Hurricane Resistant Glazing Systems for Luxury High Rise Residential Developments
Wind Loading requirements for architectural glazing are calculated per architectural design, based on the wind speeds within specific locations. This means that each project needs to have its wind loading requirements calculated at the start of a project as the wind loads vary from site to site. There are various site locations that will have higher wind loading requirements than others such as coastal projects and rural locations, compared to projects within sheltered cityscapes.
Projects that are located out of a sheltered environment will need to be designed to withstand the additional wind forces present in the area. The wind loading requirement for a building is derived from the general wind speed in the area and factors that affect how the wind transmits load onto the building. It’s not only the location that affects the wind loading requirements, the shape and height of a building may also affect how pressure from the wind impacts the building.
Prior to specifying architectural glazing, a structural engineer or architect will need to arrange for the wind load requirements to be calculated. From these measurements, IQ is able to design architectural glazing to meet the specific requirements for the project.
Glazing on high rise buildings can be difficult to specify when trying to create a contemporary, minimalistic aesthetic while adhering to wind loading requirements. More and more high-rise luxury residential developments are being designed and constructed with modern architectural design at the forefront of each project. To meet these highly sought-after aesthetics IQ offer the minimal windows 4+ sliding door which boasts hurricane and impact resistant properties with slim aluminium framing.
What is hurricane glazing?
Hurricane resistant glass and the accompanying glazing system have been tested against tropical storms that have taken a cyclonic form. A hurricane is generally defined as a cyclonic storm that has reached wind speeds of 74mph or higher. Testing glazing systems for hurricane resistance means that it will be able to prevent water from leaking through the frames (as flooding often occurs in these storms), as well as withstanding strong winds and high-velocity projectiles associated with hurricanes to ensure minimal damage to the property.
In the UK it isn’t overly common to experience wind speeds seen in Hurricanes, however, some coastal locations can encounter exceptionally strong wind forces, therefore it is very wise to be fully prepared for severe storms, especially on high rise or coastal residential developments.
Hurricane Resistant Sliding Doors
The minimal windows® 4+ sliding door system is designed to withstand the harshest conditions and has been approved by the cyclic wind pressure test in accordance with TAS 203. These doors can stand cyclic wind pressures of up to 3510 Pa.
Strong winds and water can cause significant damage to high rise buildings, and although actual hurricanes are rare in the UK, it is still wise to specify glazing that can withstand high wind loads. Hurricane tested glazing such as the minimal windows 4+ sliding door, doesn’t just prevent damage repair costs but can also help to reduce the cost of energy bills thanks to the high thermal efficiency.
Hurricane Resistant Structural Glazing
IQ’s in-house developed structural glazing system, Invisio, can be specified as a hurricane resistant structural glazing solution. many of IQ’s bespoke glazing solutions can be designed to be hurricane resistant. A lot of it is down to the glass specification and how laminated glass is incorporated.
How the glazing is fixed is also a big part of this, as beaded glazing is more likely to become dislodged by the strong winds of a hurricane, whereas in glazing that is frameless, such as the Invisio structural glazing, or where the glass is bonded into the framing, like in our minimal windows systems, can withstand high wind loads and impact from flying debris without becoming damaged.
What sizes can hurricane resistant glazing be manufactured to?
The hurricane resistant glazing system is one of the largest and slimmest hurricane resistant sliding door systems available on the market. These sliding doors can be manufactured to outstanding sizes, with little to no size restrictions and sightlines from just 20mm.
These slim framed hurricane resistant sliding doors offer a super contemporary aesthetic that’s perfect for luxury high rise apartments. With slim sightlines, these sliding glass doors provide minimal visual obstruction to surrounding views.
The 4+ sliding door system from minimal windows is typically triple glazed to achieve Uw values as low as 0.8 (depending on the pane size). The benefits of this hurricane resistant glazing system spec are in its resistance to impact as well as burglar resistance and acoustic reduction.
If these impact-resistant sliding doors are desired to replace existing glazing systems then it’s recommended that the whole of the existing system is replaced, including both the frame and glazing. This ensures that the system is working as it is designed and performs to its tested performance levels.
To further enhance the glazing specification of these sliding doors, the glass can be designed with additional properties such as; low iron glass, solar control glass, low maintenance glass, IQ heated glass and privacy glass.
What are the options for hurricane sliding doors?
Due to the large sizes of the 4+ sliding door system, the glazed panes can become very heavy. IQ recommends all sliding doors that weigh over 500kg to be automated to provide ease of use.
To enhance the minimalistic design of the minimal windows 4+ sliding door, the system can be designed into a pocket door configuration – this system is able to be designed with up to three panes sliding into a pocket door cavity. This system is also possible in an opening corner design to achieve exceptional openings for high rise residential properties.
To specify this hurricane resistant glazing system, speak to a member of the team by calling 01494 722 880 or send an email to hello@iqprojectsuk.com
Carly Coren
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