In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.

A building component includes an insulated glass unit including a first glass pane and a second glass pane defining a pocket therebetween, and a frame supporting the insulated glass unit. A central plane extends through the pocket and is spaced equal distances from the first glass pane and the second glass pane. The building component further includes an insulating material in the middle portion of the frame. The insulating material defines a continuous frame thermal break circumscribing the insulated glass unit and extending through the frame. The central plane extends through a center of the frame thermal break and forms a common central plane of the building component with substantially equal portions of the frame thermal break extending on each side of the common central plane when the building component is in a closed position.

An insulation system including a first retention member having a first channel, a second retention member having a second channel, and a thermal bridge. The thermal bridge includes a first finger and a second finger. The first finger is received into the first channel and the second finger is received into the second channel. The system further includes a first locking tab associated with the first channel for securing the first finger and a second locking tab associated with the second channel for securing the second finger. The thermal bridge substantially reduces conductive heat transfer between the first retention member and the second retention member.

An insulation system including a first retention member having a first channel, a second retention member having a second channel, and a thermal bridge. The thermal bridge includes a first finger and a second finger. The first finger is received into the first channel and the second finger is received into the second channel. The system further includes a first locking tab associated with the first channel for securing the first finger and a second locking tab associated with the second channel for securing the second finger. The thermal bridge substantially reduces conductive heat transfer between the first retention member and the second retention member.

Extruded plastic profiles with integrated insulation, the method for extruding such products, and the windows and doors made with such plastic extrusions. The plastic extrusions may additionally include a low heat build-up capstock system comprising an acrylic cap and pigment system that is substantially IR transparent. The extruded plastic profiles with integrated insulation are recyclable using conventional plastic extrusion process and are fully weldable in conventional window and door manufacturing.

An apparatus, method and manufacture utilizes additive manufacturing techniques to produce architectural manufactures such as windows and doors. The manufactures may have a composite construction and may feature inclusions like metal plates and reinforcements. The model used for controlling the manufacturing process may be derived from digital scanning of the structure on which the manufacture is used. Optionally, a finite element analysis is used to test the model and alter it in response to stress and/or thermal requirements.

A bead for releasably securing a glazing unit to a frame member, comprising a body having a first end and a second end, and a resiliently deformable member secured to the body and having a first finger extending from the body to a first end, and a second finger extending from the first finger to a second end. The first end of the body and the first end of the first finger are configured to engage with respective first and second ends of a frame member so as to secure the bead to the frame member. The second end of the body is configured to secure a glazing unit against an opposed seal of the frame member. The body comprises a first material having a first stiffness and the deformable member comprises a second material having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness.

A frame may comprise three or more portions comprising an upper portion disposed adjacent an upper end of an opening and two side portions disposed along either edge of the opening, and in some cases a lower portion adjacent a lower end of an opening. A first frame segment and the second frame segment are adjustable with respect to each other in order to extend around the thickness of the opening. A third segment, such as a soffit segment may be utilized to cover at least a portion of the segments. The first frame segment, the second frame segment, and/or the soffit segment may have one or more barriers located between portions of the segments. The first frame segment may be adjusted with respect to the second frame segment, and the adjustment may be made before or after activation of the one or more barriers.

A faade system includes a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions, a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, and a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket. The collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.

A frame may comprise three or more portions comprising an upper portion disposed adjacent an upper end of an opening and two side portions disposed along either edge of the opening, and in some cases a lower portion adjacent a lower end of an opening. A first frame segment and the second frame segment are adjustable with respect to each other in order to extend around the thickness of the opening. A third segment, such as a soffit segment may be utilized to cover at least a portion of the segments. The first frame segment, the second frame segment, and/or the soffit segment may have one or more barriers located between portions of the segments. The first frame segment may be adjusted with respect to the second frame segment, and the adjustment may be made before or after activation of the one or more barriers.