A well designed façade that involves fully glazed or transparent features adds great aesthetic value to the building. However, the complementary nature of this aesthetic is then ruined by spandrel glass which is never in harmony with the vision glass in terms of tint and reflectiveness. Unfortunately, architects are rarely able to obtain the smooth, even look they desire but are compelled to make do with subpar options.
While there are spandrel glass solutions that can closely match the vision glass, these options are frequently accompanied by high costs, making them less accessible for many projects. Finding the right balance between aesthetic perfection and budget considerations remains a key challenge for designers striving to maintain their creative vision.
Spandrel glass is opaque glass used to conceal structural elements of a building, such as columns, floors, HVAC systems, vents, electrical wiring, and plumbing. By hiding these components, it ensures they are not visible from the building's exterior, maintaining a clean and cohesive look.
In modern architectural designs, particularly those incorporating curtain walls or structural glazing, spandrel glass plays a critical role in achieving the desired aesthetic. Positioned typically between vision glass panels on each floor, it can either blend harmoniously or contrast with the vision glass, depending on the architectural intent.
Coating the envelope of a glass-fronted building to a uniform pattern requires even more effort though this might not be a big issue if the architects wish to match the spandrel glass with the vision glass by color, reflectivity, and even resistance to vandalism. It is even more challenging when the vision glass has high values of light transmission or low external reflectivity values whereby it may be impossible to perfectly match for color.
As the study shows, the daylight conditions play a vital role in the perception of vision spandrel glass match. It can also work on a sunny day when the reflectivity of both the glass types creates a better continuity of pattern and makes them look quite integrated with each other. On the other hand, if the building is painted to blend well on a gray sky day, then there might be a significant difference in the ratio of transmission of light from the outside at various parts of the building depending on whether the day is overcast or dull.
Spandrel glass is a crucial component of architectural façades, available in various forms, including opacified uncoated or coated glass, shadow box constructions, or insulated glass units (IGUs) combining solar control and opaque panes. Below are four common JDX spandrel glass solutions:
1. Monolitic Float Glass with Enamel (Picture 1)
A cost-effective solution involves applying enamel to surface #2 of a monolithic float glass. However, this method often results in a mismatch between the enamel’s color and the coating on the vision glass, making it challenging to achieve a seamless appearance across the façade.
2. Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) Spandrels (Picture 2)
IGU spandrels feature coated glass on surface #2 and enamel on surface #4, offering excellent color and aesthetic uniformity with the rest of the façade. However, this option is more expensive than monolithic float glass solutions.
3. Monolithic Spandrels with JDX Coatings (Picture 3)
Using JDX high durable or solar reflective coatings allows enamel to be directly applied to the coated surface. This provides an economical, visually consistent, and versatile solution suitable for various applications.
4. Shadow Box Construction (Picture 4)
Shadow box configurations use monolithic JDX-coated glass, delivering a high-performance, aesthetically appealing solution that adds depth and elegance to the façade.
Each solution balances cost, appearance, and functionality, allowing architects and designers to choose the optimal spandrel glass for their project.
JDX Glass offers its most durable coatings, JDX SunVue® HD and JDX SunVue® RB 20, specifically designed for monolithic spandrels. These coatings are seamlessly compatible with a range of JDX SunVue® solar control glass products, including SunVue® Extra Selective (SNX), SunVue® SuperNeutral (SN), SunVue® High Durable (HD), and SunVue® High Performance (HP).
