A unitized curtain wall system is a prefabricated system composed of pre-assembled panels that are installed on the building's exterior. Here are the steps involved in designing and installing a unitized curtain wall system:
1. Design: At the design stage, the engineers and architects collaborate to develop the layout and dimensions of the panels. The design team also takes into consideration the desired finishes, structural requirements, performance requirements, and building codes.
2. Fabrication: The fabrication process involves the creation of the panels according to the specifications of the design. Units are pre-assembled and glazed in a factory to create a prefinished and pretested panel.
3. Transportation: The panels are transported to the construction site where they are typically shipped directly to the respective facade elevations.
4. Hoisting and Installation: A crane or lift equipment is used to hoist and install the panels onto the building's exterior. Crews typically work from the inside of the building to install the support structures, then fit the unitized panels in place.
5. Sealing and Weatherproofing: Prior to final connection the panels receive sealant joints or weatherstripping between the panels and the surrounding masonry, framing or other construction elements of the adjacent building.
6. Final Connection: The final connection typically is a series of clips or other mechanical attachments that securely hold the panels in place. Once the panels have been fully bolted into place, any final touch-up work is completed to ensure a watertight and long-lasting exterior.
7. Finish Detailing: Finish detailing includes installing joint covers, applying caulking, and anything that creates a complete, finished non-infiltrated facade.
Overall, the key advantages of a unitized curtain wall system is that they can be installed quicker and more efficiently than traditional stick curtain wall installation. Unitized systems can also provide robust performance for air infiltration and water penetration when properly designed and installed.
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