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    CWCT - Shadow Box Technical Note

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    batteekh
    Shadow boxes have been used in curtain wall construction for decades but are now more common in residential buildings. They provide depth and visual interest beyond typical spandrel panels but require careful ventilation of the cavity behind the glazing to prevent condensation issues and damage from pressure changes. Proper ventilation is needed to remove moisture and allow for pressure fluctuations from temperature changes, but too much ventilation can compromise thermal performance and allow dust inside the cavity. Limited openings are recommended in UK climates to balance these factors.

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    CWCT - Shadow Box Technical Note

    Uploaded by

    batteekh
    551 views1 page
    Shadow boxes have been used in curtain wall construction for decades but are now more common in residential buildings. They provide depth and visual interest beyond typical spandrel panels but require careful ventilation of the cavity behind the glazing to prevent condensation issues and damage from pressure changes. Proper ventilation is needed to remove moisture and allow for pressure fluctuations from temperature changes, but too much ventilation can compromise thermal performance and allow dust inside the cavity. Limited openings are recommended in UK climates to balance these factors.

    Original Description:

    General properties required for the shadow boxes in curtain walls (facade).

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    CWCT - Shadow box Technical Note

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    Shadow boxes have been used in curtain wall construction for decades but are now more common in residential buildings. They provide depth and visual interest beyond typical spandrel panels but require careful ventilation of the cavity behind the glazing to prevent condensation issues and damage from pressure changes. Proper ventilation is needed to remove moisture and allow for pressure fluctuations from temperature changes, but too much ventilation can compromise thermal performance and allow dust inside the cavity. Limited openings are recommended in UK climates to balance these factors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    551 views1 page

    CWCT - Shadow Box Technical Note

    Uploaded by

    batteekh
    Shadow boxes have been used in curtain wall construction for decades but are now more common in residential buildings. They provide depth and visual interest beyond typical spandrel panels but require careful ventilation of the cavity behind the glazing to prevent condensation issues and damage from pressure changes. Proper ventilation is needed to remove moisture and allow for pressure fluctuations from temperature changes, but too much ventilation can compromise thermal performance and allow dust inside the cavity. Limited openings are recommended in UK climates to balance these factors.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    BUILDINGS, FAÇADES

    Shadow box Technical Note


    Shadow boxes have been used in curtain wall construction for a number of decades. Their use is becoming more widespread,
    not just in commercial buildings as before, but also in residential construction. This has prompted insurers such as the NHBC to
    take a keener interest, and this Technical Note has been produced in response to that increased interest.

    A
    shadow box generally consists of condensation in the cavity by removing The area of openings will also affect
    clear glazing, a cavity behind the water vapour, thus lowering the vapour the thermal performance of the façade.
    glazing and an insulated panel or pressure and therefore reducing the risk High levels of ventilation may cause
    tray. of condensation. The ventilation will also significant thermal bridging around the
    Shadow boxes are used for the encourage evaporation of any condensate perimeter of the shadow box due to the
    particular appearance they give. The which has formed within the cavity. reduced temperatures within the cavity.
    cavity behind the glazing adds depth to The second reason for requiring This would also negate the thermal
    the appearance, creating greater visual ventilation openings is to accommodate benefit of using a glazing unit over single
    interest than can be achieved with a pressure changes in the cavity due to glazing.
    more typical glazed spandrel. In addition, temperature fluctuations. A variation In UK-type climates, it is
    they allow the use of the same glass as between the minimum and maximum recommended that shadow box cavities
    that used in the vision areas, thus giving temperature of as much as 100°C may be have limited openings to the outside.
    visual continuity between the different possible, which will result in significant This will provide some ventilation to
    zones of the façade. The appearance will changes in cavity air pressure and/or reduce the risk of condensation and
    depend on the glass type and coating, the volume. If the cavity was not ventilated moderate the pressure fluctuations, whilst
    depth of the cavity and the colour and this pressure variation would cause minimising the amount of dust entering
    texture of the back panel. The appearance either the glass or the panel at the back the cavity and maintaining the thermal
    is normally established via a visual mock- of the cavity to bow, which may result in performance.
    up. unacceptable changes in appearance and/
    The principal issue with shadow or damage to materials and/or seals. For further information please contact
    box construction is how to deal with However, there are disadvantages Brenda Apted, Centre for Window &
    the ventilation in the cavity behind the to ventilating the cavity. A large area of Cladding Technology at the University
    glazing, and a number of conflicts must openings will result in higher levels of of Bath (01225 330945; E-mail: absbaa@
    be fully considered. Various strategies air exchange between the cavity and the bath.ac.uk) or visit www.cwct.co.uk
    have been used to ventilate the cavity of a external environment. Whilst this will be /publications/tns/short94
    shadow box, depending on the climate and best in terms of controlling condensation, .pdf to view an extract of
    the ventilation strategy of the building. high levels of ventilation may allow the Technical Note before
    Openings are required for a number significant amounts of dust into the purchase.
    of reasons. Firstly, they will help control cavity.

    Vertical section through spandrel area:

    Vision glass
    Horizontal framing
    member

    Internal
    lining

    Gaskets Insulation
    Back panel Vapour
    control
    Glass layer
    Cavity

    www.innovationandresearchfocus.org.uk Innovation & Research Focus Issue 98 AUGUST 2014 3

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