t e c hnica l in f o rmati o n

Product Availability costs, and incidental, special, or

All Zeledyne Versalux® products consequential damages.
are readily available and can be field
fabricated by regional independent Tempering Considerations
fabricators to reduce lead times and Blue, green, grey, and bronze tinted
minimize construction delays. glass have heat-absorbing character-
istics and retain heat as part of the
As with any glass product absorption process. Zeledyne Versalux
manufactured with a coating, it is reflective glass, with the coating on the
Uniform Load Data: recommended that a mock-up be second surface of heat-absorbing glass,
Additional Factors viewed by the design professional and absorbs increased amounts of solar en-
■ Type of Exposure building owner prior to final product
selection. All Zeledyne Float Glass
ergy and may require heat-strengthen-
■ Building Height types meet manufacturing tolerances
ing or tempering to reduce the possibil-
ity of thermal breakage.
■ Orientation within applicable provisions of ASTM
■ Wind Gusting C 1036-2001 Standard Specification Uniform Load Data
■ Shape For Flat Glass.
Design professionals should review and
■ Safety Glazing It should be noted that all warranty adhere to all applicable national, state,
Requirements statements disclaim any Zeledyne and local building codes and regula-
liability for breakage, replacement tions when selecting glass design load
factors.

Glass supported on four sides

(uniform load kPa)

1/4, 6.0mm .5
60 Sec Duration Equivalent 10
Design Load (psf,kPa) 3000
Probability of Failure:
8 per 1000 .75

Plate Width (Inches, mm)

15
100
1
Chart A 20
1.25
2000
Glass supported on four sides 1.5 25
(Uniform Load kPa) 30
2
2.5 40
3 50 50
4 60
a ) 80 1000
(kP f)
(ps

0
0 50 100 150 200
1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Plate Length (Inches, mm)

17

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 tech nic al inf o rmati on

Uniform Load/Glass Strength The dotted lines on the chart indicate

Tables points at which center of glass deflection
Charts A and C may be used to deter- will be 3/4" or greater. Strength of glass
mine the adequacy of a glass substrate charts for additional thick-
of the indicated thicknesses to with- nesses of glass may be found
MultIPlyING
in ASTM E 1300 - 94 Stan- GlAss tyPe fActor
stand a uniform static load for a 60
second duration. The wind load build- dard Practice for Determin-
Monolithic Fully Tempered 4.0
ings are exposed to is neither static nor ing the Maximum Thickness
uniform. It is the design professional’s and Type of Glass to Resist Monolithic Heat Strengthened 2.0
responsibility to translate a project’s a Specified Load. ASTM E
specified wind or design loads into 1300-94 is available from the Insulated Glass (Both Lites Fully Tempered) 7.2

uniform static loads of a 60 second American Society for Testing

duration equivalent. and Materials, 1916 Race St., Insulated Glass (Both Lites Heat Strengthened) 3.6
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Insulated Glass (Both Lites Annealed) 1.8
Four-Side Support
Four-Side Support Center of glass deflection under specified loads must additionally be
Chart A may be used to determine considered in selection proper glass thicknesses and types.
maximum permissible annealed Assuming annealed mono- Data for laminated glass products may be located in ASTM E 1300 - 94.

glass sizes at Indicated Design Loads lithic glass to have a factor

expressed in Uniform Pounds Per of 1, the multiplying factors
shown in Chart B may be Chart B
Sq. Ft. for 1/4" (6.0mm) thick glass.
used to determine the approximate uni- Multiplying Factor of
This four-side support chart is based
form load strength of further fabricated Glass Types
on glass supported on all four sides, a
design factor of 2.5, and a probability glass.*
of failure rate of 8 lites per 1,000.
Multiplying factors should not be used
Example: Glass Size: 65" x 90" in combination, nor should they be used
• Locate the 90" line on the horizontal with the two-side support chart.
 
