Loading …
From profile and membrane to finished facade
Where the classical glazier's work often deals with the individual pane, the aluminium builder's speciality takes you into another scale: entire facades, glass roofs and complex aluminium profile constructions that carry, seal and hold onto heat at the same time.
A modern facade is an interaction of several layers each solving their own task. If you don't understand the interaction the facade will leak and lose heat in a few years.
| Share | Function |
|---|---|
| Aluminum profile | The structure bears loads and absorbs static forces and wind load |
| Glass list and packing | Holds the glass in place and absorbs movement |
| Joint and sealant strip | Ensures tightness against water and wind |
| Drain in the profile | Directs condensation and rainwater out in a controlled manner |
| Fitting | Make sliding openings, doors and automation functional |
Aluminum conducts heat and cold effectively, and without foresight, profiles would become a thermal bridging nightmare. Therefore, modern profiles are built with an insulating intermediate section (thermal bridge break), and drainage is provided at the bottom of the profile so condensation and rainwater are directed away in a controlled manner instead of accumulating and infiltrating. For element facades, the choice of membrane and fastening method is critical to whether the facade remains tight throughout its lifespan.
Work begins at the drawing board — today often digitally. You read building drawings, select a system from the supplier's system catalog, dimension the profiles and prepare cutting and parts lists before anything is cut in the workshop. Only then is the actual assembly on the construction site planned, where the order of elements is very important for whether the facade can be erected safely and accurately.
“A facade must both bear seal and look elegant — if one of the three fails the solution does not work in practice.”