Solar control with airtightness
21st June 2016

GLASSOLUTIONS has given a new multi-occupancy office block at a Thames Valley business park a sustainable edge, with the installation of solar control curtain walling providing exceptional thermal efficiency for the building.

GLASSOLUTIONS manufactured and installed 3400m2 of curtain-wall façade for the office block, at the Winnersh Triangle site.

To adhere to Winnersh Triangle’s sustainability specifications, Glassolutions employed a variety of different elements. Schueco FW60+ and FW60+ SG curtain walling systems were installed: with a thermal rating of 1.5w/m2k to aid internal climate control. 6mm SGG Cool-Lite SKN174 panes were used for the outer glazing, paired with a 16mm argon warm edge spacer bar to reduce thermal bridging.

A brise soleil, designed by EPR Architects, was engineered and installed by Glassolutions to manage the solar gain of the facade, the loads of which were carried entirely by the curtain wall system.

Working with main contractor Wates and London based EPR Architects, the installation was completed in November 2015.

Glassolutions Commercial Manager Paul Rose said: “With Wates and EPR, we’ve helped create an office space which will be comfortable for its occupants and kinder to the environment, as well as being less expensive to heat and cool. The Winnersh Triangle business park places a strong focus on creating sustainable, energy-efficient accommodation for its tenants - it’s great to be involved in a project which will make a positive impact in so many ways.”

GLASSOLUTIONS’ glazing installation achieved an Air Tightness Rating of 2.1m3/hr/m2, exceeding the requirement of 3m3/hr/m2. Wates Project Manager Darren Grinham described the project as an “excellent delivery”, adding that “the air test results are very good, and one we should all be very proud of.”

www.glassolutions.co.uk