scale. Heat strengthened and fully tempered
• Determine the location of the 65" glass will withstand greater uniform
dimension between the 60" and 70" loads than annealed glass. Deflection
lines on the vertical scale. characteristics, however, are the same for
• Locate the intersection of a vertical identical thicknesses of annealed, heat
line emanating from the 90" location strengthened, or annealed substrates.
on the horizontal scale and a horizon-
tal line drawn from the location of 65" National and local building codes and
on the vertical scale. regulations for wind load and safety
• Draw a line from the 0 point at the requirements set forth the minimums
junction of the horizontal and vertical that must be met, but do not necessarily
scales until it intersects the previously represent the most current product avail-
determined point (between the 20 lb. ability for wind load factors.
* All lites must be identical thickness of
and the 25 lb. lines.) annealed lite.
• Interpolate the point between the 20 GANA (Glass Association of North
lb. and 25 lb. lines. America) “Glazing Manual, 2004 edi-
• Maximum load example lite of glass tion/ASCE Standard 7-95” and many
will withstand with probability of fail- other publications offer insight into the
ure rate of 8 lites per 1,000 is 22 PSF. many facets constituting design load. 18
 t e c hnica l in f o rmati o n

Two-Side Support temperature to rise. The rate at which

Glazing that is framed glass temperature rises is dependent
or otherwise supported on the type and thickness of glass used.
GlAss suPPorteD oN tWo oPPosIte sIDes on only two opposite If the glass is not properly thermally
(uNIforM loAD kPa) horizontal (sill and isolated from the glass-framing system,
head) sides must be or if it is glazed directly into a high
uNIforM loAD psi
MAxIMuM uNsuPPorteD sPAN Vs. test Pressure considered separately heat capacity material such as concrete,
0.6 0.8 1.0 1.5 2.0 4.0 from four-side support- the temperature of the glass edges may
150
3.0 ed glazing in determin- be significantly lower than that of the
125
3/4" 2.5
ing the correct glass center portion of the glass.
unsupported span – Meters

(19 m
unsupported span – Inches

100 5/8" m)
90 (15 m 2.0
80 1/2"
m) thickness to meet the Glass, like most materials, expands
70 (12 m
60 3/8"
m) 1.5 specified uniform load. with increased temperature levels. The
50 (10 m
40
m)
1.0
For this condition, glass hotter center portion of the glass ex-
30
strength is dependent pands more than the cooler glass edges,
25 only on the glass thick- creating thermally-induced stresses at
20
0.5 ness and the length of the glass edges. Thermal stresses are
15 the unsupported span. normally greatest at the center of each
For two-sided support edge, diminishing toward the corners
10
10 15 25 30 40 50 conditions, only mono-
lithic annealed or tem- Higher thermal stress may cause glass
pered glass should be breakage unless proper cutting and
used. Using tempered glazing practices are followed. Proper
Chart C glass in lieu of annealed glass of the design of the glazing system (reference
Glass Supported on Two same thickness increases the allowable Glazing Guidelines on Page 24) can
Opposite Sides unsupported span by a factor of two.** reduce thermal and mechanical stresses.
The proper glass thickness to meet the The ability of Versalux® products to re-
desired uniform load for a given unsup- sist breakage, due to both thermal and
ported span can be selected by referring mechanical stresses, depends to a great
to the two-side support graph. degree on the edge strength of the glass.
Clean-cut edges provide the greatest
Glass deflection under wind loading is possible strength in glazed, tinted or
more pronounced with two-side sup- reflective glass.
ported glass. A glass thickness that is
sufficient to meet a given uniform load Under abnormal conditions where
may exhibit deflection that is aestheti- thermal stress increases breakage risk,
cally unacceptable or psychologically resistance to thermal stress of a lite of
bothersome to building occupants. glass can be increased by heat treating
Deflection can be reduced only by the substrate (heat strengthened or
increasing the thickness for a given size fully tempered). Heat treating also
lite of glass. improves the glass product’s ability
to withstand higher uniform loads
** Applications using this factor must be closely Thermal Stresses (refer to uniform load data above).
evaluated to ensure anticipated center of glass
deflection at the specified design load is limited When glass is exposed to sunlight, solar Although heat treating the glass
to an acceptable degree. energy is absorbed, causing the glass increases its strength, it does not alter

