Engineering Standards

The aluminum profiles that form the skeleton of our systems are produced from 6063 (AlMg0.7Si) alloy in accordance with international EN 755-9 tolerance standards and brought to their final mechanical values with T5 (Thermal) heat treatment. Magnesium (Mg) and Silicon (Si) alloys maximize corrosion resistance, while high extrusion capability ensures flawless production of complex profile cross-sections.

Polyamide Thermal Breaks

Aluminum is a material with high thermal conductivity (~200 W/mK). In insulated sliding and winter garden projects, fiberglass-reinforced 14.8 mm - 24 mm Polyamide (PA66 GF25) barriers are pressed between the profiles to cut the conduction between the outside air and the inside air. This process reduces the total heat transfer coefficient (Uf) of the profile by 70%.

Energy savings in glass systems are determined by the material's thermal conductivity coefficient, the U-Value (W/m²K), and Solar Energy Transmittance (SHGC/g-value). Thermal dynamics are controlled at the molecular level in our insulating glass units produced to TS EN 1279 standards.

Argon (Ar) gas of 90% purity injected into the air gap slows down heat transfer by convection significantly, as it is a heavier noble gas compared to air. Low-E (Low Emissivity) coatings containing silver reflect the radiant heat back from the glass, keeping the interior warm in winter.

The resistance of the glass forming the exterior envelope of the building against static pressures and impacts is a critical engineering issue. The glass we apply with Şişecam infrastructure is subject to two main safety norms:

1. Tempered Glass and HST (Heat Soak Test)

According to EN 12150 norms, glass heated up to the 650°C - 700°C band is suddenly cooled (quenching), creating a minimum 90 MPa compressive stress on its surface. However, microscopic Nickel Sulfide (NiS) particles that can remain inside the glass during production can cause the glass to suddenly shatter years later. In order to reduce this risk to zero in our projects, the glasses are subjected to EN 14179 HST (Heat Soak Test) process in the oven and defective glasses are eliminated at the factory.

2. Laminated Glass and SentryGlas® Technology

Laminated glasses (EN 14449) used in winter garden ceilings are pressed with a PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) layer of minimum 0.76 mm placed between two glass plates. In top-level projects that require extra static load and hurricane resistance, Ionoplast SentryGlas (SGP) interlayers, which are 100 times harder and 5 times more tear-resistant than normal PVB, are used. Even if the glass breaks, it maintains its rigid form and prevents collapse.

The biggest enemy of architectural structures closing open areas is wind vacuum and snow accumulation. Our projects are designed according to EN 1991-1-3 (Snow Loads) and EN 1991-1-4 (Wind Actions) standards.

Static Tolerances and Deflection

The Moment of Inertia (Ixx, Iyy cm⁴) values of the main carrier pillars of the winter garden and pergola are calculated according to the span (L) and the applied load. In order to maintain structural integrity and prevent the glasses from straining and shattering, the maximum deflection limit of the system is designed as L/200 horizontally and L/300 vertically.

Sealing is not just about keeping water out, it's about managing capillary action and condensation. The temperature difference between the indoors and outdoors causes sweating on the inner surface of the profiles.

Our engineering solution is isobaric drainage chambers integrated into profile sections. These chambers break the wind pressure and throw the sweating water directly outside through hidden channels with the gravity acceleration.

EPDM Chemistry and Acoustic (Rw) Performance

The insulation materials at the junction points of balcony wings can never be standard PVC or silicone. Automotive standard EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber seals with ISO 1431 Ozone Resistance Norms are used.

These EPDM seals, which have a hardness of 60-70 Shore A, do not lose their flexibility between -40°C and +120°C. In this way, when combined with the right laminated glass combination, it creates serious acoustic comfort by absorbing outdoor noise up to 38 dB (Rw Index).