Structural Glazing & Point-Fixed Glass Walls in Miami
Structural silicone glazing (SSG), spider-fitting glass walls and glass fins for lobbies, atriums and entrances in Miami, engineered as one system.
- Look
- Flush, frameless glass
- Fixing
- Silicone, spiders or fins
- Glass
- Laminated, often low-iron
- Design
- Engineered per project
About structural glazing & point-fixed glass
Structural silicone glazing bonds the glass to the frame so the outside face is flush, with no caps. Point-fixed systems go further: the glass is held by stainless fittings on steel, cables or glass fins, so the wall reads as pure glass.
These are engineered assemblies. The glass, silicone, fittings and support structure have to work together under wind and movement, so we coordinate them as one package, with adhesion testing and calculations, from the first design meeting.
Our project · InternationalAnatomy of structural glazing & point-fixed glass
- Structural siliconeThe silicone bead that bonds the glass to the frame and carries wind load. Its bite and thickness are calculated per ASTM C1401.
- Glass make-upLaminated or insulated glass, heat-strengthened or tempered, sized by analysis (ASTM E1300) for the wind pressure and supports.
- Spider fittingsStainless steel arms with articulated bolts that hold the glass at its corners and allow rotation as the glass deflects.
- Glass finsVertical laminated glass blades that stiffen tall glass walls without steel columns.
- Support structureSteel, stainless cable nets or trusses that carry the loads back to the building structure.
- Adhesion testingSilicone adhesion and compatibility are tested on the actual frame finish before production (ASTM C794).
Engineered and tested for Miami's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Performance standards
A curtain wall is one of the most tested assemblies in a building. These are the tests and approvals our engineers design to and document for every project.
ASTM E283 · Air leakage
Measures air infiltration through the wall under a pressure difference. Commercial curtain wall is commonly specified at 0.06 cfm/ft² at 6.24 psf.
ASTM E331 · Static water
No uncontrolled water penetration at the project test pressure, proving the seals, gaskets and internal drainage work together.
AAMA 501.1 · Dynamic water
Wind-driven rain simulated with a high-velocity fan, closer to a real tropical storm than a static test.
ASTM E330 · Structural
The wall is loaded to its design wind pressure and to a 150% proof load, with deflection and permanent set measured.
AAMA 501.4 · Inter-story drift
Floors are moved relative to each other to confirm the wall accommodates building sway and slab movement without failure.
TAS 201 / 202 / 203 · HVHZ
Miami-Dade protocols for large-missile impact (a 9 lb 2x4 at 50 ft/s), static pressure and thousands of cyclic pressure reversals.
Miami-Dade NOA / FL Product Approval
The approval that lets a system be permitted in Miami-Dade and Broward (HVHZ) or elsewhere in Florida, matched to sizes and design pressures.
AAMA 501.2 / AAMA 503 · Field testing
Water testing of the installed wall on site, used to verify workmanship on the first areas installed.
Code references are summarized for orientation. Final requirements are confirmed by the engineer of record and the building department for each project.
Design considerations
What our engineering team reviews with the design team before the drawings are final.
- Decide the approval path earlyIn the HVHZ, frameless glass walls need an approved system or a project-specific engineering and testing path. We confirm it at concept stage.
- Glass size and weightLarge panes need special handling and lifting equipment; panel sizes are set with fabrication and installation in mind.
- Low-iron for clarityLow-iron glass removes the green tint, which matters on thick laminated glass and glass fins.
- Coordinate the steelThe support steel is part of the architecture. Connections, finishes and tolerances are designed together with the glass.
Our project · InternationalCurtain wall systems compared
A quick reference our engineers use with architects and owners when choosing the right system.
| Unitized | Stick-built | Structural glazing / point-fixed | Storefront & window wall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Factory-framed and glazed units | Framed and glazed on site | Glass bonded or point-supported | Framed on site between slabs or at grade |
| Best fit | Towers, hotels, condos | Low and mid-rise, podiums, lobbies | Lobbies, atriums, feature walls | Ground floors, retail, slab-to-slab |
| Schedule | Fastest close-in on repetitive floors | Flexible, more site labor | Detail-intensive, engineered per project | Fast on standard openings |
| Quality control | Highest, glazing done indoors | Depends on site conditions | Very high, adhesion tested | Standard |
| Look | Narrow joints, stack-joint lines | Captured caps or SSG | Flush, frameless glass | Visible framing, doors integrated |
What we supply
One package from design-assist to closeout, so there is one team accountable for the result.
- Two- or four-sided structural silicone glazing
- Spider fittings, bolts and support steel
- Glass fins and cable-supported options
- Glass make-up and fitting engineering
- Silicone adhesion and compatibility testing
- Installation management with licensed and insured partners
Options & specifications
Final systems, glass and finishes are confirmed per project in shop drawings and submittals.
| Glass | Laminated and insulated, low-iron for maximum clarity |
|---|---|
| Supports | Steel, stainless cable, glass fins |
| Fittings | Countersunk or button spider fittings in stainless steel |
| Approvals | Approval path for the wind zone confirmed early in design |
From plans to closeout
- Plans reviewSend drawings and specs. We review the scope, the wind zone and the code path, and list any questions.
- ProposalA priced proposal with the system, glass and finish, plus value-engineering options where they help budget or lead time.
- Engineering & approvalsShop drawings, structural calculations by a Florida-licensed PE, product approvals and samples for the architect's review.
- FabricationSystems are fabricated to the approved drawings and delivered to suit the site schedule.
- InstallationInstallation by licensed and insured partner crews, with our project manager on site. The permit is pulled by the contractor of record.
- CloseoutPunch list, warranties, as-builts and maintenance information handed over.
Our project · InternationalOur project · International
Structural Glazing & Point-Fixed Glass: FAQ
Can point-fixed glass be used in a hurricane zone?
Yes, with the right glass make-up, engineering and approval path. We confirm the route for Miami-Dade or Broward at design stage, before the look is locked in.
Is the silicone really structural?
Yes. Structural silicone is designed and tested to carry wind loads. The joint size is calculated, and adhesion is tested on the actual frame finish.
What is four-sided structural glazing?
Glass bonded to the frame on all four edges with structural silicone, so the exterior shows only glass and narrow sealant joints.
Are glass fins strong enough for a hurricane zone?
Yes, when engineered and laminated correctly. Fins are designed for wind load, deflection and post-breakage behavior.
Request a Structural Glazing & Point-Fixed Glass quote
Send the scope, drawings or a link to the bid set. We review it and reply with questions, a system proposal or a price.
- Free, no-obligation quote or bid
- Value-engineering options included
- Scope review by our technical team
- One point of contact from bid to closeout
Prefer to talk to our estimating team?