19

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 tech nic al inf o rmati on

its deflection characteristics. Annealed, degree, a heat trap situation similar to

heat strengthened, and fully tempered that created in the spandrel area can
substrates of the same thickness size occur.
will deflect under load at the same rate. Suspended Ceiling Soffits: Suspended
ceiling soffits must be positioned well
The thickness of a glass substrate to the room side to allow for natural
may have to be increased for a given convection. If the building design is such
uniform load to limit center line that natural convection
deflection to an acceptable degree. cannot be provided,
Fully tempered glass, on occasion, the head area should
can experience spontaneous breakage include vents that pro- 1-1/2" MINIMUM CLEARANCE
TOP & BOTTOM
VISION GLASS
due to melting inclusions which can vide a minimum of one
occur during the glass making process. square inch of ventila-
Although the risk of spontaneous tion for each inch of 2" (50MM) SHADING DEVICE
MINIMUM CLEARANCE HEAT OUTLET
breakage is remote, architects and glass width, or the glass
design professionals should consider should be heat treated
other alternatives if glass fallout is a (Chart D). POSITIVE VENTILATION
AT HEAD
concern. Interior Shading De-
vices and Heat Outlets: HEAT TRAP
The positioning of
Interior Heat Traps interior shading devices
A heat trap on the interior surface of is a very important con-
the glass exists when there is inad- sideration in achieving CHART D
equate air circulation to properly adequate air movement across the inte- Minimum Clearance
remove heat that can build up behind rior surface of the glass. Draperies, roller
the glass. This condition can cause shades, or venetian blinds should be po-
temperature differences within the sitioned away from the glass to prevent
lite of glass and subsequent thermal restriction of airflow. A minimum clear-
stresses that may not be acceptable ance of 2" (50mm) should be provided
with annealed glass. between the inboard glass surface and the
Spandrels: An example of a se- shading device. Also, a clearance must be
vere heat trap condition would be provided between the shading device and
the spandrel area of a building. The the glass-framing members. A minimum
space behind a lite of spandrel glass is clearance of 1-1/2" (38mm) should be
blocked off to prevent airflow between provided at the top and bottom of the
floors. The temperature in this space shading device to ensure adequate air
will continue to rise when the spandrel movement. (Chart D)
glass is subjected to solar loading. It
is for this reason that spandrel glass is If these clearances cannot be provided,
tempered to increase the resistance of in the case of venetian blinds, a lockout
the glass to thermal breakage. device should be used to limit the
Vision Areas: In vision areas, there rotation of the blinds. This lockout
is generally air movement across the device acts as a positive stop to prevent
inboard surface of the glass. If this the blinds from being completely closed.
air movement is restricted to a great For horizontal venetian blinds, the

