Tubelite ForceFront Storm hurricane/impact doors help protect people and property

Helping protect people and property, Tubelite Inc. introduces its ForceFront Storm hurricane/impact architectural entrance door systems with an expanded choice of approved hardware. These new door systems are ideally suited for low- and mid-rise retail, educational, hospitality, government and institutional buildings in regions with hurricanes and storms.

Engineered for compliance with High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Wind Zone 3, large missile impact, these ForceFront Storm door systems also meet large missile impact glazing requirements for C, D, and E missile per Testing Application Standard (TAS) 201 and ASTM E1886-13a and E1996-17. They achieve up to 70 psf Design Pressure and meet the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) test standard for forced entry resistance.

Available as Standard Medium and Standard Wide Stile in 1.75-inch depths, or Monumental Medium and Monumental Wide Stile in 2-inch depths, Tubelite’s ForceFront Storm hurricane/impact side-hinged doors’ hardware choices from widely accepted industry sources include concealed vertical rod (CVR) and rim exit devices, active and inactive door lock assemblies, removable mullions, and continuous gear, offset pivot or butt hinges.

Featuring durable, tie-rod corner construction, Tubelite’s ForceFront Storm hurricane/impact side-hinged doors are supported with a lifetime warranty. The strength of this construction also allows contractors the flexibility of making adjustments in the field. Dry glazing, structural silicone glazing and VHB tape glazing options further support contractors’ labor-efficient needs. Recent improvements to the glazing stop design eliminate the need for screw applying the main stop to the door, reducing labor.

Tubelite’s ForceFront Storm hurricane/impact door systems accommodate various thicknesses of laminated and insulating laminated glass. The doors and frames can be specified with recycled aluminum. A choice of 21 standard colors in painted and anodized finishes are available, as well as an infinite number of custom colors and specialty options.

For additional information or personalized assistance in selecting aluminum fenestration products from Tubelite, please email dependable@tubeliteinc.com or call 800-866-2227.

_{About Tubelite Inc.}

_{For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.}

_{Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations. Its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has an office in Warwick, Rhode Island.}

_{Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the National Glass Association/Glass Association of North America (NGA/GANA), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).}

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In the News: Tubelite selected as Buildings’ Money-Saving Product

Buildings magazine has selected Tubelite’s 400 4-Side SSG Cassette Series as a top Money-Saving Product for 2019. This system offers valuable savings in labor and installation time spent in the field.

The 400 4-Sided SSG Cassette’s glass-to-edge design can be used with Tubelite’s 400CW, 400T, 400SS and 400TU curtainwall framing to accomplish the clean all glass appearance on the exterior.

For more information on this system, visit our webpage.

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Tubelite’s new, thermal pressure plate for curtainwall

Tubelite introduces a new, thermal pressure plate for use on all of our curtainwall systems with a 2-1/2-inch sightline. This new thermal pressure plate employs the following features and benefits:

The same 8-inch-on-center screw spacing as on our standard aluminum pressure plates
With a comparable thickness as the aluminum pressure plates, the same fastener can be used with no flat washers required
IDs built into the face for location of weep holes for the system used
Standard isolators are used for our 400CW and 400T systems, and a continuous seal for our 400TU and 400SS systems in lieu of an isolator
The new, thermal pressure plate matches the strength of aluminum and exceeds that of our polyamide pressure plate, while offering comparable thermal performance at the same price point as polyamide
All of our standard 400 Series face covers are interchangeable with the new PTB120 pressure plate
(E4TB64 shown at right)

The new, thermal pressure plate is part number PTB120. Updates to the price book, installation manuals and perimeter sheet details are available. For more information, please see the new product bulletin.

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Tubelite introduces 400 4-Side SSG Cassette Series with proprietary anchors and glass-to-edge glazing

Tubelite Inc. launches a new 400 4-Side SSG Cassette Series glazing system for building envelopes in low- and mid-rise commercial curtainwall applications, such as retail centers, offices, health care facilities and schools. The aluminum-framed, factory-fabricated and factory-glazed system is field installed into the curtainwall grid with 2.5-inch interior sightlines and the strength of variable-depth back members in sizes from 5-5/8- to 10-inches.

This new cassette system allows for Tubelite’s proprietary glass-to-edge glazing, accommodating 0.25-inch-thick glass to triple-glazed units, without the need for captured perimeter members. It also features pivot-and-slide head and jamb anchors, and roll-over dead load sill anchors for fast and accurate installation.

“No other manufacturer offers this concept and a U.S. patent is pending approval on a number of our unique Cassette Series features,” said Tim Fookes, Tubelite’s vice president of engineering. “This new system uses reliable screw spline construction and is designed for use with our time-tested 400 Series Curtainwall framing.”

In addition to its 400CW, 400T, 400SS and 400TU curtainwall, Tubelite’s Cassette Series is compatible with its MaxBlock® sun shades and its door frames. It also can be modified to attach to other systems for retrofit applications.

Fookes added, “Our innovative Cassette Series, its efficient integration with other systems and its dependable performance contribute to a complete, convenient installation. When contractors can save time in the field and make the best use of their available labor, by applying the four-side structural silicone seal under factory-controlled conditions, it helps the project team stay on schedule and within budget, as well as meet projects’ performance, sustainability and aesthetic goals.”

