Today we will talk about the façade systems with translucent materials that allow light to pass through in an indirect and sieved manner. Enough light to illuminate the interior during the day, avoiding the view from the outside. At night, if the interior is illuminated with artificial light, the translucency of the material allows it to be visible from the outside, creating an attractive view of the enclosure. These Systems allow the construction to be carried out dry, assembling the different pieces that make up the façade framed by a simple perimeter frame. Among the materials we find on the market, in this article we will focus on Cellular polycarbonate panel systems And the “U” section glass systems. Description/IRPEN AK10 Cellular polycarbonate panel systems.This system is composed of cellular polycarbonate panels with male and female joints and a sealing tab that allows dry joints. The panels contain up to 13 intermediate chambers, 500 mm wide and long to measure. They offer good thermal and acoustic insulation, weather resistance and UV protection. They are self-extinguishable. Its light transmission ranges from 20 to 65%, depending on the type and color of the panel. Possible finishes: Mono-color, the same color on both sides and Bi-color, colored interior and colorless exterior.“U” section glass systems.It is a system of translucent “U” shaped glass channels, high level of security, thermal and acoustic insulation; all this without losing the passage of natural light (approx. 81%) This material comes in various textures and varieties: unlaminated, laminated and tempered. Its watertightness, through flexible sealing between the plates, is often used in vertical outdoor enclosures and glass solution for the construction of partitions and enclosures, flat and with curved shapes.COMPARISON BETWEEN SYSTEMS (Cellular Polycarbonate/Glass)The substantial differences between these two materials are: weight, thermal transmission, manufacturing length, in the case of cellular polycarbonate panels, as a standard measure, they can reach up to 13 m and the width of the plates 500 mm. Polycarbonate panels need an additional support structure, which depends on the load compared to exposure to wind. On the other hand, glass systems can reach up to 6000 mm (maximum manufacturing length) without additional support structure; depending on the variety: armed or unarmed. In the attached table we can see the physical properties, as well as the technical ones and we can see their differences and similarities:Physical properties

Technical properties

STRUCTURESIRPEN AK10 Cellular polycarbonate panel systems.

“U” section glass.

Images of works made with IRPEN Cellular Polycarbonate Panels