surface of the insulating unit. This adds depth to the spandrel glass and attenuates the differences in opacity between the vision and non-vision areas. PREL-COAT OPACI-COAT 300 THERMA-SPAN S P A N D R E L G L A S S INTRODUCTION Curtain walls are commonly used as building envelope. It is a lightweight, exterior cladding that usually spans multiple floors and is hung directly on the building structure. The exterior aspect of a curtain wall differs from one system to the next, but they are generally made of metal frames surrounding either glass or metal panels. Heat-Strengthened or Fully Tempered Glass? Spandrel glass is generally heat-strengthened to make it more resistant to the wind loads and high temperatures normally present in non-vision areas of curtain walls. If breakage occurs, the heat-strengthened glass will break into large sections similar to annealed glass. Heat-strengthened glass is twice impact resistant than annealed glass of the same thickness, but it cannot be considered as a safety glass. Tempered glass is usually recommended for more hazardous areas. It is high temperature resistant and is four times impact resistant than annealed glass of the same thickness. If breakage occurs, fully tempered glass breaks securely in small and dull fragments, thus ensuring public safety. Fully tempered glass meets safety glazing standards. STANDARDS ASTM C1036 Flat Glass ASTM C1048 Heat-treated flat glass CAN/CGSB 12.1 Laminated or Tempered Safety Glass CAN/CGSB 12.9 Spandrel Glass Description Spandrel glass panels are opaque and generally used in the non-vision areas of curtain walls. These types of glass panels are placed between the vision areas and are used to mask the materials or construction that could be seen from the exterior of the building. Spandrel glass is available as monolithic glass, laminated glass or insulating glass units. Depending on the colours used, spandrel glass can harmonize or contrast with the glass in the vision areas. MONOLITHIC GLASS Exterior glass Glass surfaces Prelco offers three types of spandrel glass: PREL-COAT: ceramic frit coated glass OPACI-COAT 300 : silicone coated glass THERMASPAN: opacifier film Harmonizing Glass Sections Usually, vision areas of a curtain wall are made of double insulating glass units, while the panels in non-vision areas are made of monolithic glass. To achieve visual uniformity between the vision and non-vision areas, it is best to use glass with a low percentage of visible light transmission (VLT) in both areas. For instance, vision glass units could either be constructed with an exterior tinted glass lite or with a reflective glass with pyrolithic coating on number two surface. For the spandrel glass, the same type of glass could be used with the opaque coating on number two surface. This will create a more uniformed look between the vision and the non-vision areas of the curtain wall. If a medium to high VLT percentage glass is preferred, you can attain a uniformed look by using insulating spandrel units. The opaque coating is then applied on number four LAMINATED GLASS Exterior glass Interlayer Insulating glass Exterior glass Glass surfaces Interior glass Glass surfaces Interior glass Spacer
Solar Bronze PC-9904 Evergreen PC 9902 PREL-COAT C E R A M I C F R I T C O A T E D S P A N D R E L G L A S S Solar Gray PC-9901 Lava Bronze PC-9905 DESCRIPTION Ceramic frit coating is applied to the glass using a horizontal roller-coater and then heated in an oven at approximately 1150 F (621 C). Once this treatment is complete, the ceramic frit fuses to the surface of the glass. Ceramic frit is extremely durable and resists to cracks, scratches, discoloration and harsh chemicals. AVAILABLE COLOURS Prelco offers seven standard colours and a large selection of non-standard colours. Non-standard colours are matched to samples provided by the specifier. White PC-9912 GLASS MAKEUP Monolithic Glass Charcoal PC-9903 Ceramic frit coating is applied on number two surface of the support glass*. The support glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. It is not recommended exposing ceramic coating to the elements. Use on number one surface therefore is not recommended. Fallout resistance Black PC-9907 A safety film can be applied to the back of monolithic spandrel glass. If breakage occurs, the film will provide temporary retention of broken spandrels. Laminated Glass Ceramic coating can be applied on number two, three or four surface of a laminated glass*. Each sheet of laminated glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. Large selection of non-standard colours Insulating Glass Opaque coating can be applied on number four surface of an insulating glass. Each glass sheet of the sealed unit must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Exact colours can vary from the one illustrated above. Always proceed to the evaluation of a sample placed in its final environment. Please contact us to receive exact colour samples. Prelco uses lead free ceramics which are respectful of people and the environment. Light colours may require two applications of ceramic frit coating in order to obtain the desired level of opacity. Please contact us for more details. *Certain conditions apply. Please contact us for more details.
