Preventable curtain wall failures

Curtain wall systems are designed to protect the interior of a commercial building from the often harsh exterior environment. A curtain wall failure can be easy to resolve or lead to a lengthy and expensive remediation process.

In many cases, curtain wall failures are caused by fairly simple errors that occur during the fabrication and installation process. These are errors that could easily be prevented by a wider awareness of how curtain walls perform and how to install them so they can perform as intended.

All stakeholders in a commercial curtain wall project should have a high level understanding of the few errors that cause the majority of in-field failures.

This presentation will highlight these errors so that all stakeholders will have a better understanding of what they should be looking for to ensure a safe and successful curtain wall application.

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The project team members include owner Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York; design architect and interior designer of the restaurant, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, New York; executive architect, FXFOWLE, New York; and architect and interior designer of the film center, Rockwell Group, New York; structural engineer Arup (AISC Member), New York; and general contractor Turner Construction Company (AISC Member), New York.

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Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program recognized by Society of Plastics Engineers

Program leads the industry in recovering and recycling roofing membrane into new roofing products.

| Nov 9, 2011

American Standard Brands joins the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium

American Standard will collaborate with other organizations to build an industry-wide sustainability performance index.

| Nov 8, 2011

Transforming a landmark coastal resort

Originally built in 1973, the building had received several alterations over the years but the progressive deterioration caused by the harsh salt water environment had never been addressed.

| Nov 8, 2011

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Moisture-related failures in agglomerated floor tiles

Agglomerated tiles offer an appealing appearance similar to natural stone at a lower cost. To achieve successful installations, manufacturers should provide design data for moisture-related dimensional changes, specifiers should require in-situ moisture testing similar to those used for other flooring materials, and the industry should develop standards for fabrication and installation of agglomerated tiles.