Structural Glazing Tapes: Foam Adhesives for Construction Applications

Structural glazing tapes are expected to exhibit multiple features. If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t be earmarked for fragile glass pane applications. The foam adhesive might cancel the wind tunnel effect in an air conditioning duct, but it would be of no use to a glazer. No, glazing tapes counter high winds and leakage currents. Viscoelastic and foamy, the material layers are optimally designed to suit tough construction applications.

Earmarked For Challenging Construction Applications

Structural glazing tapes perform as multi-faceted sealing solutions. On the glass side, the viscous adhesive grips the slick surfaces of a flat glass pane. Conforming to this hard-to-glue surface, the weatherproof material holds firm, no matter the climate. Ultraviolet rays can’t weaken the bond, nor cans a dry wind or a soaking wet shower. What if a layer of ice contracts the adhesive bond or the tape backing? No worries, structural glazing tapes are designed to shrug off the effects of the elements, even when those exterior forces strike with storm force power. Down inside the sill framing, a similar degree of sealing coherence is made manifest by the foam adhesive layer.

A Best of Both Worlds Foam Adhesive

Sealing glass panes against the elements, the first half of a structural glazing tape’s duties are implemented. The job’s not finished just yet, though. The foamy lining also has to perform as a sort of spacer material. It fills the sill frame and compresses while exhibiting its viscoelastic elongation properties. And, because a window frame doesn’t have to be made of metal or painted wood, the foam-based adhesive running along the surface of a roll of glazing tape must be bond-flexible. Metal window frames or wood, vinyl or exotic composite, the sill must adhere to the construction medium. That feature also applies to the underlying structural wall. If the edges surrounding a window frame are made of masonry bricks or concrete, the structural glazing tape better should bond to those coarser structural mediums, too.

Few adhesive rolls can boast as many multipurpose bonding characteristics. On the one hand, the foam adhesive seals fine glass surfaces and prevents wind or water leaks. It also rejects the impact of UV rays and temperature-based expansion/contraction effects. Inside, the foamy bonding agent acts as a compressible spacer. It’ll conform to the unique shape of different sill profiles and framing outlines. Finally, while never forgetting the tape backing is first and foremost a construction tool, flexible glazing tapes cure against coarser building surfaces. Fine painted woods bond coarse masonry bricks. On another project, super-fine glass panes adhere to vinyl casements, which in turn bond to rough-edged concrete surfaces and weatherproof outside linings.