keep them properly positioned.  Also note:  All fasteners that penetrate the sill flashing should be sealed over.  Remember even the tightest screw can allow water to seep under the screw head and down the threads.

Here you can see how the end dams are placed under the sills and then caulked and fasten into placed.  This allows the end damn to move with the sill during expansion and contraction. Note that if the installer caulks over instead of under the flashing it prevents the water from exiting as designed.  Note that the flashing does not run under the door jamb, but only to the outside edge.  Sealant should be run along the edges where the sill meets the door jamb and into the glass pocket creating a slope to force the water back onto the flashing -->

 

Connecting joints, expansion joints and splices are typical metal to metal contact points that pose an opportunity for water to work its way into the framing system. 

• Issue One:  Water is leaking into the framing system at the joints where horizontal framing members intersect with the verticals.
• Remedy: Because of the design of storefront systems, critical seals at these metal to metal contact points are necessary to force the water down and away from the joints.  Be sure to seal properly and per the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
• Issue Two: Undue stress on the perimeter fasteners around their seals have caused leaks to occur.
• Issue Three:  Excessive expansion has caused entrances adjacent to a long run of sidelites to bind and not latch properly.
• Remedy: Locating expansion joints per the manufacturer’s recommendations for said storefront system can prevent issues two and three.  Be sure to check the correct installation instructions for your specific framing system.
• Issue Four: A sill flashing splice joint has been exposed to excessive amounts of water and is showing evidence of deterioration. 
• Remedy: If the sill flashing is spliced too close to an intermediate vertical member, they can be exposed to excessive amounts of water.  Splices should use manufacturer recommended locations and materials. Note:  When using a metal splice, it is important to use bond-breaker tape where indicated to prevent three-side adhesion that can result in torn seals.

<-- The sill flashing, like all other members, will also expand and contract.  For runs longer that 12’ we recommend a splice joint.  To achieve this, the flashing should be installed with a 1/2” gap between the two pieces.  The installer should run silicone down both edges and apply the Kawneer Xpandr® splice sleeve pre-bent so it runs up the height of the rear up-turned leg across the gap.  The bottom of the splice sleeve has a temporary adhesive to hold it in place until the silicone cures permanently.  Once the splice is pressed into place, silicone will ooze through the holes.  The excess sealant should be tooled (wiped) off.

 

 

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Note that the flashing should never be spliced directly under a vertical intermediate.  The higher volume of water increases the risk of leaking through the splice into the interior of the building.

 

Unwanted glass movement can lead to a variety of issues. Even in markets where seismic activity is not an issue, vibrations from traffic or construction can cause the glass to “walk” into the deep pocket of the frame.

• Issue One: Glass shifting has occurred and contact with glazing gaskets has been minimized in some locations causing air and/or water leakage.
• Issue Two: Glass breakage has occurred due to extreme over-shifting and continued contact between the edge of the lite and framing members.
• Remedy:   Installing side blocks as specified will prevent unwanted glass movement that can lead to either issues outline above.

 

<-- To install the “W” side blocks, the installer flattens it and slides it into the gap between the gap of the glass and the mullion.  A putty knife is used to push it all the way into the glass pocket where it will spring back to its normal shape and prevent the glass from “walking” back into the deep pocket.

 

 

As noted before, none of these issues are outside the glazier’s control.  Following the systems’ installation instructions and paying close attention to the details of each project will ensure the required performance is obtained.

 

Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

 

 

Preventable Curtain Wall Failures

Of the many topics and products covered by Kawneer’s Commercial Training Department, one that has resonated the most in recent years has been a segment called “Preventable Curtain Wall Failures”. 

 

We all know the cost of call-backs and remedial work can often make the difference between profit and loss. And all too frequently it feels like glaziers are required to accept responsibility for things they cannot control.  Contrary to this feeling, when fabricating and installing a curtain wall, the most common causes of system failure are entirely within the glazier’s ability to address and prevent.

I’d like to share with you the most common sources of system failure as reported by our installation managers and curtain wall engineers.  These do not lie with the building structure itself or with other trades, but can be addressed and prevented by the glazier.

