New design guide for structural silicone glazing released
By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released a new document that describes proper guidelines and glazing procedures for structural glazing.
AAMA SSGDG-1-17, the “Structural Silicone Glazing (SSG) Design Guidelines,” delves into a type of glazing that “offers a unique appearance and simplicity of construction that often cannot be achieved any other way,” according to a news release. Prior AAMA publications included TSGG-04, two-sided structural glazing for skylights, and CW-13-85, a structural glazing design guide.
The new guide combines those publications into a single document regarding structural glazing, for both vertical and sloped applications. “Combining two documents that discussed structural glazing made learning about the process simpler for those seeking that information,” said Kelly Broker (Dow Performance Silicones), chair of the AAMA Structural Sealant Design Guidelines Task Group.
Properly designed and installed, structural silicone has performed well in the presence of UV exposure, adverse weathering conditions, and in extremely harsh environments, the release says. These qualities allow structural silicone sealants to continue as the only type of sealant approved for structurally adhered glazing applications.