FABRICATION FEATURE STORY
Another project that utilized a dual surface silk-screen
pattern is the Hamilton Farmer’s Market Renovation in
Hamilton, Ontario. A white line pattern was used on both
the second and third surface. ;e lines varied in thickness from ¼ inch up to ¾ inch. In addition, the spacing
was varied to create a random pattern across the façade.
One of the keys to these projects—and to most suc-
cessful dual surface silk-screen projects—is the random
pattern. When designing with dual patterns, random is
better than repetitive. If designers are thinking about how
the design is going to “line up” between the two panes, it is
likely not the right design to be using on two surfaces. ;e
silk-screen manufacturing process does not allow for exact
alignment. If the pattern is o; even ;; inch it will no lon-
ger line up, the intended appearance will not be achieved
and the potential to see a moiré pattern will be significant.
Photo credit: Ferguson Neudorf Glass Inc.
The bottom line
Even with high-performance coatings, the transparent appearance preferred by architects today often does not meet performance required by codes or requested by building owners. ;e
addition of a silk-screen pattern has become a common method
to significantly improve performance while adding interesting aesthetics. Many architects want to take silk-screening to
the next level by using the patterns on two surfaces of a glass
configuration. While this concept provides a multitude of additional design options, caution must be exercised to make sure
the design does not cause unintended visual shortcomings.
The author is an architectural design associate, Viracon, Owatonna, Minn.
Write her at aschmidt@viracon.com.
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market, Hamilton, Ontario, incorporates white
lines in varying thicknesses on the second and third surfaces.
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