Understanding Hurricane Product Approvals - Curtainwall Spans.

Used primarily in commercial buildings, residential architects are incorporating curtainwall systems into residential designs. There are many more complex engineering and installation challenges when using these systems.

- Maximum single span is your height without an intermediate anchors.
- Intermediate anchors require either a slab or steel beam to provide support to the system.
- Glass Load Capacity and Jamb Mullion Load Capacity both must be factored together to determine your maximum glass size.
- The system needs to be designed with a fenestration/facade engineer and the details need to be followed precisely by the installation subcontractor.
- Very few residential window installers have the expertise to work with curtainwall systems and an experienced curtainwall specific team needs to be used.

I help architects, builders, and owners select, specify, and detail luxury residential hurricane glazing systems without manufacturer or dealer biases and give classes to educate on glazing systems and glass energy performance and aesthetics.