Pressure equalised design
The weathering design of these curtainwall suites follows recognised international curtainwall design principles - rainscreen pressure equalisation and system drainage - which requires primary and secondary weathering.
All internal cavities of the system are designed to be pressure equalised (i.e. no pressure differential between the outside face and any internal cavity). This feature allows the water which penetrates the rainscreen to drain and maintain ventilation. The rear air seal is critical to the system's weathering performance as air infiltration acts as the medium which transports water through to the building's interior, i.e. it is the prime cause of any leakage.
Non-vision rainscreen areas act as a primary water-stop, the second airseal and cavity acts as a backup to collect and drain away any water that manages to penetrate the primary rainscreen barrier, with an integral structural backpan.
Integrated Elements
Almost an unlimited type of materials can be integrated into a unitised panel, including different glass types, metals, brackets to receive externally mounted fins, louvres, venetians or building signage for example.
Low-Carbon Aluminium
Thermosash partners with a local NZ-owned extruder achieving a lower carbon footprint than the global average - offering reduced upfront carbon emissions. (find out more about our Sustainable Aluminium).
Thermosash manufacture all of our own façade components in New Zealand, and primarily source materials were available from the New Zealand market to reduce transport distances and emissions from freight. We recycle 100% of all our metal waste.
Performance / Testing
Thermosash owns and operates the largest façade testing facility in New Zealand where we test our systems and custom designed suites to ensure compliance with the below codes or project specific requirements:
- AS/NZS1170 (Structural Design Actions)
- NZS4211 (Performance of Windows)
- NZS4223 (Glazing in Buildings)
- NZS/AS4284:2008 (Water / Air Pressure/ Air Leakage - Meets and exceeds minimum requirements)
All the Thermosash suites are independently laboratory tested to IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand). Test certificates are available on request.
Warranty
The standard warranty is 10 years from the date of practical completion for these products. This covers workmanship and weather tightness, providing the subcontract includes fabrication, installation and glazing of all components, and the maintenance schedule is adhered to.
Maintenance
Maintaining glass, metals and stone are all particular to the environment that they are placed in: eg. marine, environmental pollution, exposure to natural washing, etc.
It is recommended by almost all material suppliers that building washing should occur every 3-6 months to prevent staining to glass and prevent environmental pollutants from corroding metals and to maintain the material warranties.
A full maintenance manual is provided on completion of a project for all the elements integrated within a project. Compliance to a maintenance schedule is essential to maintaining the quality of the installed product over time. Using Thermosash-approved facade maintenance contractor/personnel ensures the highest standards are met.
