Facade Glass Replacement: Safe and Fast Solution for High-Rise Buildings
Your building's exterior has a large glass panel. It cracked. Or it's darkened over the years and looks terrible aesthetically. Or it was damaged in a storm. Reaching that glass from the ground floor isn't easy because it's on the 8th, 10th, or 15th floor. What do you do? In this article, we explain the facade glass replacement process in high-rise buildings from scratch.
What is Facade Glass?
Facade glass refers to large glass panels on the exterior surface of buildings, used for both aesthetic and functional purposes. The nearly all-glass exteriors of office buildings are glass facade systems. In residential projects, large glass sections, entrance panels, shop fronts, or wide window systems in commercial buildings all fall under the category of facade glass. These panels are heavy, large, and far from ground level — making their replacement a very different and technical process compared to replacing a regular window.
The Replacement Process Step by Step
1. Access Method Is Determined
A scaffolding may be erected for some buildings. For others, a crane is positioned outside. The most common method is using a "spider" or "man basket" crane — a metal basket that can carry 2–3 people and is lifted to the required height by a crane arm.
2. Removal of Damaged Glass
Old or broken glass is carefully removed from its position. For large panels, vacuum suction cups help lower the glass in a controlled manner. The surrounding area is barricaded and a safety perimeter is established to protect pedestrians and bystanders below.
3. Structural Silicone Application
In facade glass systems, glass is bonded to the frame with structural silicone — a specialized engineering silicone that provides a bond lasting decades. It's impermeable to air, water, and moisture, unaffected by UV rays, and doesn't lose its elasticity over time. Application involves surface cleaning, primer application, silicone injection, and smoothing. The glass must be held in place for the curing period (typically 24–48 hours).
4. Leak Test
After installation, a leak test is performed by spraying pressurized water along the glass edges to check for water ingress. This test must be carried out after every installation. If water ingress is detected, the silicone application is redone and the test repeated.
Contact Karadeniz Mimari
Karadeniz Mimari provides experienced service for facade glass replacement in both commercial buildings and residential projects. Regardless of height, we complete your project safely with the necessary safety equipment and crane service. Contact us for a free on-site assessment and the most suitable, cost-effective solution.
