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Daylighting: The Benefits of Illuminating Buildings with Natural Light | Infographic

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Daylighting is the illumination of buildings by natural light. Often achieved by proper interior and exterior design and advanced glazing, its aim is to dually maximize occupant comfort and reduce energy use. Daylighting in homes, workplaces, hospitals, schools, and commercial spaces can have multi-faceted positive impacts. This infographic explores the benefits of daylight and daylighting, and categorizes each benefit under Health, Productivity, Energy, and Financial. Some of the statistics have multiple benefits.

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Construction Canada Magazine Publishes Cover Story on Bendheim Glass Rainscreen Systems

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We are pleased to announce that “Construction Canada,” the official publication of CSC (Construction Specifications Canada), has selected to feature Bendheim Wall Systems’ educational article on glass rainscreen technology as the magazine’s February 2015 Cover Story.

The expert article, titled “Glass Rainscreen Systems Enhance the Building Envelope,” discusses the design principles and benefits of flat and channel glass rainscreen assemblies. It was authored by Said Elieh, Director of Technical Design for Bendheim Wall Systems, and is intended for all building professionals (architects, designers, engineers, specification writers, construction managers, contractors, building owners, etc.), regardless of their rainscreen expertise level. The instructive commentary reveals the significant role glass rainscreen technology can play in the protection and improvement of the building envelope. It demonstrates the clear functional and design benefits of this over-cladding strategy for new and retrofit buildings alike.

To access the complete, authorized PDF reprint of this educational article on glass rainscreen design and application, please follow this link: Construction Canada Cover Story: Glass Rainscreen Systems Enhance the Building Envelope.

“Construction Canada” is a leading architecture and design publication with a qualified audience of over 12,000 professional readers.

Enhanced Rainscreen Technology Benefits New Construction

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Bendheim rainscreen systems help create beautiful & long-lasting buildings, protecting our collective architectural legacy

What is a Rainscreen?

A rainscreen is an exterior wall cladding that stands off from the building’s exterior weather-resistant barrier. It envelopes and protects the building facade from water infiltration, controlling water drainage and evaporation. In lay terms, a rainscreen is akin to an elegant raincoat that protects the building from the elements, while delivering an added dose of style.

eppley glass rainscreen

Eppley Airfield, Omaha, NE by HDR. Photo by Jen Miret.

Role of Rainscreens & Glass in Architectural Landmarks through History

Rainscreens can be a key component in the protection and preservation of buildings of importance, shielding them from the elements, ensuring their structural viability, and helping extend their productive life.

Although a modern concept in the United States, the rainscreen principle is not new. Rainscreen design has been proven throughout Europe with installations dating back to the Middle Ages. Early examples of rainscreens can be found in some Norwegian churches built centuries ago using layers of open-joint, drained, back-ventilated wood claddings set over a traditional wood or stone wall. Many of these historic structures are still standing today, including a stave church in Urnes, Norway (circa 1130). It is considered by some to be the oldest standing example of a rainscreen.

The Middle Ages saw the rise of another architectural technology – large-scale decorative glazed openings. Spurred by advancements in window making, medieval architects introduced monumental stained glass windows: Masterpieces that brought light, color, and beauty into buildings of importance.

Kinnick Stadium Fritted Glass Facade

Restoration of historic Kinnick Stadium with Bendheim’s glass rainscreen. Iowa City, IA by Neumann Monson Architects and HNTB. Photo by Cameron Campbell, AIA.

Enhancing Rainscreens – Bendheim Decorative Glass Rainscreen Systems with Längle Compression Fittings

Bendheim’s glass rainscreen systems are unique, multi-functional glass wall systems. They can add elegance to a building facade with a stunning array of decorative architectural glass options. These highly functional walls of glass can also preserve newly built structures for posterity, safeguarding the legacy of building creators and owners.

Decorative architectural glass has been defining the identities of powerful architectural monuments since the Middle Ages, and continues to do so to this day. Colored and patterned decorative glass is enjoying tremendous popularity, creating dynamic, stimulating environments and prominent building facades. Recent developments, such as colored, patterned and photographic printed interlayers, as well as direct-to-glass printing techniques, make glass facades the perfect medium for large-scale creative architectural expression.