20

Where Vision meets Design

 t e c hnica l in f o rmati o n

rotation of the blinds should be limited positively locate the glass framing
to a position of 60° off of the most while providing for the anticipated
closed position. For vertical blinds, the movement.
movement should be limited so that ■ It is very important that expansion
there is a 1/2" (12mm) space between joints not be located adjacent to the
the blinds when they are in the most edge of an insulating glass unit.
closed position.
■ Expansion joints to accommodate
vertical movements should be provided
Care must also be exercised in the for each floor.
location and position of heat outlets.
The outlets should be designed to
■ Expansion joints to accommodate
horizontal movements should be lo-
direct hot air away from the inboard
cated at each vertical framing unit with
glass surface to prevent increasing the
a maximum spacing of 20 feet (6.1m).
temperature difference between the
center and the edge of the glass. When Thermal Movement: Movement of
shading devices are used, the heat outlet glass framing members due to thermal
should not be positioned between expansion and contraction is a function
the glass and the shading device, but of temperature and the thermal expan-
rather to the room side of the shading sion properties of the glass-holding
device. When buildings are located in members. Therefore, this movement
Seneca Casino
cold climates, care should be exercised can be calculated for a specific system
Glass: Versalux® blue, green, and to prevent hot air from being directed and it must be considered in design
green 2000 toward the glass when the heating and erection. The system should be
Architects: JCJ Architecture system is initially activated during designed to permit erection with the
Fabricator: Viracon periods of low temperature. expansion joints almost fully open in
Glazier: CBO Glass
cold weather and nearly closed in hot
Glass that will be glazed into areas weather.
containing heat traps should be heat
Deflection of Glass Framing
treated to reduce the possibility of
thermally induced breakage. Members
The deflection of the glass framing
members when subjected to design
Expansion Joints and Anchors loads must not exceed the length of the
The architect or engineer should unsupported span divided by 175 or
precisely define the anticipated move- 3/4" (19mm), whichever is less. The
ment of the building’s structure due to deflection of horizontal glass framing
temperature changes, static loads, wind members due to the weight of the glass
loads, and other dynamic loads. should be limited to prevent inad-
■ Window or curtain wall expansion equate edge clearance and to minimize
joints and anchors should be designed increased bite on the glass and conse-
so that loads due to types of building quently added thermal stress. A limit of
movement are not transferred to the 1/8" (3mm) or 25% of the design edge
glass framing members. clearance of the glass or panel below,
■ Anchors must be designed to
whichever is less, is recommended. It
is also recommended that twisting or
21

for more information call 800-331-2607 or go to zeledyne.com

 tech nic a l in f o rmati on

rotation of the horizontal members points, they

due to the dead weight of the glass be can be moved
limited to 1" from the horizontal plane so that the end C C
(Chart E). closest to the
A-EDGE CLEARANCE
vertical glass
Glass Openings edge is within a B-BITE
The glass framing system must both distance equal B
structurally support and adequately to 1/8 the C-FACE CLEARANCE
cushion the glass. To prevent mechani- glass width or A

cal and thermal stresses on the glass, 6" (152mm),

the framing system should provide whichever is
openings that are within specified greater.
tolerances for squareness, corner offset
and bow. These tolerances are listed Each setting block should be sized to CHART E
below: provide 0.1" of length per square foot Deflection of Glass
(27mm per square meter) of glass area, Framing Members
■ Squareness - 1/8" (3mm) difference
but not less than 4" (102mm) of length.
in the lengths of the diagonals.
■ Corner Offset - 1/32" (0.8mm) The setting block should be 1/16"
maximum offset at corners. (1.6mm) less than full channel width
■ Bow - 1/16" (1.6mm) bow in a 4 ft. or be positively located in the glazing
(1.22m) length of framing. channel to provide proper support for
If variations from these tolerances the entire glass thickness at all times. The
are anticipated, details of the system height of the setting blocks should pro-
should be submitted to a Zeledyne vide the recommended nominal bite and
Glass representative for technical minimum edge clearance for the glass.
review. If job site conditions are found
When a lockstrip gasket glazing system is
to ± outside these tolerances, correc-
used, each setting block should be sized
tions must be made before the open-
to provide 0.4" of length per square foot
ings are glazed.
(109mm per square meter) of glass area,
but not less than 4" (102mm) of length.
Setting Blocks The height of the setting block should
Glass should be set on two identical be recommended by the lockstrip gasket
setting blocks with a Shore A duro- manufacturer.
meter hardness of 85+ −5.
Edge, Face & Bite Clearances
The setting blocks should always be
The glazing system must provide
equidistant from the center line of
adequate edge and face clearance to
the glass. The setting blocks prefer-
properly cushion the glass, to thermally QFC Tower, Doha, Qatar
ably should be centered at the bottom Glass: VERSALUX® blue 2000T
and mechanically isolate the glass from
quarter points of the glass. When the Aluminum Contractor: ALU NASA Aluminium
the glass-framing members, and prevent
wall design does not allow the setting
glass-to-metal contact.
blocks to be positioned at the quarter