Black 1-818 OPACI-COAT 300 S I L I C O N E C O A T E D S P A N D R E L G L A S S Harmony Blue 6-0025 DESCRIPTION Opaci-Coat 300 is a rubber-like silicone coating applied with horizontal roller-coater or a spray gun in the final stage of the spandrel glass production process (after heat-treating). Once it is applied to the glass, the coating is dried in a low heat oven. Adherence between Opaci Coat 300 and glass is optimal because the materials have very similar cellular structures. This coating is as effective as annealed glass (outdoor use only) or heat-treated glass (heat-strengthened or fully tempered). AVAILABLE COLOURS Prelco offers seven standard colours and a large selection of non-standard colours. Non-standard colours are matched to samples provided by the specifier. GLASS MAKEUP MONOLITHIC GLASS White 0-1060 Harmony Bronze 4 822 Lava Bronze 4-975 Silicone coating is applied on number two surface of the support glass*. The glass can be annealed (inside use only) or heat-treated (heat-strengthened or fully tempered). The silicone coating must not be exposed to the elements or to the public. Use on number one surface is therefore not recommended. FALLOUT RESISTANCE Harmony Grey 3-820 Opaci-Coat 300 coating, upon application, is approximately 0.008 in. (0.20 mm) thick to provide proper glass opacity. Applied in thicker coat, Opaci-Coat 300 acts as a safety film that provides temporary retention of broken spandrel. In this case, the coating must be applied at a wet film thickness of 0.013 in. (0.33 mm). Laminated Glass Silicone coating can be applied on number four surface of a laminated glass*. For exterior use, each sheet of laminated glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. Harmony Solex 2-743 Insulating Glass An opaque coating can be applied on number four surface a sealed unit. Each lite of the insulating glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. Large selection of non-standard colours ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Opaci-Coat 300 coating is free of lead, organic solvents and is self-extinguishing. The glass can be manipulated without fear of personal or environmental harm. Exact colours can vary from the one illustrated above. Always proceed to the evaluation of a sample placed in its final environment. Please contact us to receive exact colour samples. *Certain conditions apply. Please contact us for more details. Opaci-Coat 300 is a trade mark of Industrial Control Development Inc. Light colours may require two applications of coating to obtain the desired level of opacity. Please contact us for more details. www.prelco.ca
SMF-1/W SMF-1/BK SMF-2/W SMF-2/BK THERMA-SPAN F I L M C O A T E D S P A N D R E L G L A S S SMF-3/W SMF-4/W SMF-5/W SMF-6/W SMF-3/BK SMF-4/BK SMF-5/BK SMF-6/BK DESCRIPTION Therma-Span is an opaque polyester film. It can be either 0.003 or 0.004 in. (0.076 or 0.10 mm) thick, and is applied to the surface of the glass with horizontal rollers at the final stage of the production process (after heat-treating). The film is coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and applied to the glass using a process called dry laminating. Dry laminating is performed in a clean room equipped with dust filters. Therma-Span is a cost-effective film that resists to discoloration, humidity, oxidation and high temperatures. AVAILABLE COLOURS Therma-Span is available in two metallic finishes: White (W) or Black (BK). The number of available colours is multiplied by applying the film to various types of glass (i.e. clear, tinted or reflective glass). GLASS MAKEUP Monolithic Glass Therma-Span film can be applied on number two surface of a support glass*. The glass can be annealed (interior use only) or heat-treated (heat-strengthened or fully tempered). We do not recommend exposing the film to the elements or to the public. Use on number one surface is therefore not recommended. Fallout resistance Therma-Span acts as a safety film and provides temporary retention of broken spandrel. SMF-7/W SMF-7/BK Laminated Glass Therma-Span film can be applied on number four surface of a laminated glass*. For exterior use, each sheet of glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. SMF-8/W SMF-8/BK Insulating Glass This opaque film can be applied on number four surface of a sealed unit*. Each lite of the insulating glass must be heat-strengthened or fully tempered. Exact colours can vary from the one illustrated above. Always estimate a sample by doing an in-field examination. Please contact us to receive exact colour samples. *Certain conditions apply. Please contact us for more details.
Compatible Sealant and Trims Installing spandrel glass requires products which are compatible with the type of opaque coating used. For instance, spandrel glass coated with Opaci-Coat 300 must be installed with silicone setting blocks. Please contact us or visit our Web site at www.prelco.ca for more information or to obtain a list of compatible products. INSTALLATION Insulated Metal Pan To increase the level of thermal insulation in the non-vision areas of curtain walls, insulated metal pan are usually added behind spandrel glass. These metal pans are generally supplied by the curtain wall installer. Uniform Backgrounds Spandrel glass is designed to be installed against dark uniform backgrounds. Therefore, light colours may require using a lighter background. It is recommended to always evaluate a sample properly by placing it in its final environment. Spandrel glass is designed to be installed against opaque backgrounds and one should not be able to see through it. Please contact us before setting up any application allowing the light shine through the glass. Structural Silicone Glazing Certain curtain wall systems allow the installation of the glass panels without exterior pressure plates. Thus glass panels are installed to the metal structure with structural silicone sealant. When spandrel glass panels are installed this way, it is absolutely necessary to delete an opaque coating strip along the edge of the glazing. This edge deletion will provide optimal adhesion between the glass and the structural sealant. The width of the strip varies depending on the type of curtain wall, but 3/8 in. (10 mm) is generally the norm. It is not necessary to edge delete spandrel glass coated with ceramic frit. Spandrel Glass Ventilation Always provide a sufficient air gap at least 1 in. (25 mm) behind the spandrel glass in order to let humidity and excess heat circulate properly. *Certain conditions apply. Please contact us for more details.
94 boulevard Cartier Rivière-du-Loup (Québec) Canada G5R 2M9 T 418 862-2274 F 418 862-8181 www.prelco.ca sales@prelco.ca Printed in Canada SP20708 CAN: 1 800 463-1325 US: 1 888 277-3526 Graphic design: www.etincelle.ca The information contained herein is, to the best of our knowledge and belief, correct. This information is intended for reference purposes only. In no event wil Prelco MD be responsible for faulty usage of this product. The information contained herein may change as new developments occur and further experience is gained.