According to contemporary architect and color expert Fiona McLachlan, “Color generated through the play of light is never static and has the capacity to… tune and transform architectural space.” (Source: McLachlan, Fiona. “Architectural Colour in the Professional Palette.” London & New York: Routledge, 2012)

The unprecedented development of contemporary architectural glass technology makes decorative glass rainscreens an ideal building method to adopt in North America today. Furthermore, the inherent durability and ease of maintenance of non-porous glass surfaces is an undeniable benefit in contemporary rainscreen applications. There is no better building material to stand up to the punishing effects of water, wind, and time than glass.

One of the main purposes of Bendheim glass rainscreens is to shield a building from the elements. Water is the biggest factor in the premature deterioration of buildings. A dangerous leak can be created in the presence of the following three elements:

  1. water (rain, melting snow and ice);
  2. an opening or a weak point in the building envelope, through which water can penetrate; and
  3. pressure (wind force)

Bendheim glass rainscreen systems effectively protect the building from moisture by creating a barrier envelope around it. All exterior systems, including Wall-F (Flat), Wall-H (Horizontally Overlapping), and Wall-VH (Vertically-and-Horizontally Overlapping), have been tested in accordance with ASTM & AAMA requirements for Water Penetration, Pressure Equalization, Air Leakage, and Structural Performance. They performed admirably, having received the best rating for preventing water ingress. Bendheim Rainscreen Systems allow water to escape and air to circulate, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, and water damage. Any small amount of water making its way behind the glass is drained and channeled away from the building. Any water vapor is ventilated through the top of the system, as air circulates upward between the rainscreen and the exterior building wall.

Glass rainscreen by Bendheim.

Essex County College, West Caldwell, NJ by Netta Architects. Photo by Bendheim.

Next Steps

For more information on how to create a unique, protective glass rainscreen façade for your next project, please contact Bendheim at +1.800.221.7379, Option 5 or e-mail your requirements to rainscreens@bendheim.com.

Video Demonstrates Smart New Rainscreen System

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Bendheim Wall Systems’ new decorative glass rainscreens feature patented Längle mechanical fittings, precision-manufactured in Austria. Unlike most systems, they require no cut-outs or holes in the glass, affording superior wall strength. They also offer a patented quick assembly method, allowing individual glass panels to be quickly and easily replaced without having to deglaze surrounding panels.

To illustrate the superior engineering of our new glass rainscreen systems, we staged and filmed a brief video at Bendheim’s New Jersey facilities, demonstrating how easy it can be to replace one of our glass panels, in under 1 minute.

 

New Glass Wall Systems Expand Possibilities for Building Exteriors & Interiors

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Innovative systems require no special skills or experience to install exterior & interior glass walls quickly and on budget

 

Ease of Installation & Maintenance for Exterior & Interior Glass Walls

Whether working on a new project or a retrofit, architects and installers are often challenged by demanding site conditions and the mandate to complete projects as quickly as possible, without disrupting adjacent construction work or the building occupants. Often, special skills, extensive prior expertise, and time-consuming procedures are required when installing in-demand, elegant exterior and interior glass claddings.

Bendheim’s new decorative glass rainscreen systems deliver all the benefits of beautiful, customizable, durable glass claddings, in the unique combination with patented, quick-assembly methods. Bendheim’s new glazing systems, featuring innovative Längle compression glass fittings, boast the following core ease-of-use benefits:

  1. ease of initial installation that does not require liquid adhesives
  2. flexibility / adjustability to various field conditions, and
  3. ease of removing and replacing existing panels without having to deglaze surrounding panels, potentially as quickly as in <1 minute (see YouTube video demonstration)

The dependable, fully tested systems install faster than comparable products, resulting in significant cost savings.

Exterior Applications

The new Bendheim rainscreen systems for exterior applications have the ability to completely transform the whole building aesthetic through a wide range of elegant decorative glass options, while providing unparalleled ease of installation and maintenance.

The Bendheim glass panels are held in place by tested, dependable, mechanical Längle fittings. The unique, patented compression fittings provide increased strength and security. They require no cut-outs or holes in the glass, resulting in optimal wall strength.

Installation of any of the Bendheim Wall Systems glass rainscreens is relatively simple and does not require previous training or special expertise. The smartly engineered clips feature unique installer-friendly designs that adjust easily to field conditions. The fittings can be affixed to steel, aluminum, timber, or other substructures.

Classic Glass, Inc., one of the first installers to work with our new system on the 3001 Orchard Parkway Renovation in San Jose, CA, had only the best feedback about their experience: “It was our first time installing Längle rainscreens, but hopefully not the last. Everything went very smoothly, and the process was straightforward and surprisingly stress-free from start to finish, especially when you consider that tenants were in and out of the building while we were mounting the system. The Bendheim team was very responsive and a pleasure to work with. We are very proud of how the installation came out and of our part in this beautiful transformation.”

Interior Applications

Bendheim Wall Systems’ new glazing systems can install sweeping interior glass walls that create a sense of depth and wonder, without the need for glues, tapes, or other adhesives.

Typical interior glass cladding applications require the combination of mechanical attachments and approved glass adhesives, resulting in time-consuming and potentially messy installations. In some cases, liquid adhesives used on etched and frosted glass panels may permanently stain and damage the decorative glass surfaces. With Bendheim’s innovative glazing clip systems, the use of adhesives, silicones, and mastics is not required.

Bendheim’s new glass cladding systems offer a variety of design options, including:

  1. flush / flat (Wall-F) or horizontally overlapping (Wall-LH) panels,
  2. vertical or horizontal orientation of the glass panels, and
  3. custom panel shapes and materials.

Logo plaques and graphics or electronic screens can also be incorporated into the wall with ease. With the ability to replace individual glass panels, sometimes in as little as 1 minute, Bendheim’s new glass cladding systems are also ideal for back-lit interior feature walls. Easy removal and reinstallation of individual glass panels without having to deglaze surrounding panels makes our systems uniquely equipped to handle such a challenge. They also eliminate the need for special access panels for light fixture maintenance. In fact, one of the first projects our team was tasked with was an interior glass wall cladding application featuring lighting behind the glass and providing future maintenance crews quick and hassle-free access behind the cladding.

Bendheim can provide an unsurpassed variety of decorative glass options for interior wall cladding applications, in combination with our tested, secure, easy-to-install Längle glass fittings. Available in a range of finishes and a virtually limitless color palette, the Längle compression fittings are also an expressive design element.

Our Wall-F (Flat System) and Wall-LH (“Light” Horizontally Overlapping System) are particularly effective for interior feature walls. Both fasteners can accommodate glass thickness from 1/4” (6 mm) to 5/16” (8 mm), perfect for most interior applications. The tested fittings can accommodate panels over 80” x 120” in size. The simplicity of the systems may allow for installation and maintenance by as few as one or two people.

Other Applications

Bendheim Wall Systems Inc. Partners With Längle of Austria to Introduce First-of-Their-Kind Glass Rainscreen Systems

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Bendheim Wall Systems Inc. and Längle of Austria are happy to announce our exclusive collaboration and the introduction of several innovative, pressure-equalized decorative glass rainscreen systems.

This partnership draws on the strength of more than 200 years of collective glass experience and combines Bendheim’s knowledge of decorative glass, Bendheim Wall Systems’ engineering and wall systems expertise, and the superior craftsmanship of Längle’s glazing fittings.

The resulting never-before-seen rainscreen systems offer dependable, tested engineering and a range of functional benefits for new and retrofit building projects alike. Bendheim’s safety decorative glass, combined with Längle compression glazing fittings, result in superior rainscreen solutions to prevent water infiltration, improve the building’s aesthetics, and reduce wind noise.

Notably, several proprietary Bendheim translucent glass designs allow the building to maintain its daylighting capacity while keeping migratory birds safe through patterns designed according to the guidelines of the American Bird Conservancy.

Längle mechanical compression glass fittings are manufactured in Austria, and offer a patented quick assembly method and easy setup. Unlike other systems, individual glass panels can be quickly and easily replaced without having to deglaze surrounding panels.

“With these new decorative glass rainscreens, we are looking to help architects and contractors provide beautiful and highly functional building envelopes, preventing moisture penetration,” said Robert Jayson, President of Bendheim. “Rainscreens present a highly effective way to assure the health of the building in the long run, and reduce future maintenance needs.”