Unlocking New Potential for Structural Glazing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47982/cgc.10.704Published
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Copyright (c) 2026 Valérie Hayez, Frédéric Gubbels, Davide Dei Santi, Telesilla Bristogianni, Faidra Oikonomopoulou
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Silicone bonded glazing (structural glazing) is a pivotal technology in curtain wall systems, offering a seamless and aesthetically pleasing facade for modern architectural designs. This technique uses wet applied silicone sealants to bond glass to a building's structural frame, eliminating mechanical fasteners and providing a sleek, uninterrupted glass surface. Some of the proven advantages include long term thermal insulation and excellent resistance to various loads. The durability of the silicone means less maintenance and replacement over time of a bonded façade. A significant innovation in silicone bonded glazing is the development of a new bonding silicone solution which improves productivity, sustainability, cost, design options and aesthetics. The silicone is pre-applied as a strip on a metal frame or insert. This post-cure strip develops adhesion to glass through a simple primer application even after months of storage. As the strip is already cured, bonded glazing units can be quickly assembled and shipped. The pre-dispensed controlled joint dimension minimizes the risk of errors and reduces material waste. The silicone strip allows reducing the overall silicone, spacer tape and aluminum content for structural glazing elements. This contributes to a more cost effective and lower environmental footprint bonding system. This paper reviews the key properties and possibilities offered by this new silicone bonded glazing technology.
