jamesutherland
Curtain Walling at Pennywell Academy 360- 036
Curtain Walling is a non-load bearing glazing system which is generally hung on a buildings structure (hence the curtain reference), but can also be dead loaded. Curtain walling forms an integral part of a buildings envelope and there are a number of factors that must be taken into account during its design including; weather tightness (air permeability, water tightness, wind resistance), acoustic requirements, thermal performance, solar shading, and ventilation. Curtain walling is usually characterised by a square or rectangular grid of mullions and transoms, however designs can be further enhanced to incorporate facets, curves, sloped roofs, ridges, hips and valleys. Curtain wall facades can also incorporate a variety of inserts including; Windows (concealed vents, tilt & turn, pivots, top/side hung), photo voltaic panels and Doors. The curtain wall facades aesthetic appearance can be manipulated to offer a flush appearance with the exclusion of face caps (SSG), or can be given enhanced vertical or horizontal emphasis using a Trame/Aerofoil face cap.
Dortech (www.dortech.co.uk) are approved fabricators of Schuco, Technal and Senior Architectural Systems Curtain Wall Systems. Each suppliers visible grid curtain wall suite works around three basic elements; 1) A back box which determines the rigidity and structural span capabilities of the system, 2) A pressure Plate which is mechanically tensioned to retain the glass and 3) A face cap to give a neat external finish. The face caps are available in a number of different designs from each of our suppliers. Most commonly they are supplied with a square or 'aerofoil' type design.
The major differences between these systems is in how they drain; they can either be zone/transom drained or mullion drained. For transom drained curtain wall systems drainage holes are routed out of each transom face cap to allow water to drain through the system. This mechanism is called 'zone' drainage as any water is drained out of the transom above each pane of glass. For mullion drained systems, water is channelled along the transoms and down the curtain wall systems mullions. This method is often the preferred application for medium to high rise glazed screens which can be difficult/costly to clean regularly i.e. it reduces the potential of water markings on the glass. Curtain wall screens can be faceted to varying degrees, raked and can be designed on either a positive of negative gradient providing sufficient structural support is provided. Dortech has a considerable amount of experience in designing, manufacturing and installing the following visible grid curtain wall suites:
Curtain Walling at Pennywell Academy 360- 036
Curtain Walling is a non-load bearing glazing system which is generally hung on a buildings structure (hence the curtain reference), but can also be dead loaded. Curtain walling forms an integral part of a buildings envelope and there are a number of factors that must be taken into account during its design including; weather tightness (air permeability, water tightness, wind resistance), acoustic requirements, thermal performance, solar shading, and ventilation. Curtain walling is usually characterised by a square or rectangular grid of mullions and transoms, however designs can be further enhanced to incorporate facets, curves, sloped roofs, ridges, hips and valleys. Curtain wall facades can also incorporate a variety of inserts including; Windows (concealed vents, tilt & turn, pivots, top/side hung), photo voltaic panels and Doors. The curtain wall facades aesthetic appearance can be manipulated to offer a flush appearance with the exclusion of face caps (SSG), or can be given enhanced vertical or horizontal emphasis using a Trame/Aerofoil face cap.
Dortech (www.dortech.co.uk) are approved fabricators of Schuco, Technal and Senior Architectural Systems Curtain Wall Systems. Each suppliers visible grid curtain wall suite works around three basic elements; 1) A back box which determines the rigidity and structural span capabilities of the system, 2) A pressure Plate which is mechanically tensioned to retain the glass and 3) A face cap to give a neat external finish. The face caps are available in a number of different designs from each of our suppliers. Most commonly they are supplied with a square or 'aerofoil' type design.
The major differences between these systems is in how they drain; they can either be zone/transom drained or mullion drained. For transom drained curtain wall systems drainage holes are routed out of each transom face cap to allow water to drain through the system. This mechanism is called 'zone' drainage as any water is drained out of the transom above each pane of glass. For mullion drained systems, water is channelled along the transoms and down the curtain wall systems mullions. This method is often the preferred application for medium to high rise glazed screens which can be difficult/costly to clean regularly i.e. it reduces the potential of water markings on the glass. Curtain wall screens can be faceted to varying degrees, raked and can be designed on either a positive of negative gradient providing sufficient structural support is provided. Dortech has a considerable amount of experience in designing, manufacturing and installing the following visible grid curtain wall suites: