A semi-unitized curtain wall glazing system is a type of structural glazing where the primary structural framing components are erected individually as an erector set. In this set, the vertical mullions are attached first to the floor slabs and the horizontals are attached to the vertical mullions to resemble a grid. The glass panel and the spandrel, which can be either glass or aluminium are shop glazed and installed into the assembled grid work. The joineries and perimeter sealants are fields installed. The semi unitized systems largely anchored to the face of the slab as embedded plates or inserts.
Advantages of Semi-Unitized Glazing
- The vertical mullions in most semi-unitized glazing systems can span two floors with ease and as a result, provide greater structural efficiency.
- Most semi-unitized glazing systems have shop-assembled or off-site assembled frames. This reduces the time and cost.
Limitations of Semi-Unitized Glazing
- The flip-side of having off-site assembled frames is the increased transport cost and storage cost at the manufacturer’s place.