 

The first source of potential failures  — Seals around and within the curtain wall system.  The perimeter caulk joint serves two main purposes: preventing air/moisture from penetrating the façade of the building and separating dissimilar materials.  Since curtain wall systems are required to be able to move with the building, wind load drift, live load deflection and creep and shrinkage can all strain and potentially tear inadequate perimeter seals. 

Shop drawings and installation instructions will indicate the sizes and locations of the perimeter seals in relation to the framing members. 

• If the project’s shop drawings indicate a ½-inch perimeter seal to allow for the aforementioned field conditions, installing a mere ¼-inch joint can lead to leaks, condensation and even glass breakage.
• There should be no gaps in the perimeter seal, nor should it interfere with the ability of the system to weep (or drain) out any infiltrated water. 
• The perimeter seal should also isolate the exterior and interior framing members from each other so cold exterior air is not in contact with the interior facing jambs, heads and sills — thereby reducing the potential for condensation.

Other sealant related failures can result from inadequately cleaning the contact surfaces and from using sealants that are not compatible with all the materials that they come in contact with.  Omitting any of a curtain wall system’s critical internal seals that contribute to the overall air and water tightness of the system can also result in failures.

 

 
 
<-- Be sure to apply all of the manufacturer's critical seals as shown on their installation instructions. Each seal contributes to the air and water tightness of the system.

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At right, an example of the seals at the horizontal joint in one of our curtain walls.  Note: the sealant over the fastener head and around the joint plug.  The omission of either can provide a seam to allow air and water to be drawn into the system.

 

 

  
A second source of potential failures concerns the assembly and installation of the components themselves. 

Shims: Simple decisions like supplying shims of the proper composition and installing them at the correct locations can prevent unnecessary stress on the frame and the glass.  Non-load-bearing shims can compress.  Wood shims can deteriorate.  Shims located under the anchors and not between the anchors and the mullions transfer excessive loads to the anchors themselves and to the perimeter fasteners.

 

<-- The shims at the mullions should be located between the mullion and the anchor.

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The function of the system anchors is to attach the curtain wall to the building and to transfer its load to the structure itself.  If the shims are located under the anchor, the weight of the system will bow the anchor, and put excessive stress on the perimeter fasteners themselves.

 

Setting Blocks: Glass failure is too often the result of installing setting blocks not designed for the system or from locating them improperly.  Kawneer’s setting blocks are designed and tested specifically for the individual system.  Their size and hardness is critical.  Setting blocks without the correct hardness can strain the lites.  Setting blocks of the incorrect size can create improper pressure points on the glass lites or the spacers.

Gaskets: Most gaskets are designed to be cut into individual pieces not to be run continuous around corners.  Stretched gaskets of insufficient length will shrink-back.  Gaskets run around corners will pull away.  Gaps can allow air to infiltrate and condensation can result.

 

<- Unless using a system with molded gasket assemblies, one continuous gasket will pull away at the corners and allow air and water infiltration.
 

 

 

 

A third source of potential failures concerns water management. 

Because of the manner most curtain wall systems control water, it is critical to properly locate weep holes in pressure plates and covers.  It is also imperative to establish and maintain the required air seals in the system.  If the pressure plate fasteners are not those designed for the system, are not located as specified in the installation instructions, or the proper level of torque is not applied to them, air can infiltrate and draw moisture with it.

<- The weep holes in the pressure plate and cover are also offset in a stair-step pattern to prevent any water from being blown back into the system by wind currents.

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Some applications, such as impact framing, require closer spacing of the pressure plate fasteners.  In many cases the 9” on-center is reduced to 6” or even 3”.  If the proper torque is not applied, a fastener in every hole will still not prevent air and water infiltration.

 

In Kawneer’s 100+ years, we have visited our share of jobsites.  Too often expensive remedial work is the result of something as simple as the lack of attention to what is thought of as a minor detail.  What are some areas of concern for you?

I’d love to talk to you more about how we can work together to prevent failures and ensure the success of a job.

Best Regards,

Chris

Water Testing: Friend or Foe?

