What Are Spandrel Glass Panels?
What Are Spandrel Glass Panels?
Spandrel glass panels are pieces of glass used in building construction as infill between the floors of a high-rise structure or as opaque wall panels to hide structural or mechanical equipment. They are typically non-transparent and are used to mask the space between the floors.
Spandrel glass is used to conceal structural building components. Spandrel glass is often referred to as opaque or non-transparent glass because it’s highly reflective and doesn’t allow light to pass through it.
For example, if you look at a window in your home or office building from the outside, you might notice small gaps between each pane of glass; these gaps are called spandrels (or spandrel panels) and were created for structural purposes only–not for decoration!
Spandrel glass is used to conceal structural building components, such as columns and beams. It is not transparent; rather, it is opaque and highly reflective. Spandrels are typically located between two surfaces of a building perpendicular to each other (i.e., they form an X).
The use of spandrel glass panels prevents these structural components from being visible from the exterior of the building.
Spandrel glass is often used in residential and commercial settings, most commonly in curtain walls and systems. It can also be used as an architectural element on windows, doors, and other building components.
Spandrel glass is not typically used for residential applications because it’s generally not as energy efficient as other types of glazing.
What Is The Purpose Of A Spandrel Panel?
Spandrel panels are pre-assembled structural panels used as a separating wall or as an external gable roof panel. They conform to ‘Robust Details’.
The Robust detail certification scheme is for separating walls and floors in new build houses and bungalows.
What Material Is A Spandrel Panel?
When purchased, spandrel glass should be tempered to withstand high-temperature stress. If the spandrel is intended for an opening where safety glass is required by law or code or where human impact is a concern, the glass substrate should be hot-treated to withstand the stress.
How Thick Is Spandrel Glass?
Spandrel panels are also known as infill panels or insulated aluminum composite panels. They are commonly used to infill areas of glazing curtain walls or storefronts. They take the place of 1″ or 1/4″ thick glass units.
The spandrel panel consists of two layers: an outer skin and an inner core, forming an insulating airspace between them. The outer skin is typically made from aluminum, but some companies also offer stainless steel options.
The inner core can be made from either polyethylene foam insulation (PEI) or expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Depending on your needs and budget, one option may work better than another–for example, if you want something more resistant to moisture damage over time, then PEI would be preferable; however, EPS might perform better when it comes to soundproofing because it has fewer air gaps between its cells compared with PEI which allows sound waves easier passage through them
What Material Is Spandrel Made Of?
Spandrels are made from many different materials. Vinyl, fiber cement, wood, and metal are the most common ones.
- Vinyl
Vinyl is a material that’s used in many different applications. It’s durable, easy to install, and affordable. This makes vinyl a good choice for spandrels because the material will hold up over time and won’t cost too much money.
Vinyl is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This compound is created by combining vinyl chloride with plasticizers such as phthalates or adipates.
These additives allow the PVC to be flexible enough for use in products like clothing or furniture cushions but still rigid enough to maintain its shape when installed into walls or other structures like windowsills (which can be called “spandrels”).
- Fiber cement
Fiber cement is a composite material made of cement, cellulose fibers, and water. The fibers give the material strength and durability; they also make it resistant to moisture and insects.
Fiber cement is used in many commercial and residential applications, including exterior walls, roofing shingles, and siding.
- Wood
Wood is an excellent choice for spandrels. It’s durable, and it lasts for years. You can stain or paint wood to match the rest of your house’s trim or leave it natural if you want a more rustic look.
Wood spandrels are easy to install because they fit into place with screws rather than having to be hung from above as other materials do
- Metal
Metal spandrels are the most durable and expensive material for your project. They’re also more difficult to install than other materials, so you should be sure you have someone who can do it for you. Metal spandrels come in various colors, including bronze, copper, and stainless steel.