22

Where Vision meets Design

 t e c hnica l in f o rmati o n

a tape glazing system, a high durometer

material may be used to apply adequate
GlAss “A ” “B” “c”
GlAss thIcKNess MINIMuM e DGe NoMINAl MINIMuM fAce
pressure to a preshimmed glazing tape.
tyPe cleArANce BIte cleArANce
(INch) (INch) (INch)
INches MM Edge Blocks
3/32 2.5 1/8 1/4 1/16 Glass should be centered both verti-
1/8 3.0 1/8 1/4 1/8 cally and horizontally in the opening.
Monolithic 5/32 4.0 3/16 5/16 1/8 The glass must be free to “float” in the
3/16 5.0 3/16 5/16 1/8
opening to prevent movement in the
glass-framing members from being
1/4 6.0 1/4 3/8 1/8
transmitted directly to the glass and
3/8 10.0 5/16 7/16 3/16
creating mechanical stresses. For large
1/2 12.0 3/8 7/16 1/4 lites or insulating glass units, edge
Spandrel 1/4 6.0 1/4 3/8 3/16 blocks should be used to prevent lateral
1/2 12.0 1/8 1/2 1/8 “walking” of the glass. This “walk-
5/8 15.0 1/8 1/2 1/8 ing” occurs due to relative movement
Insulating 3/4 19.0 1/4 1/2 3/16 between the glass and the frame caused
1 25.0 1/4 1/2 3/16 by the different thermal expansion
and contraction characteristics of the
materials. The edge blocks should be a
CHART F The glazing system must also provide a minimum of 3" (76mm) in length. The
Clearance and Bite nominal bite on the glass that will pro- blocks should be placed in the vertical
Recommendations vide adequate glass retention without channel width. They should be made
excessive glass coverage. Excessive glass of 55+5 Shore A durometer hardness
coverage can increase thermal stresses neoprene and should be sized to pro-
at the glass edge. Clearances and bite vide a nominal 1/8" (3mm) clearance
recommended for Zeledyne’s architec- between the block and the edge of the
tural glass products are shown in Chart glass.
F. (Note: Unshimmed glazing tapes
should not be used.)
Weep Systems
The glazing system must be designed to
Glass Spacers prevent the accumulation of moisture
Face clearance for the glass should be in the glazing channel for prolonged
provided by a continuous gasket or periods. The weep system should in-
spacer of neoprene or an equivalent corporate enough weep holes to ensure
material. The use of intermittent adequate drainage. When the weep sys-
shims should be discouraged. The tem consists of weep holes at the sill in
Shore A durometer hardness of the a location that can be wetted by driven
continuous spacer will be determined rain, the holes should be equivalent to
by the practical requirements of the three 3/8" (9.5mm) diameter holes.
glazing system. In a wet-seal system, a One hole should be located at the
low durometer material may be used to center of the sill and one at each end
position the glass in the glazing channel between the jamb and setting block.
and provide a backup for the sealant. In When a lockstrip gasket system is used,

23

for more information call 800-331-2607 or go to zeledyne.com

 tech nic a l inf o rmati on

an adequate weep system and auxiliary

sealant around the entire periphery, or
a combination of both, must be used.

