Have you ever considered water management when specifying windows?

When specifying windows and doors, how often do you consider water performance?

Architectural specification of windows and doors focuses heavily on system capability, aesthetics, and thermal performance. Water management is not often taken into consideration, and it should be. Ask yourself, what will happen to water if it penetrates inwards at horizontal frame members? How will it exit the system and ensure no water travels inside? Can unsightly visible drainage holes and façade water stains be avoided? How will your specified framing system keep dry?

EDGE Architectural asked these questions when designing the EDGE range, and developed a solution …

Strategic sealing

Commercial window systems are designed to leak. Jambs and mullions become down pipes and transoms function as gutters. The methodology of water re-direction through the frame and into a subsill demonstrates what commercial framing systems are meant to do. Successful fabrication and window system design needs to ensure frames manage water the way we want them to.

Wherever air flows, water follows. When it comes to using sealant for water management, it’s not about creating “fish tank” frames. Sealant needs to be strategically applied at key points, such as butted joints, preventing water penetration and re-directing water towards appropriate drainage outlets.

“Fish tanking” masks poor assembly techniques and relies on water not entering commercial framing systems. “Fish tanking” is a risky method, it does not consider potential areas of water penetration weakness such as:

  • Dry butted joints
  • Transom level water and the need to re-direct it
  • Sill and subsill water management capability

Watershed: helping water find its way

Improving window system drainage methodology was a top priority in the development of the EDGE ranges and performance DNA. Drainage holes and sealants are key water management elements. In addition to these, Team EDGE recognised the need for further control over water within the frames, so we introduced a little something called Watershed.

Watershed sits at the end of the transom – just where it meets a mullion or jamb. Watershed manages and re-directs the flow of rainwater through the system to the external perimeter of a building. It uses vertical members to re-direct water through the frame for collection by the subsill. Once properly assembled, Watershed ensures water cannot run from the end of the transom on top of the glass or the glazing wedge.

Watershed removes the need for unsightly drainage holes across the front of a façade, allowing you to offer your customers a product with superior water drainage methodology and superior good looks.