Based on the title, you probably already know which side of the aisle you fall on. Architects, building owners, testing labs and consultants love water tests that shine a spotlight on any hidden defects that could pose future problems for a structure. Contractors, glaziers and even some product designers rue the day of water testing. Okay, so maybe both of these stances are exaggerations, but for some they aren’t far off.

Why do we get all worked up over water testing? Simple - it is a critical path item on most every project nowadays whose outcome can propel or hinder a project. What we in the industry must realize is that water testing is necessary, but not necessarily bad. The key is to understand the testing purpose, methods and procedures, as well as what is permitted within the scope of the test.

Unfortunately water testing procedures are sometimes misunderstood or flat out not followed. I have seen garden hoses used in numerous AAMA (American Architectural Manufactureres Association) 501.2 tests with no water pressure gauge, AAMA 502 tests performed in high wind conditions and even a fire hose being used in lieu of ASTM E1105 test.

Even when procedures are followed correctly and proper equipment is used, leaks in the field - can and do, still occur in fenestration products that have already been lab certified. How could this be? After all field tests are supposed to be more generous, allowing more air/water penetration to account for field conditions. Construction oversights and deficiencies in the adjacent construction to the fenestration account for much of the leaks observed.  However, when true fenestration leaks do occur, having a good plan in place allows you to solve these issues quickly and correctly.

The following steps will make sure water testing is your friend:

1. Document early and often – Even before a project takes flight a clear understanding between all parties involved can relieve conflict down the line. Documenting the Who, What, When, Where and How prior to the first lite of glass being installed is vital to avoiding conflict.
   
   a. Who will be present at the test and who will be performing the test?
   b. What type of test will be needed and what fenestration products will be tested?
   c. When will the testing be performed? It is recommended that all parties involved be present during test days.
   d. Where will the testing be performed?
   e. How many units will need to be tested to satisfy all parties?
   
   
2. Test early – Detecting a leak before it can become a major problem will save you in the long run. Be sure to test a representative sample. After all you don’t want to test your Cadillac when you’ve got a whole line of Yugo’s to go with it. This will only create more opportunity for bigger problems in the future.
    
3. Know the test methods, procedures and purpose - This one seems like a no brainer, but it is amazing the amount of confusion surrounding tests using water and air. This is another instance where the details are the difference. Will you use cyclic or static air? What is the rating of the product?  When can you use AAMA 502 vs. AAMA 511? 
   
   
4. Who has your back? - When fenestration leaks occur on lab certified products it is best to promptly involve the manufacturer for insight and help. Kawneer offers a vast array of customer service options from our interactive websites with installation instructions and details to our knowledgeable sales force to helpful regional project managers. Whatever the product question there is always someone in the Kawneer family ready, willing and able to assist you.

So while water testing can reveal leaks and deficiencies, take heart in knowing that revealing those now, will prevent you from seeing the effects of those leaks down the line. Allowing water testing to be your friend will make for a better project now and in the future.

 

Trivia – In what year was AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) formed?

Best regards,

Chris Lipp

Details are the Difference

We all love new technology that makes our lives better-I know I do.  Cell phones, computers and automobiles all enrich our lives in very visible ways. But what about the inventions the average Joe doesn’t think about, but is exposed to everyday? Things like thermally broken curtain wall systems, double glazed windows and screw spline technology are common to industry professionals, but probably foreign words to everyone else.  So what makes certain products more popular than others within a given market?  Slick marketing?  Maybe. Pricing? To a degree.  What I contend makes the biggest difference is the subtle differences in the product designs.

Cell phones with Qwerty keyboards versus a standard keypad, standard transmission versus automatic or even 1080i versus 1080p HDTV’s exemplify the subtle differences that can drastically affect the way a consumer differentiates products. For the companies in the business of repeatedly creating new technology, engineering the details are an essential part of developing new and exciting products. When dealing with new ideas, materials and configurations few of us can get it exactly right the first time. Thomas Edison took over 2.5 years and 1000 attempts to develop a working light bulb. Henry Ford spent 12 years between his first car design and the famous Model T that brought Ford Motor Company prominence. Everything from simple rubber bands to complex military aircraft requires testing different materials, components, alignments and processes to maximize the new product's potential.

