Do you think that building glass curtain walls is a difficult task? The quotations are dazzling, the names of the materials are incomprehensible, and the construction team promises to make sure, but after a few years, the glass leaks, fogs, and explodes? The maintenance costs are so expensive that you will vomit blood! Don’t worry, we have been doing this for so many years, and we have made it clear to you the pitfalls that owners are most likely to step on. Follow the instructions, spend less money, and use the glass curtain wall for more than ten years!
The first pitfall: Finding a random person to design for cheapness
Where is the design pitfall? Some designers do not know how strong the wind, snow, and earthquakes are in order to win the bid at a low price. As a result, the glass was installed for less than two years, and it cracked when the wind blew, or it was deformed due to thermal expansion and contraction, leaking and air leakage, and it could not be repaired, so it had to be dismantled and redone!
The second pitfall: The glass used in the glass curtain wall only asks “is it thick”
Where is the pitfall? Laymen think that the thicker the glass, the better and more expensive it is. Wrong! Ordinary thick glass may be heavy and not heat-insulating. Use cheap thick single-layer glass to pretend to be “energy-saving glass (hollow Low-E), but you will spend more money but still feel cold in winter and hot in summer, and your electricity bills will go up!
Simple note: Ask clearly whether it is “double-glazed hollow with Low-E film” (basic version) or the more advanced “three-glazed two-cavity”. Don’t just listen to the thickness!
The third pitfall: the materials in the glass curtain wall contract are “ambiguous”
Where is the pitfall? The contract says “national standard aluminum alloy”, but the cheap “recycled aluminum” is installed, which is as thin as paper and will rust through in two years in coastal cities! Or it says “high-quality sealant”, but the cheap one is used, which will crack and leak in three to five years.
How to avoid the pitfall?
The material name is written in stone!
Aluminum profile: The brand (such as Fenglu, Yalu, Xingfa and other big brands) and specific model (such as 6063-T5/T6) must be clearly stated, and the thickness must be clearly stated (such as the main load-bearing part ≥3mm).
Glass: Specify the original film manufacturer (South Glass, Xinyi, Taiwan Glass, Saint-Gobain and other big manufacturers), and clearly state that it is “double silver Low-E hollow laminated” Or what configuration.
Sealant: Write down the brand (Sibao, Baiyun, etc.) and specific model (such as structural glue 995, weather-resistant glue 791).
Inspection before entering the site: When the materials are transported to the construction site, you or the supervisor you hired will take the contract and samples to inspect the goods on the spot! Look at the brand, thickness (measure with a caliper!), and warranty. Wrong? Return it immediately!
The fourth pitfall: There is a “trick” in the quotation of glass curtain wall sealant
Where is the pitfall? Some construction teams quote a low unit price for the glue, but the actual amount is 30% more for you! Or the glue joints are narrow and shallow, which is useless and will leak quickly.
How to avoid pitfalls?
Calculate the amount yourself: The glue amount is about = Total length of glue joint (m) × width of glue joint (mm) × depth of glue joint (mm) × 1.5 ÷ 1000 = How many liters. Let the construction team calculate it for you according to the drawings, and cut it if it is unreasonable!
Keep an eye on the glue joint size: Keep an eye on the site, the glue joint width must be at least 6 mm (8 mm in places with many earthquakes), and the depth is half of the width! Too narrow and too shallow is equivalent to a waste of time, and it will leak!
The fifth pit: “cutting corners” on the drainage hole
Where is the pitfall?There is a “sewer” (drainage holes and passages) inside the curtain wall. Some construction teams make fewer holes, smaller holes, or simply forget to open them to save trouble! The result is a heavy rain, and the water cannot be drained out, and it flows back into the house, causing the wall to mold and the floor to soak!
How to avoid the pitfall?
Count the holes!Take the design drawing and count the number of drainage holes opened during installation to see if the position is correct. Use a ruler to measure the hole diameter (generally not less than 5mm).
Pour water to test!When the installation is almost done, find a place (preferably a high-rise building), use a mineral water bottle (500ml) to pour water into the gap of the curtain wall, and see if it can flow out within 10 seconds. Slow flow or water accumulation? No! Must be redone!
The sixth pitfall: glass curtain wall glue muddy things
Where is the pitfall? Glue is the lifeblood of waterproofing! Some workers don’t apply primer, don’t insert backing materials (foam sticks), apply glue crookedly, or rush to work in the hot sun or when it’s about to rain, so the glue doesn’t stick at all! After two or three years, the whole line will crack, and it will be a pain to repair.
