Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1408886
The Well, Toronto, ON S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 17 Curtain Wall & Window Wall R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E SY R E A D J O N E S C H R I S TO F F ER S EN LT D. Curtain wall and window wall experts are more than ready to meet aggressive efficiency goals by NATALIE BRUCKNER E very year it seems one sector within the industry comes under the spotlight more than others in an effort to achieve aggressive energy efficiency goals; and this year it so happens to be the curtain wall and window wall sector … and experts are more than ready to take on the challenge. Take for example B.C.-based Starline Windows. The company has become well-known for being innovators when it comes to window wall systems. Case in point, Starline's new step-code compliant 9600 series Unitized Wall System that has been developed to meet today's increased energy demands and code driven net-zero initiatives. "This exciting new Wall System will be supplied and installed to Wesgroup Properties' remarkable River District Parcel 26 and Brewery District Parcel 7 projects," says Hillary Schmidt, technical sales representative. Furthermore, Starline has improved its original flagship window wall series and has introduced the 9000R series to the market. "This product was also designed to meet impending net-zero initiatives and will be supplied and installed on Rize Alliance's upcoming rental tower on King George Boulevard in Surrey," says Schmidt. Starline Windows offers several new unique options for opaque areas of its unitized Wall Systems – such as textured powder coat finishes that simulate cementitious panel, terracotta, stone, and masonry – but is a lower cost and construction schedule-friendly alternate. "We also offer a wide range of metal panel options in various profiles, projections, and beveled panels – flush on one side and up to a four-inch projection on the other," says Schmidt. Another anticipated product launch was Starline's 4504 and 4506 series compression seal sliding balcony doors, which allow virtually no air leakage and were designed to meet increased air tightness requirements. The team at RJC Engineers is seeing increasing talk of the green recovery and "Building Back Better" – a strategy aimed at reducing the risk to the people of nations and communities in the wake of future disasters and shocks. "That comes into play when we look at window wall and curtain wall, and consider what systems we are putting in and will they last and get us to net zero in 30 to 40 years," says Duncan Rowe, principal, RJC Engineers. He adds that it's not just about looking at the window wall and curtain wall in a silo anymore either, but how it looks within the entire envelope. "In the past year we have seen more interest in Passive House curtain wall technology, and there is a big push to get Passive House quality windows in retrofits. Many organizations, including non-profits, are pushing for this as opposed to typical replacement products," says Rowe. RJC has been working on a number of great projects including The Well in Toronto, which has the same curtain wall but in different configurations to match the seven different built forms within the community. Rowe sees great opportunities coming up with the new National Building Code's planned relaxing of combustibility requirements for window wall and curtain wall, which means different materials that were not traditionally used will come into play and will not only help with energy performance, but also supply chain issues. With the Toronto Green Standard having just released V4, Rowe is optimistic and says the bar is reaching ever higher. "This will push market adoption and I Under THE SPOTLIGHT expect to see more manufacturers and suppliers come up with greater innova- tion for high-performance windows that can be mass produced locally." Over the past 12 months, Cascadia Windows & Doors has seen an increased focus on a whole-building approach to energy performance, partly due to more stringent code requirements, but also due to a growing overall awareness and acceptance about the importance of higher performance buildings and a real- ization that they don't have to be costly and difficult to build. "Architects and developers are taking a holistic look at their overall building envelope assembly – not just thinking of individual components in isolation. Once they consider their building through this lens, they're targeting the enve- lope's weakest links for improvement, like low-performance fenestration. By changing to high-performance fenestration, it's making it easier to meet emerg- ing, more stringent code requirements," explains Michael Bousfield, technical director at Cascadia Windows & Doors.