We at Kawneer spend a great deal of resources developing the next generation of new products for our customers. Unlike some, we have increased our drive to produce new products during this economic downturn. With construction standards such as the ASTM, AAMA and LEED developing more stringent requirements we look to be proactive in developing the next exciting product to meet these new codes, not simply reactive to codes being published.  Our new Trifab® 451UT offers unbeatable thermal performance, while our new Clearwall™ curtain wall product allows architects and glaziers the ability to achieve a monolithic look faster and cheaper without compromising safety. These feats were not achieved overnight, but with the constant “tweaking” to the designs. Many months were spent designing and testing different versions of the products until the right combination of form, function and practicality met in the middle.

Clearwall™ Curtain Wall is an innovative 4-sided Toggle Glazed (TG) curtain wall system that has multiple patents pending and a new breakthrough glass retaining mechanism.  The key to the glass retaining system is in the detais, or more specifically the toggle assemblies.  learn more >

Detail of Toggle assembly shown at left.
<< Click image to enlarge

So why should all the behind the scenes engineering matter to you? After all there are many manufacturers producing good products which meet the minimum spec. Who cares who spent more time developing the tiniest of details? WE DO! Sometimes the smallest details have significant impacts. Do you remember the blurred vision of the Hubble telescope due to an incorrect mirror size? After spending $2 billion creating the world’s greatest telescope the first space pictures came back fuzzy thanks to a mirror that had been made too flat by 2.2 microns, rendering the $2 billion telescope no better than one you could buy off eBay®! To put that in perspective a human hair is about 100 microns. Now that is an infinitesimal detail. The little details matter and that is what Kawneer engineers do best. 

Kawneer's new Trifab® 451UT (Ultra Thermal) Framing System, a new enhancement to the trusted and versatile Trifab® platform. The improved thermal performance and increased energy efficiency is accomplished by employing a "dual" IsoLock® thermal break.  Detail of dual thermal break shown at left.

<< Click image to enlarge.

The current line of products leaving the Kawneer drawing boards and entering the product testing phase is exciting and innovative. We have amazing thermally efficient products, upgrades to existing product favorites and even a few surprises, but the product engineering team here is never satisfied. We are always on the look-out for new technologies to push the envelope and achieve greater results for an ever demanding marketplace. The next time you are looking at selecting a product you can be sure that the Kawneer symbol comes with a stamp of quality in engineering. We don’t spend all the hours in the lab just because we enjoy breaking stuff; we do it to ensure you receive the highest quality product on the market and to make sure the smallest of our details are correct! Because the difference with Kawneer boils down to getting the details right!

This week’s Trivia Question – What two objects in space can the Hubble telescope never view?

The person submitting the first correct answer will be recognized next feature.

I would love to hear from you about any of our current products or send me questions about concepts not yet on the market. While I cannot divulge our top secret information I would be more than happy to answer engineering and testing questions.

 

Best regards,

Chris Lipp

Where do we go from here?

In this blog I will attempt to address the second question posed in my previous blog - When will the nonresidential construction market be back on the growth track again?

And it will be an attempt only because as the Danish physicist Niels Bohr supposedly once quipped, “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it is about the future.” To complicate the situation, this time around the nonresidential construction market recovery might lack any historical precedence.

The problem starts with the multi-faceted nature of the nonresidential construction market. It is massive in size and comprises an array of building types that have specific, even exclusive, drivers. Turnaround in a colossal, dynamic market with multiple moving parts is rarely a harmonized maneuver.  

As I previously mentioned; the market seems to be stabilizing. Productivity in the industry continues to improve. Project financing has eased a bit recently, and owners and developers are tapping into new sources of funding like private-public partnerships and private equity.  

The retail sector will likely be the first nonresidential sector to show some sustainable growth, possibly commencing during the second half of 2011. The office sector will continue to suffer from an uncertain economic recovery due to the easing of corporate profits and rising office vacancy rate, which is forecasted to peak in 2011. Any significant growth in this sector is unlikely until 2012. Additionally, the hotel sector is expected to be shackled by a lackluster travel and tourism industry until 2012.