Glass Handling, Cleaning &

Maintenance
Care must be exercised in the handling
and glazing of glass to prevent damage
to the glass edge. The glass must not
contact the glass framing member or ACCEPTABLE SHADING MARGINAL SHADING HARMFUL SHADING
the surrounding structure during the
glazing operation. Glass edge damage
can also occur when the glass is rotated
or “pitched” on its corner on hard
extend more than 1/16" (1.6mm) above CHART G
the metal sight line. This sealant filler Typical Shading Patterns
surfaces. For insulating glass units, it
increases the effective bite on the glass,
is recommended that a “rolling block”
which can increase thermal stress. Build-
be used on the corner of the glass by
ing overhangs, surrounding structures,
the glazier when rotating the unit. The
trees and shrubbery can create a variety
“rolling block” minimizes the possibil-
of exterior shading patterns on glass in a
ity of damaging the corner of the glass
building. This exterior shading can create
by distributing the weight of the unit
varying degrees of thermal edge stress in
along the edges rather than concentrat-
the glass.The maximum thermal stress
ing the weight at the corner.
occurs when 25% or less of an individual
Versalux® glass products may be glass lite is shaded and when the shaded
cleaned periodically using a soft, clean, area includes more than 25% of the lite’s
grit-free cloth. To remove built-up perimeter. Generally, horizontal, vertical,
grime and smudges, most commercial and diagonal shading patterns are not as
glass cleaning solutions work well. critical as shading that includes combina-
Both Versalux glass and coatings are tions of these shading patterns. Double
very durable when proper cleaning diagonal shading that creates a pattern
techniques are employed. Glass sur- that is “V” shaped in nature with the
faces must be protected from scratches center of the “V” located at the center of
and should not be cleaned by mechan- a glass edge is generally the most critical
ical buffers or any metallic scraper. shading pattern.
Detailed cleaning instructions for
Chart G shows some typical shading
Versalux products are available from
patterns that can be created in a build-
Zeledyne upon request.
ing. These are labeled “Acceptable,”
“Marginal,” and “Harmful.” These draw-
Watershed ings and designations can serve as a guide
Issa Tower
Glass: VERSALUX® Blue 2000T
When a sealant filler is used over a to the severity of thermal stress created Consultant: Emaret Al Sharq
gasket or glazing tape to provide a by various exterior shading patterns. Aluminum Contractor: Thomas Bennet
watershed, the sealant should not However, if an unusual shading pattern Distributor: Intraco UAE

24

Where Vision meets Design

 t e c hnica l in f o rmati o n

is anticipated, it is recommended that a As new and unique glazing systems

representative of Zeledyne be consulted are developed, variations from these
Sound Control
in the design stages for technical review guidelines may be justified. In such
■ All Versalux tinted and to determine if heat-strengthening or
tempering is required.
cases, precise details of the glazing
system must be submitted to a
tinted reflective products Zeledyne representative for review.
can be laminated to achieve
greater sound attenuation Other Factors
Heat treating for 3/16" (5mm) or The design of a properly functioning
properties.
heavier Zeledyne reflective glass or heat- glazing system requires consideration
of the following: the glass retaining
■ Refer to GANA (Glass absorbing glass should be considered to
avoid breakage under the following con- system; the method of erection;
Association of North the glass type and size; the various
America) Laminating ditions: glazing applications that induce
mechanical stresses on the glass; designs component and erection tolerances
Division’s Laminated Glass involved.
Design Guide, latest edition, requiring notches to be cut or holes to
or contact architectural be drilled in the glass; painted signs or
large labels used on the glass. The glazing system must adequately
glass laminating fabricators
support and cushion the glass to mini-
for additional information.
mize loads on the glass due to building
Glazing Guidelines movements and movement occurring
The following glazing guidelines due to expansion and contraction of
are intended to assist the design the glass-holding members.
professional in developing glass
support systems that will minimize
the possibility of glass breakage due
to thermal and mechanical stresses.
In addition, specifiers and users can
refer to the most current glazing
recommendations published by GANA,
AAMA, and IGMA.

Silicon Oasis Headquarters, Dubai, UAE

Glass: 6mm Versalux® blue 2000R
Alum. Contractor: ALICO