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The one detail that keeps tripping up new guys on storefront installs
I keep seeing people ignore the expansion joint gaps on aluminum storefront frames, especially on jobs over 20 feet. Had a crew last Wednesday in Austin that shimmed every joint tight and we had to redo three sections when the sun hit that south face an hour later. Anyone else have to deal with this on your curtainwall jobs?
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jesse2903d ago
Had a similar issue on a 30 foot storefront in Phoenix last July. We left 3/16 gaps at every million but the caulking guy filled them flush with backer rod and silicone before the frame could expand. The whole thing buckled at the transom. You ever figure out a good way to police the sealant guys to keep them from overstuffing those joints?
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Caulking guys are like raccoons, man. You leave them alone with a tube of silicone and they will fill every crack they see whether it needs it or not. I started marking the gaps with a sharpie and a little note that says "Leave this open, moron" right on the frame. Still had one guy caulk right over my note. Took a picture of it and sent it to the GC with the caption "This is why we can't have nice things." Best thing I found is to staple a piece of cardboard over the joint openings with a big red X on it. Makes them think twice before shoving backer rod where it dont belong.
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