On the institutional side of the market, state and local governments, the primary drivers of educational building construction, will be troubled by the tough financing environment and lower tax receipts. This year, many states are facing large budget deficits including California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Florida. It is still uncertain as to when the state and local governments will be able to repair their balance sheets and start to infuse substantial amount of funds into public projects.

In the healthcare sector, the potential of diminished profits due to higher borrowing costs and escalating healthcare costs is expected to reduce healthcare facility construction. Although the long-term impact of the new healthcare legislation remains unclear, especially for facilities construction, the rise in the number of people with insurance coverage is expected to increase the demand for healthcare services and consequently for healthcare facilities. This sector is likely to show some growth during the second half of 2011.

Most indicators seem to predict that the market will not experience any broad, significant growth until 2012, which is unlike what we have experienced in many of the past nonresidential construction cycles.

Have you seen any indication that we may be back on track sooner than later?

Best regards,
Andy Nag

Are we there yet?

Or to frame it in the context of the nonresidential construction market, are we at the bottom of the cycle yet?

Well, not quite yet.

By common consensus, the steepest economic recession since the Great Depression is over. But does it imply that the nonresidential construction market will inevitably follow suit? And more importantly, when will the market be back on the growth track again?

Let us address the first question above. A cursory glance at the past five cycles in nonresidential construction, stretching back to 1970s, shows that the market rebounds rather quickly (with a customary lag) following the general economic recovery after a recession. But this time around could be different. And the difference could be partially attributed to the nature of the current economic recovery.   

The overall economic recovery ambles along without much conviction. The growth in output we cheered along during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first half of 2010 seems to be running out of steam. The primary drivers of this growth were inventory restocking and the stimulus programs launched over the past year and a half. Now that the inventories have been replenished and the stimulus programs are winding down, other drivers need to come into play to maintain the momentum.

With foreclosure rates forecasted to be greater in 2010 than in 2009, the housing market recovery is anything but stable. Consumer spending, another potential growth driver, picked up during the first few months of the year but in the absence of associated income growth is unlikely to sustain. And with the high rate of unemployment persisting, consumers will be hard-pressed to rebuild their depleted balance sheets while simultaneously continuing to spend.  

This palpable uncertainty over the economic recovery is reflected in the lead indicators of nonresidential construction like contracts awarded data and the architecture billings index. Both of these indicators have recovered from the precipitous decline rates of 2009 but have stagnated over the past few months. The good news is that nonresidential construction spending is expected to find steady footing by the year’s end following two years of freefall. The bad news is that there is no indication yet of a V-shaped recovery, a pattern that was predominant in the past cycles.  

Although we are not quite there yet, we now have a fair idea about the bottom of the nonresidential construction cycle. Since we have been concentrating hard on getting a glimpse of the bottom we have not had the time to fathom how or when we are likely to climb out of this pit once we have reached the bottom. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts on the current state of the market and when you predict recovery. And, for more on what might lie in store for the nonresidential construction market, stay tuned for my next blog post later this month.

Best regards,
Andy

All Out Function

Nearly one year ago we launched 1600 SS Unitwall™, a unitized version of our popular 1600 SS™ Curtain Wall, a screw spline platform,  which was designed to provide architects and glaziers with a high quality solution that could address budget constraints and tighter construction schedules. Intended for low- to mid-rise projects, simplified fabrication and rapid installation makes 1600 SS Unitwall™ ideal for new or remodel projects.  A stack horizontal allows fully pre-glazed units to be stacked on top of one another for a true unitized curtain wall option. In addition, 1600 SS Unitwall™ is available in both a fully captured and vertical SSG version. The captured version is completely dry glazed, eliminating the use of silicone.

 

Picture of 1600 SS Unitwall™
with stack horizontal shown at left.

