Ribbon Window Framing
Ribbon Window Framing
(OP)
I am currently working on a project that is a 2 story office building. The exterior wall will be a metal panel system with a ribbon window at each floor. Column spacing is 24'-8".
My question is, what is the most practical way to frame the wall to support the window and cladding for lateral and gravity loads? My initial thinking was steel channel framing braced back to the structure at the floor and roof level and a HSS spanning from column to column below the window on the first floor.
I have attached a preliminary section for help.
Thanks in advance.
My question is, what is the most practical way to frame the wall to support the window and cladding for lateral and gravity loads? My initial thinking was steel channel framing braced back to the structure at the floor and roof level and a HSS spanning from column to column below the window on the first floor.
I have attached a preliminary section for help.
Thanks in advance.






RE: Ribbon Window Framing
Keep in mind that your WF floor beam along the deck edge has very little torsional stiffness so you also would need to supply diagonal kickers from the WF bottom flange up to the underside of the deck to prevent beam twist.
If the light gage studs can't perform (in your case the distances are small so probably no problem), then you could add vertical steel channels or angles spaced between studs (perhaps every other or every third/fourth stud) to take the loads into the floor.
RE: Ribbon Window Framing
Watch the connection between the steel studs and the curtain wall...that can be an issue if you have high wind loads.
RE: Ribbon Window Framing
RE: Ribbon Window Framing
RE: Ribbon Window Framing
Hopefully, you are a member and can download it for free!