Unitized Structural Glazing
Unitized structural glazing is a special type where modules typically one mullion bay wide by one floor high are assembled and glazed offsite and then hung on the exterior of the building. This system comes pre-assembled; it is pre-glazed at the factory and installed at the site. In the process, it minimizes field labor and erection costs and promises a shorter installation period than the stick system. Unitized systems handle movement much better than most others because each panel is gasketed together to be able to move independently with the structure, and the additional movement capacity of the anchors. Generally, these systems are used on mid-rise to high-rise structures that are 20,000 sq. ft. and up to where there is high repetition and tight job site access.
Unitized Structural Glazing is used extensively in skyscrapers, with glass facades a ubiquitous feature in the financial centres of cities across the globe. Strengthened, laminated glass can also be used in floors, roofs and frameless glass walls at home.
Features of Unitized Structural Glazing
