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Glazing Glossary

Common Terminology

When we discuss glazing systems we must first learn the common terms and phrasing used within the industry. Below are common terms and their meanings:

  • Annealed glass: standard float glass.
  • Air infiltration: the amount of air leaking in and out of windows, walls, doors, etc.
  • Air space: the space in the cavity between the two panes of glass in an I.G.U.
  • Bite: amount of glass recessed into the framing.
  • Butyl: synthetic rubber used as a sealant and architectural glazing tape.
  • Curtain wall: exterior cladding system made mostly of metal and glass, can be used in high rise applications
  • CRF: condensation resistance factor.
  • EPDM: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer – many setting blocks are made from this
  • Extrusion: the process of producing an aluminum shape by forcing heated material through an orifice in a die. Gaskets, PVC, etc. can also be extruded in similar fashion.
  • Gasket: pre-formed shape of rubber or rubber-like material used to fill and seal openings. Typically installed between the glass and metal components of glazing systems.
  • Heat gain: transfer of heat from the outside to inside of the building.
  • Heat loss: transfer of heat from the inside to outside of the building.
  • I.G.U. (insulated glass unit): two or more glass panes separated by a spacer and sealed at the edges.
  • Jamb: the vertical member of a framing system adjacent to the rough opening.
  • Laminated glass: glass composed of two sheets of glass which are fused together with an inter-layer commonly made of clear PVB.
  • Lite: another term for pane or piece of glass.
  • Low-E (emissivity) coating: transparent coating applied to an inside face of an I.G.U. to improve the units energy efficiency.
  • Mullion: the vertical member of a framing system.
  • PSF: pounds per square foot.
  • Setting block: block which the glass sits on within the glazing system.
  • Shim: small pieces of material used to hold the glazing system away from the surrounding conditions.
  • Solar heat gain coefficient: refers to the solar gain through the glass relative to the current solar radiation.
  • Spacer: material placed between two or more pieces of glass to create an I.G.U. This can consist of aluminum or a different material, such as available “warm edge spacers.”
  • Spandrel glass: glass which has a coating on the inside which keeps the inside of the building hidden from the outside.
  • Storefront: exterior cladding system made mostly of metal and glass, used for mainly low rise and first floor applications.
  • Tempered glass: glass which has been through a tempering oven creating specific surface tension to strengthen the glass and cause it to break into small pieces instead of shards when broken.
  • Tinted glass: glass that has had a mixture incorporated into it to provide color and protection from the sun.
  • U-value: measurement used to determine the ability of the glazing systems (and other components) to conduct heat. Typically, the lower the number the more efficient your window is.

Courses


1. Glazing Systems 101

You, the student will begin to formulate a frame of reference for future glazing topics and begin understanding and discussing topics within the workplace.

This module will introduce you to glazing systems, their differences and the job flow process overall.  It will cover the basics of what a project manager does, how they fit into the project and the components of a glazing system.

Course Highlight: Extensive glossary that runs throughout the course.

2. Glass & Glazing Shop Drawings 101

By taking this course, you, the student will gain an understanding of the importance of shop drawings and begin to understand the necessary procedure for managing information.

This module will introduce you to glass and glazing shop drawings.  It will discuss who uses shop drawings, their components, and what goes into building their components.

Course Highlight: Visualize shop drawings components with real examples.

3. Submittal & Approval Process

You, the student will gain a much clearer understanding of the submittal and approval process, what you’ll be responsible for, and the steps necessary to run the process from start to finish.

This module gives you an introduction to the submittal and approval process.  It discusses the common submittal flow, using a submittal log and what items are required to submit.  It also discusses each item for a more in-depth overview of the required items.

Course Highlight: Visualize a submittal workflow and submittal log.

4. Ordering Project Materials – Stock Lengths

You, the student will not only start to understand the importance of the material ordering process, but you’ll have the tools to maintain accuracy.

This module covers how to quantify and order the stock lengths of a glazing project.  It discusses optimization of materials, the different methods and utilizes a hybrid method for a real-world example.  The module covers what items you need to have on hand to quantify materials, how to complete a take-off and sending in your list to the manufacturer.

Course Highlight: Our most in-depth course. Gain FREE access to DICE, our length-cut optimization tool.

5. Ordering Project Materials – Accessories

You, the student will begin to dig into the importance and nuances of ordering accessories for a glazing project and how that differs from other materials.

This module guides you through ordering the accessories of a glazing project, quantifying them and identifying which are required for your project.

Course Highlights: See a real-world example taken from the Tubelite price book. See how the order is compiled.

6. Ordering Project Materials – Sealant & Backer Rod

You, the student will begin to dig into the importance and nuances of ordering sealant and backer rod for a glazing project and how that differs from other materials.

This module continues the ordering process and covers the different types of sealant, how to quantify them as well as required backer rod.

Course Highlights: See a real-world example taken from the Tubelite price book. See how the order is compiled.

7. Ordering Project Materials – Glass

You, the student will begin to dig into the importance and nuances of ordering glass for a glazing project and how that differs from other materials.

This module covers identifying the different types of glass on your project, determining glass sizes and how to organize and submit your order to the manufacturer.

 Course Highlights: Learn what goes into a glass worksheet.

8. Introduction to Fabrication

You, the student will go through what we call an “in-depth overview” of fabrication. You’ll gain a “conversational” understanding of the different parts of fabrication and a solid foundation in which to continuing your education.

This module is an introduction to the fabrication process overall.  It covers the project managers involvement in the process, common tools required as well as information required by the fabricators to do their job.

Course Highlights: Learn what it takes to go from shop drawing submittals to fabrication. Also, learn about a manufacturer’s (Tubelite) installation process.

9. Installation

You, the student will gain a high-level understanding of your role and responsibilities once the project is underway.

It covers the topics of safety, project phasing, equipment needed as well as the punch list process.

Course Highlights: Use our project review checklist as a tool to review project items with your installers prior to mobilizing onsite.

10. Project Close Out

You, the student will gain an understanding of your role and responsibilities upon project completion.

This module introduces the close out process, creating as-built shop drawings and discusses warranties as well as the requirement maintenance manuals.

Course Highlights: See examples of “as-built” shop drawings, manufacturer warranties, and a maintenance schedule.

11. Engineering 101

You, the student will gain an understanding of the role of an engineer and what part they play in a glazing project.

This module introduces delegated design, the role of a professional engineer, what a PE reviews, and their role in the shop drawing reviewal process.

Course Highlights: See workflow charts the explain the PE’s role in the shop drawing reviewal process.

12. Introduction to Multi Span Curtain Wall

13. Common Issues that Cause Leaks

14. Don’t Skip the Shop Drawing Review – A Guide


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