Project Details

SentryGlas Low-E Plus

The Miami Federal Courthouse is one of the largest federal courthouses in the United States. Due to Miami's stringent hurricane codes and the security standards set forth by the government (GSA) this project was designed for both hurricane-resistance and blast mitigation. With the more stringent requirement being the hurricane test protocol, Viracon worked with the glazing contractor to test the laminated glass and custom structural framing system at the test laboratory. This proved challenging in that it was one of the first projects to be subjected to the test protocol with a structural curtain wall system, but in the end with the use of Viracon's insulating SentryGlas Plus laminated product it was successful. In 2005, hurricane Wilma hit southern Florida where this building was put to the true test and it performed exactly as designed...without a single glass failure! The laminated glass protected the building envelope by staying intact and within the framing system. In addition to the protection achieved, by incorporating insulating and a Solarscreen™ low-E coating the glass offers thermal performance advantages as well.