Tubelite’s 400 4-Side SSG Cassette Series has passed testing for air and water infiltration, structural integrity, condensation resistance and thermal performance. The aluminum used to produce all of Tubelite’s framing systems, sun shades and light shelves can be extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition. Anodized and painted finishes in a broad range of colors can be specified for Tubelite’s Cassette Series’ aluminum framing, snap-on perimeter closures, and optional horizontal and vertical accent covers. Durable finishes reduce buildings’ maintenance costs and enhance long lifecycles.

For additional information or personalized assistance in selecting aluminum fenestration products, please email dependable@tubeliteinc.com or call 800-866-2227.

About Tubelite Inc.

For more than 70 years, glazing contractors have counted on Tubelite’s dependable service, fabrication and distribution of architectural aluminum products. Part of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., the company is an industry leader in eco-efficient storefront, curtainwall and entrance systems, and recognized for its fast, reliable and consistent delivery.

Tubelite’s corporate office, fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations are located in Walker, Michigan. Its Dallas location provides additional fabrication, warehouse and shipping operations. Its facility in Reed City, Michigan, houses the company’s aluminum extrusion operation. The company also has offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Warwick, Rhode Island.

Tubelite and its staff are members of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), the National Glass Association/Glass Association of North America (NGA/GANA), the Society of Military Engineers (SAME) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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Tubelite launches 400SS Screw Spline Thermal Curtainwall

Tubelite Inc.‘s new 400SS Series thermal, screw spline, aluminum-framed curtainwall features a thermally broken system to meet today’ commercial building codes and performance criteria. In addition to delivering high thermal performance (U-Factors) and condensation resistance, the new system is engineered for glazing in either the shop or in the field for installing on low- to mid-rise buildings.

“Based on the feedback we heard from glazing contractors and installers, we completely reinvented the screw spline curtainwall. Our new 400SS Thermal Curtainwall significantly reduces fabrication and installation labor costs to keep pace with fast-paced construction schedules, while supporting energy-efficient building goals,” said Mary Avery, Tubelite’s vice president of marketing.

“The expanded thermal break and thick gasketing of our 400SS Thermal Curtainwall helps buildings meet model energy codes and green building thermal performance guidelines including LEED® certification,” Avery continued. “This system can be pre-assembled, pre-sealed and pre-glazed under factory conditions, or stick-fabricated in the field. It is engineered to efficiently integrate with our operable windows, Therml=Block® entrances, MaxBlock® sun shades and aLuminate® light shelves for complete, convenient installation and dependable performance.”

Tubelite’s 400SS Series Thermal Curtainwall’s standard 2.5-inch-wide, aluminum-framed system is available in 6-, 7.5- and 10-inch depths and with an aluminum pressure plate. An optional polyamide pressure plate meets or exceeds stringent energy codes.

Successfully tested and simulated per National Fenestration Council (NFRC) procedures, the 400SS Series Thermal Curtainwall achieves a U-Factor of 0.38 for thermal transmittance using aluminum pressure plate and 0.31 using a polyamide pressure plate. It also meets the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 1503 standard, achieving a frame condensation resistance factor (CRFf) of 68 with the aluminum pressure plate and 77 with polyamide.

In addition, Tubelite’s 400SS Series Thermal Curtainwall has been tested to AAMA 501 standards, which includes 15 psf static and dynamic water, air infiltration and exfiltration, vertical and horizontal interstory movement, seismic, and thermal cycling from -20 degrees F to +180 degrees F.

To meet this industry-leading performance, Tubelite’s thermally broken system uses a continuous 0.25-inch ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM) isolator. Silicone compatible glazing materials ensure long-lasting seals. An improved horizontal member allows for expansion/contraction clearances to minimize splice requirements.

Glass is positioned to the 400SS Thermal Curtainwall system’s exterior for enhanced resistance to rainwater. The 0.5-inch bite securely grips insulated glass or panels of 1-inch thickness. Infill thicknesses from 1/8 inch to 1-5/16 inches also can be accommodated.

Upon request, Tubelite can provide deep face covers, captured and structural silicone glazed (SSG) verticals and horizontals, steel reinforcing, and 90-degree inside and outside corners. Modified standard and custom sizes also can be specified. Tubelite has developed an optional top-of-slab anchoring system for project’s requiring greater adjustability, and removable interior covers at the head and sill members, for easier access to anchors.

The aluminum used to produce all of Tubelite’s framing systems, sun shades and light shelves can be extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition. The aluminum is finished in a choice of seven anodized finishes or 20 standard paint colors, or, upon request, blended and custom colors may be specified. Durable finishes reduce buildings’ maintenance costs and enhance long lifecycles.

Please visit the product page, to learn more about Tubelite’s high-performance 400SS Series Curtainwall design details, test reports, installation instruction and specific performance data. For an AIA-approved continuing education course on “Product Selection for Aluminum Fenestration” or other presentations, please email dependable@tubeliteinc.com or call 800-866-2227.

_{About Tubelite Inc.}

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