YKK AP America, Inc. (YKK AP) recently introduced its new YCW 750 OGP, a curtainwall product incorporating a pressure plate made from an industry proven material, polyamide 6.6. The polyamide pressure plate is a superior alternative to competitive fiberglass pressure plates that require special handling and equipment during fabrication.
“We are focused on providing architects with proven solutions to meet the needs of sustainable design by lowering the energy demand of commercial buildings. Using a polyamide pressure plate with YKK AP’s most popular curtain wall system greatly reduces energy flow through the framing system.” said Mike Turner, vice president of marketing for YKK AP. “This new pressure plate was developed with the support of our global partner, Technoform Bautec, a world leader in the design and manufacturing of polyamide thermal barriers for use in commercial fenestration.”
For more than 30 years, polyamide 6.6 structural insulating strips have been field tested as a premiere thermal barrier technology in aluminum fenestration. The material is widely accepted and specified as a means of improving the thermal performance of window products.
“The versatility and proven track record of polyamide 6.6 makes it the clear choice versus competitive fiberglass materials when looking to improve the thermal performance of curtain walls,” said Turner. “The pressure plate’s design allows architects to incorporate a variety of exterior covers to meet their design requirements.”
The new polyamide pressure plate can be used with YKK AP’s YCW 750 outside glazed curtain wall system to improve the unit’s overall thermal efficiency and condensation resistance. It also reduces temperature transfer from the exterior to the interior, creating a more comfortable interior space. The YCW 750 OGP will deliver a 20 percent gain in U-factor performance and a 10 percent gain in its condensation resistance factor (CRF) when used with standard low-emissivity glass (Center of Glass of 0.29 Btu/hr•ft2•°F (1.66 W/m2•K), air infill and aluminum box type spacer). Even greater performance can be achieved when combined with higher performance glass packages.
For more information, please visit ykkap.com.
