Create large glass areas with circular, easy-to-process curtain wall system

Architects and building owners are increasingly opting for large areas of glass with slim profiles to let in plenty of daylight and ensure maximum transparency. The processor would like to keep it as optimal as possible. Finally, sustainability and circularity are the code words in our contemporary society. SAPA combined all these aspects in the innovative modular facade concept TENTAL available with 50 and 60 mm wide aluminum profiles. This range is produced from Hydro CIRCAL 75R post-consumer material with extremely low CO2 footprint, possibly even with CIRCAL 100R material for larger projects.

TENTAL gives architects and consultants the creative freedom to design the facade they actually envision. Indeed, this modular concept, available with 50 and 60 mm wide aluminum profiles, allows the creation of facades with large glazing units. The modules can feature panels weighing up to 850 kg and with a surface area of up to 12.25 m², depending on the type of glass used. Concealed, inward and outward opening windows were designed specifically for these facades, and there is a complete range of cover caps, different assembly technologies and a wide range of finishes and colors to choose from. In addition, the technology can be easily changed between TENTAL 50 and TENTAL 60 and this curtain wall is compatible with a full range of windows, doors and sliding doors from SAPA.

"TENTAL scores high with air tightness up to AE 1500 Pa, water tightness up to RE 1500 Pa, wind resistance up to 2000 Pa, burglar resistance classes RC2 and RC3, thermal insulation Ucw up to 0.65 W/m²K and acoustic insulation Rw (C;Ctr) of 45 (-1;-3) dB. These systems use dry connection of the interior glazing rubbers, i.e. without glue or silicone. Compared to classic rubbers, our solution without mousse doubles the tolerance field," says Johan de Bruijckere, product marketing manager at SAPA. 

"With this concept we also offer above all a simple solution, so processors should not be afraid that a facade is too complex for them. When developing this curtain wall, we looked at how we could significantly optimize the life of the processor. After all, thanks to a simple and fast assembly and mounting of the systems, a lot of time can be saved. Especially for the smaller facade builder, this economic aspect can be decisive. SAPA's TechDesign software also helps with calculations and visualization in 3D. For example, one can calculate the U-values of the entire range and this software also creates EPD reports to document the environmental impact. This EPD is generated automatically and also adapts to the element."

Naturally, circularity and sustainability were also taken into account, themes that are nowadays indispensable in the construction industry. As with SAPA's other systems, only Hydro CIRCAL 75R is used for the production of TENTAL 50 and 60, specifically aluminum that consists of at least 75 % of post-consumer scrap and has a footprint of only 1.9 kg CO₂ per kg of aluminum has. 

"Aluminum is ideal as a circular material. After all, it can be used endlessly without loss of quality and properties. Moreover, thanks to the revolutionary treatment of the scrap delivered, the quality of this material is identical to that of primary aluminum," Johan de Bruijckere concludes. "By the way, we go one step further, as we can also produce window, door, curtain wall profiles made of 100% recycled aluminum for larger projects. This under the name Hydro CIRCAL 100R. This allows us to produce profiles with a carbon footprint averaging 0.5 kg per kg of aluminum produced, immediately the lowest in the world."