The spider glazing system is one of the most successful ways of decorating the facade. This technology is also known as planar. It appeared on the market relatively recently and at the moment it has already won a lot of fans. Mostly a spider facade glazing system is used in respectable buildings of business centers, hotel complexes and hotels. This area of application indicates a unique aesthetic effect that no other exterior technology is able to provide. Along with this, planar glazing is valued for its strength and reliability.
Technology features
This system is performed without frames, that is, as a result, a continuous glass coating consisting of panels is obtained. Fixing is carried out due to special brackets called spiders, hence the name of the technology. Although such glazing has certain limitations, it can be used to design roofs and facades with different designs and shapes. For wide opportunities for the implementation of architectural solutions, engineers and designers highly value spider systems. Glass facades according to this technique can be installed without any special requirements for supporting foundations. That is, the reliability criteria are not canceled, but the list of supporting elements may be different. For example, not every system can be fixed to lattice structures, suspensions and pipes, and the glider system allows such installation to be performed. Again, subject to safety rules and only if the supporting component is able to withstand the necessary load.
Planar glazing device
Despite the innovative approach in the form of a frameless design, the spider facade is realized from the usual set of structural parts and glass. The only difference is the increased strength of the glass panels and, of course, the brackets themselves. In a typical design, the spider system includes the mentioned glass panels, support subsystems (load-bearing elements) and fixing parts in the form of spider brackets. This is a general principle of the planar system, however, depending on the installation conditions, glazing requirements and decorative qualities, different installation schemes can be used.
Types of Spider Glazing
There are two main approaches to the design of facades through spider technology. This is a “cold” and “warm” glazing. In the first case, as the name implies, the design does not provide high thermal insulation performance. For installation, high-strength tempered glass is used in the form of panels that are mounted on brackets. If a “warm” spider system is used, the facade will be able to provide high thermal protection. A feature of this installation is the use of special double-glazed windows that prevent the penetration of cold air flows. On the contrary, their tightness does not allow to release heat from the house. The advantages of this installation technique include the appearance, which is also provided by double-glazed windows.
Construction materials
The basis of the structure is formed by brackets, subsystem and glass panels. Both materials can have different sizes and performance characteristics. Spiders are usually made of metal. The main difference between the brackets is that they can be fixed with a different number of bolts - from 1 to 4. The choice of kit depends on the conditions in which the spider facade glazing system is mounted. The material for the subsystems is not only made of metal - if the loads are low, then glass and even wood can be used. The greatest variety in the choice of materials relates to glass panels. They can be represented by laminated products, triplex, sun-protection and energy-saving glass coatings. It is worth noting that it is the combination of glass and metal that provides planar facades with a presentable and solid appearance. At the same time, the designs are reliable, since the metal elements are stainless steel, and the glass has qualities such as impact resistance and heat resistance.
Mounting technology
The installation of glass panels is carried out on a prepared basis, after which it is fixed using brackets. As already mentioned, the planar design of the facade can be performed on almost any load-bearing elements, provided they meet the requirements of reliability. Therefore, the most widespread spider glazing system with fastening on existing structures in the form of suspensions, pipes, various holders and supporting parts. This approach allows you to save the cost of mounting panels and at the same time guarantee high strength. The final step in the installation often becomes the sealing of the seams. In any case, small gaps remain between the panels. If you leave them, the facade will get good ventilation, but its heat-saving function will be minimal. Therefore, in order to ensure the tightness of the glazing, special trowel pastes are used.
Benefits of Spider Glazing
The growing popularity of planar systems is due to a wide range of their advantages. It is important to note that these are not only external advantages that even a specialist can not evaluate, but also structural advantages. So, the spider glazing system has the following advantages:
- Low thermal conductivity of the elements used, which helps to increase the energy-saving function of the facade.
- Wide design capabilities for the installation of various facades.
- A huge number of options for the implementation of design and architectural solutions, due to which you can organically combine the aesthetic qualities of the facade with the surrounding area.
- Most spider elements are interchangeable.
- Technical characteristics of the structures make the facade resistant to temperature changes and wind loads.
- The ability to repair in certain areas without dismantling adjacent serviceable facade elements.
Disadvantages of Spider Glazing
Planar systems, undoubtedly, are the most technologically advanced of modern solutions for glazing facades. Nevertheless, they also sin with flaws, although there are much fewer of them than advantages. First of all, the spider system can cause a lot of problems in the calculations. From the point of view of installation technology, the design can be called unpredictable, and the inability to clearly define the installation scheme with specific values sometimes reduces the quality of the finished facade. Another drawback is the deflection of the glass. Such deformation is not dangerous for the high-strength panels themselves, however, its long-term effect on the fasteners can lead to destructive processes. However, for the prevention of deforming phenomena, articulated bolts are used that compensate for the loads while maintaining the integrity of the facade.
Alternative application of spider technology
It would be wrong to attribute the technique of spider fastening of facade panels exclusively to the exterior glazing of buildings. The strength and aesthetically attractive appearance of this design allows it to be used in the interiors of offices, studios, salons and shopping centers. In particular, a spider system for glass is used when installing internal partitions. The strength requirements in this case are not so stringent, which expands the design capabilities of the use of spiders. The same applies to glass panels - in the room they are not affected by large loads, which leads to a wider choice of material.
Conclusion
The planar facade design system successfully continued the concept of frameless glazing. New brackets significantly improved the technology of continuous fixation of panels. As a result, the spider system allows for high fastening strength, adding to the advanced features of structural solutions and decorative qualities. Of course, not without negative factors from the use of planar glazing, but skillful and thoughtful installation allows you to level the effect of such effects. For example, the formation of deflections under loads can be compensated by hinged clamps, and the insufficient thermal insulation can be corrected by sealing interpanel seams.