<-- click image to enlarge

 

 

In my earlier blog post, I shared one of the newest products Kawneer introduced to the market – Clearwall™ Curtain Wall. While Clearwall™ curtain wall epitomizes the balance between form and function, 1600 SS Unitwall™ is an all-out functional product, creatively enabling an existing screw spline system to go unitized. The benefits of going unitized need no introduction, but a system that can be both ladder built and unitized not only expands the options for glazing contractors, but also minimizes training challenges and reduces the learning curve. And, when we combine this uniqueness to cater to a low- to mid-rise segment, a unitized approach starts to make sense from the perspectives of both competency and finance (time, money).

When you are working on a project, what is your primary challenge? Is it budget? Is it the construction schedule? Or, is your biggest challenge finding the right solution that will give you a strong aesthetic while being all-out functional?

Kawneer launched the product as part of the 1600 SS platform and it was created to help meet your needs. More details can be found by following this link to our product page.

Best regards,

Jot

Balancing Form and Function

By the time you read this blog, Kawneer will have announced its new Clearwall™ curtain wall -  an innovative four-sided Toggle Glazed (TG) system (with multiple patents pending) with a breakthrough glass retaining mechanism. This exciting new addition to our range of high-performance curtain wall products provides the much admired monolithic glazing appearance while keeping the overall installed costs lower when compared to incumbent four-sided approaches. Now you are wondering, “how is this possible?”  It’s possible because of the design innovations created by Kawneer’s highly experienced product development team.  Kawneer’s Clearwall™ curtain wall achieves the sleek all-glass appearance through its aforementioned toggle system. The unique toggle assembly directly captures the inside lite of the insulating glass unit, which has a recessed spacer.  This standard glazing option eliminates any use of structural silicone to glaze the curtain wall. There are other glazing options in which you can use regular one-inch insulating glass attached with a metal interface, underscoring the flexibility inherent in the product.  With the response we have received within days of launching this product from both architects and customers, the marketplace has definitely embraced Clearwall’s approach of balancing form with function. Take a look at our new Clearwall™ curtain wall and let me know what you think about it.

 
Clearwall™ curtain wall product sample (shown at left) with toggle assembly. The toggle assembly directly captures the inside lite of the insulating glass unit, which has a recessed spacer.

<- Click image to enlarge

As a relative newcomer to this industry, it is very exciting to manage this product line for a company like Kawneer. At a certain level it is a daunting task, but our product engineers and designers are the best in the field, and with more than a thousand man-years of experience backing me up, it actually gets to be fun.  Despite the downturn in the market our resilience as a company is reflected in our continued commitment to product innovation and development. At our core, we are a solutions provider. We talk to our audience, look at the market needs and work internally to find solutions that not only meet, but also exceed those needs.

As Kawneer continues to bring additional new curtain wall products to the market – products that continue to address the demands of the market place and critical needs – we are always looking for feedback.

 

What are your needs?

 

What do you look for in a curtain wall?

There’s more to come. In other words, stay tuned.  And, I would like to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Jot

Sustainable Retailers

Following up on my previous blog post, I have to ask, “What’s keeping large volume retail chains from building green?”

Here are my “Top Four Arguments” for Chain Retailers to consider Sustainable Building Design:

• The Building builds the brand (or, weakens it) – Let’s face it.  The first image we have of a brand’s products or services is most often projected by the structure they provide for their employees and clients.  Green companies offering green products and services are expected to build green buildings.

• Increased Revenue – A no-brainer here.  Independent studies show that customers shopping in stores carrying out sustainable building design SPEND MORE MONEY. (Click here  to see summary of study from Heschong Mahone Group.) While online sales continue to grow, consumers often make their purchases on the sales floor.

• Improved Customer Experience – Natural daylighting, views, natural ventilation, and thermal comfort are just some of the attributes of sustainable design that enhance the customer experience.  And, obviously, glazed storefronts have been providing an effective means to showcase products and get consumers in stores for a long time.

• The Power of Volume – Of all the businesses out there, Retail Chains should be able to recognize the value of efficient repetition.  While geography and weather can skew results, if one prototypical store (restaurant, bank, hotel, etc.) is designed effectively, many of the attributes can be repeated in other locations reasonably.

So, what do you think?  Are retailers building stores consistent with their sustainable messaging?  If not, why?

Best regards,

Eddie Bugg