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This publication is a part of a discontinued series and is archived here as an historical reference. Readers
should consult design and regulatory experts for guidance on the applicability of the information to current
construction practice.
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2/23/2014 ARCHIVED - CBD-55. Glazing Design - IRC - NRC-CNRC
and expands. If the window sash or frame is cold, further edge cooling occurs to aggravate the
condition. If the frame, however, has been designed to be as warm as possible (CBD 44), this
condition can be modified. Experience has shown that the smaller the edge cover the less is the
likelihood of thermal edge breaking, with an edge cover of about 1 to 1½ inches producing the
worst situation.
Requirements of Glazing Materials
Glazing materials must act as a cushion and separator between the glass and its surround,
maintain rain and air leakage control allow differential movements to take place, and take
up tolerances.
As a cushion separator the glazing materials must dampen vibration and impact loadings, yet be
stiff enough to maintain the position of the glass in the rabbet against all normal loadings. As
most glazing and sealing materials cannot sustain the lateral loads it is necessary to use resilient
spacers that have sufficient bearing stiffness to resist the imposed loads and prevent the
extruding or squeezing out of the glazing materials. Glazing materials and spacers must be of
sufficient resilience and thickness to permit bending of the glass in the rabbet or torsional
defections of the surround without stressing the glass excessively.
Air Leakage
Air leakage is accompanied by dust and odour infiltration, increased heating and cooling loads,
and makes the holding of controlled relative humidities in a building very difficult ( CBD 23) .
Air exfiltration in winter through glazing details in humidified buildings is most critical, because
it is inevitably accompanied by condensation within the joint. The accumulation of water causes
accelerated deterioration of the glazing materials and may cause breakage of the glass if frozen
in a confined space. Water from condensation in the joint can run out if drainage to the exterior
has been provided. When it is not provided, however, the water may find entry to the interior,
causing what appears to be rain penetration.
Rain Penetration
Rain penetration is a major problem with glazing and must be controlled by the glazing materials.
Through-wall penetration of rain is a readily recognized nuisance because it always occurs when it is
raining and causes flooding of sills, walls and floors, with attendant staining and damage to finishes.
Partial rain penetration is seldom recognized, but has various delayed effects and is partially
responsible for glazing material deterioration, accelerated failure of factory- sealed multiple glazing
units and glass breakage, especially when corrosion of the surround occurs.
an air seal at the dry side of the joint, and the air pressure in the space so created equalized
with outside, the forces causing rain penetration can be controlled. The openings from this
space can be direct to the exterior, if protected, or from some adjacent dry space wherein the
air pressure is permitted to equalize with that on the exterior. The space should, however,
always be drained to the exterior, since some water may gain entry from rain penetration or
vapour condensation.
penetration. With satisfactory pressure equalization, however, rain penetration will not occur
unless the openings are over capillary dimensions and located where gravity can draw the water
through. With the space drained to outside this small leakage will be no problem, provided that
water does not contact the inner seal.
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