Summer 2002

pRoducts

glass
PPG Introduces Solarban 80
Whether you’re looking for reflective or transparent glass, the new Solarban 80 from PPG industries of Pittsburgh may meet your needs.

According to information from the company, Solarban 80 is a solar-control, low-E glass that, depending on light conditions, is either reflective or transparent. 

“Solarban 80 glass has what we believe is the industry’s best balance of the two critical performance characteristics for architectural glazing: visible light transmittance and solar control,” said Scott Smith, architectural market manager, flat glass. “It also provides a dynamic aesthetic, and can have a reflective satin finish in bright light or a transparent steel jade appearance in shade. Indoors, building occupants will be able to enjoy a clear outdoor view, with true color transmittance of objects.”

For more, visit www.ppg.com.

See Clear with AFG’s Radiance Ti™
AFG Industries of Kingsport, Tenn., has announced the introduction of its Radiance Ti self-cleaning glass.

According to information from the company, the glass uses the sun’s ultraviolet energy to break down dirt. The glass’ sheeting properties allow rain or water from a hose to rinse the glass clean.
In addition, Radiance Ti is said to be an energy-efficient, solar-control glass. 

“AFG Industries created this product in response to the needs of our customers,” said D. Roger Kennedy, president and chief executive officer. “Introduction of this product gives our customers the self-cleaning features they want in a product that’s also energy efficient and good for the bottom line.”

Radiance Ti can be tempered or insulated, and can be used in both residential and commercial applications.

For more, visit www.afg.com.

Let There Be Light 
Phoenix-based Cesar Color Inc. has designed a new glass wall system that can be programmed to emit any color in the spectrum, changing at varying speeds from one color to the next. Named ChromaTransFusion, this product was developed by a bonding of proprietary interlayer material between two lites of safety glass. The frosted interlayer is able to evenly distribute a light source cast upon the glass edges, producing uniform coloration from floor to ceiling without hot spots or shadows, according to the company.

ChromaTransfusion is available in panels up to 5 by 12 feet that can be joined together to form larger expanses. “For the first time designers can build with light-creating rooms while effecting the ambience of a space by programming the pattern of light changes,” said Claudio Cesar, developer.

For more, visit www.cesarcolor.com.

Illuminating Glass Options
Schott Corp. of Yonkers, N.Y., has introduced AMIRAN® anti-reflective glass for displaying and protecting objects without distracting reflections. According to the company, AMIRAN glass reduces reflected light to less than 1 percent, enhancing the visual impact of the items on display. It is available in annealed sheets and as tempered or laminated safety, bullet-resistant and insulating glass units.

In addition, Schott has introduced OKALUX® light-diffusing and insulating glass panels, which consist of small capillaries hermetically sealed between two sheets of glass. The company says OKALUX provides high-performance protection against direct sunlight while transmitting natural daylight. These panels may be tailored to the specific needs of glass, curtainwall or skylight applications. According to the company, OKALUX will not change color over time and does not require additional maintenance coatings after installation.

Finally, Schott has introduced OKASOLAR® insulating glass panels, which provide solar and lighting control via a system of fixed, reflective louvers. Through computer-aided design, the angles of the louvers are tailored to a building’s architectural requirements, according to the company. Depending upon the angle and orientation of the louvers, direct light transmission can be varied from 5 percent to 60 percent.

For more, visit www.schott.com.

security glazing
Safe and Secure
Action Bullet Resistant of West Islip, N.Y., has added two new bullet-resistant aluminum doors to its product offerings—the BR 450-4 level 4 and the BR 450-5 level 5. According to information from the company, the doors have completed certification testing to UL 752 standards. Available in full vision, half panel and full panel, the door frames also carry equivalent threat level certified ratings.

In addition, the level 4 and 5 doors are custom fabricated, and can be designed for new and retrofit applications. Sidelights and transoms are available for both. 

For more, visit www.action-bullet.com.

PGI Introduces 3-Panel Insulating Impact Glass
Protective Glass Industries (PGI) of Fort Myers, Fla., has introduced the TPG-2000 glazing system. TPG-2000 is a three-paneled insulating hurricane impact glass system that has passed Dade County, Fla., test requirements. In addition, TPG-2000 contains a thick sheet of polycarbonate, which features 250 times the impact strength of acrylic. It also offers a level of flexibility that the company says enables TPG-2000 to withstand virtually any type of impact. Along with polycarbonate, TPG-2000 also contains two sheets of polyester film by Madico. 

For more, visit www.trishield.net.

Norshield Security Products Introduces New Doors 
Norshield Security Products of Montgomery, Ala., is offering a line of bullet-, attack- and blast-resistant doors. The company’s series 7000 aluminum doors and series 1000 steel doors are shipped pre-hung and factory-assembled. The series 1700 wood doors are constructed of FibreShield fiberglass armor and wood veneer, laminated into one solid unit. The aluminum, steel and wood doors are also available in a double style.

For more, visit www.norshield-security.com.

USBP Unveils Bullet-Resistant Doors
United States Bullet Proofing Inc. (USBP) offers a line of bullet-, blast- and forced-entry resistant doors. The company’s bullet-resistant USAD1000 aluminum doors and USWD2000 wood doors are only two choices available, and come with sidelites and transoms. The doors are shipped pre-hung, factory-assembled and finished with ballistic glazing. 

The USSD3000 steel doors are constructed of extruded ballistic steel and are bullet-, blast- and forced-entry resistant. Other bullet-resistant doors available from USBP are aluminum double doors, wood double doors and forced-entry/bullet- and blast-resistant steel double doors.

For more, visit www.usbulletproof-ing.com.

literature
Major Ideas
A new translucent daylighting idea book is now available from Major Industries of Wausau, Wis. With 24, four-color pages, Major says the book offers designers a wide range of translucent fiberglass insulating sandwich panel system ideas. 

The brochure features skylights, wall panels, curved systems and more. Images detail both interior and exterior views of the projects.

For more, visit www.majorskylights.com.

curtainwall
Wausau Gets Unitized With New Curtainwall
The 7250 U-Wall unitized curtainwall system is now available from Wausau, Wis.-based Wausau Window and Wall Systems. According to information from the company, the system is user-friendly, allowing for system components to be fabricated and assembled in panelized frames. Available design options include pronounced sight lines, operating vents and aluminum feature panels. 

In addition, Wausau adds that the frames usually span vertically, and reduce dependence on field weatherseals as well as accommodating dynamic movements without placing undue stress on glass, sealants or other infills. Units are erected by stacking individual panels vertically and horizontally, resulting in a four-way-stack-joint design.

For more, visit www.wausauwindow.com.

storefronts and entrances 
Grand Entrances
Terrell, Texas-based Vistawall Architec-tural Products has introduced the PerforMax entrance system that, according to the company, is capable of withstanding day-to-day high traffic. 

The system’s frame jamb features an internal steel angle and the door stile has an internal steel bar for mounting hinge hardware. The top rail and header have an integral doorstop and continuous internal steel bars for mounting surface closers. Vistawall says all of the steel is coated with a zinc chromate protective film to prevent corrosion.

Vistawall also has available its FG-5000 hurricane-impact system. The system is a 2½- by 5-inch single-glazed storefront that has been tested with water-resistant entrance doors, complying with Miami/Dade County Protocol 201, 202, 203 and the Southern Building Code Congress International. The system can be fully assembled and glazed in the shop or in the field, prior to screw inspection. 

For more, visit www.vistawall.com.

Architect's Guide to Glass & Metal