New from Technoform Glass Insulation (TGI), TGI-Spacer M with Wire to improve the overall thermal and structural performance, reduce the risk of condensation, and enhance the appearance of window systems for commercial, industrial and residential building applications. Supporting glazing manufacturers' productivity and reliability goals, the optimized profile geometry and increased rigidity of TGI-Spacer M with Wire provides industry-leading durability and easier handling during fabrication.
Featuring a hybrid composition, TGI-Spacer M with Wire is a cold bendable, warm edge spacer bar comprised of a thin, low conductivity stainless steel, a spring steel wire and an engineered thermoplastic. "TGI-Spacer's hybrid technology combines the excellent seal durability and structural performance of a stainless steel box spacer with the thermal performance of a non-metallic spacer. Introducing the reinforcing steel wire provides improved processing efficiencies and bent frame integrity without negatively impacting thermal performance," explains says Brian Stephens, TGI market team member.
He continues, "Thermally efficient building envelopes of today and tomorrow are critical to energy management, and TGI-Spacer M with Wire's drop-in solution meets, or exceeds, the toughest industry expectations in all climates. By reducing the heat transfer at the edge of glass, our product helps minimize the risk of condensation on the interior glass surface, and improve thermal comfort for building occupants."
TGI's portfolio of hybrid spacer systems incorporates a high-performance polymer and low-conductivity stainless steel to provide minimal heat transfer, and maximum protection against gas leakage and moisture penetration. Third-party simulations following the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) standards show that using TGI-Spacer M in aluminum framed, fixed window systems with a polyamide thermal break can achieve a 7.5 percent overall system U-value improvement over standard aluminum spacers and equal to non-metal silicone foam spacers for a dual-glazed system. TGI-Spacer M also can increase the condensation resistance rating by 17 percent and improve the sightline temperature up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
Beyond energy-efficiency, TGI-Spacer systems also can contribute to building teams' wellness and sustainable project goals, such as the daylighting and material health ingredient criteria detailed in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED v4. Demonstrating its commitment to these practices, TGI-Spacer M with Wire was awarded a Platinum Material Health Certificate by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
"TGI-Spacer M with Wire also gives designers the freedom to achieve their aesthetic vision," Stephens adds. "It visibly improves sightlines, and its wide range of size configurations and colors blend with nearly any window frame." These spacers are available in six standard colors: black, light gray, dark gray, white, champagne and bronze. Custom colors and sizes also are offered through TGI's customized solutions program.
