Aluminium and Glass Systems Course

Lesson 1 • Aluminium Alloys and Temper Designations

Covers alloy series, temper codes, and mechanical properties relevant to construction. Establishes material literacy needed for all subsequent specification and fabrication topics.

Lesson 2 • Industry Terminology and Standards

Defines key terms used across aluminium and glass trades. Provides a shared vocabulary that supports accurate communication with engineers, fabricators, and installers.

Lesson 3 • System Categories and Applications

Maps curtain wall, storefront, window wall, and skylight systems to their typical use cases. Clarifies distinctions that guide system selection decisions.

Lesson 1 • Thermal Break Technology

Covers polyamide strip and pour-and-debridge thermal break methods. Explains how break geometry and material affect overall frame thermal performance.

Lesson 2 • Structural Load Analysis for Glazing

Introduces wind, dead, imposed, and seismic loads acting on facade systems. Establishes load path concepts required for frame sizing and anchor design.

Lesson 3 • Performance Testing and Certification

Covers air infiltration, water penetration, and structural performance test sequences. Links test results to product certification and specification compliance.

Lesson 4 • Acoustic Performance of Glass Assemblies

Explains sound transmission class and outdoor-indoor transmission class ratings. Connects glass thickness, lamination, and air gap to acoustic performance outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Surface Finishing Processes

Introduces anodising, powder coating, and PVDF liquid paint finishing. Connects finish selection to durability, aesthetics, and maintenance requirements.

Lesson 2 • Extrusion Process and Die Design

Explains billet preparation, die types, and extrusion press operation. Connects die design decisions to profile dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

Lesson 3 • Quality Control in Fabrication

Introduces inspection checkpoints, dimensional verification, and finish quality assessment. Links fabrication quality control to downstream installation performance.

Lesson 4 • Profile Design for Structural Efficiency

Covers moment of inertia, section modulus, and wall thickness optimisation. Applies structural efficiency principles to mullion and transom profile selection.

Lesson 1 • Setting Blocks and Edge Clearances

Covers setting block material, durometer, placement, and sizing. Establishes edge clearance requirements that prevent glass stress and frame contact.

Lesson 2 • Glazing Sequence and Inspection

Defines the correct order of glazing operations and final inspection criteria. Links proper sequence to weathertight performance and warranty compliance.

Lesson 3 • Glass Handling and Safety Protocols

Covers lifting equipment, suction cup ratings, and glass breakage prevention. Establishes safe handling practices that protect workers and glass integrity.

Lesson 4 • Structural Silicone Glazing Principles

Explains structural silicone bite calculation, substrate compatibility, and cure requirements. Connects SSG design to wind load resistance and glass retention safety.

Lesson 1 • Movement Accommodation and Expansion Joints

Explains thermal expansion, interstory drift, and building settlement movements. Establishes joint sizing and detailing methods that prevent frame distortion and glass breakage.

Lesson 2 • Stick-Built Curtain Wall Systems

Covers mullion and transom layout, splice joint design, and field assembly sequence. Establishes design logic for stick systems on low-rise and mid-rise structures.

Lesson 3 • Unitised Curtain Wall Systems

Explains unit-to-unit joint design, stack joint weathering, and factory assembly advantages. Connects unitised logic to high-rise speed and quality control benefits.

Lesson 4 • Spandrel and Vision Panel Design

Covers spandrel glass selection, insulation backup, and shadow box detailing. Connects spandrel design to thermal performance and facade aesthetic continuity.

Lesson 1 • Air Barrier Integration

Explains air barrier continuity at perimeter conditions, transitions, and penetrations. Connects air barrier design to energy performance and moisture control in the wall assembly.

Lesson 2 • Drainage Plane and Weep Design

Covers weep hole sizing, location, and protection from blockage. Establishes drainage plane continuity that directs water out of the system without interior intrusion.

Lesson 3 • Sealant Selection and Joint Design

Covers silicone, polyurethane, and hybrid sealant chemistries and their movement capabilities. Links joint design geometry to long-term sealant adhesion and durability.

Lesson 4 • Water Management Principles

Explains face-seal, drained, and pressure-equalised rainscreen strategies. Connects water management strategy selection to climate, exposure, and performance requirements.

Lesson 1 • Perimeter Sealing and Weatherproofing

Covers backer rod, sealant joint design, and perimeter flashing integration. Establishes weatherproofing details that prevent air and water infiltration at system perimeters.

Lesson 2 • Storefront System Design Principles

Covers head, sill, and jamb conditions, framing depths, and infill options. Establishes storefront design logic for ground-floor commercial and retail applications.

Lesson 3 • Window Wall System Detailing

Explains slab-to-slab installation, perimeter firestopping, and floor-line conditions. Connects window wall detailing to fire containment and thermal performance requirements.

Lesson 4 • Automatic Door and Vestibule Design

Introduces automatic sliding, swinging, and revolving door systems. Connects vestibule sizing and door sequencing to energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Lesson 1 • Installation Sequencing and Scheduling

Covers installation sequence planning, crane and access equipment scheduling, and weather constraints. Links sequencing decisions to project schedule milestones and safety.

Lesson 2 • Coordination with Structural and MEP Trades

Explains anchor coordination with structural drawings, MEP penetration management, and clash detection. Connects early coordination to reduced field conflicts and schedule risk.

Lesson 3 • Commissioning and Handover

Covers operational testing, cleaning protocols, owner training, and warranty documentation. Establishes handover standards that ensure long-term system performance and owner satisfaction.

Lesson 4 • Shop Drawing Production and Review

Covers shop drawing content requirements, submittal workflow, and review comment resolution. Establishes documentation standards that prevent field errors and variation orders.