You Down with VIG: A Vacuum-Insulated Glazing Primer

This presentation initially took place at IIBEC's 2022 International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.

Vacuum-insulated glazing (VIG) is an emerging technology that has been in commercial development for the past 20 to 30 years The concept was first described in a German patent application in 1913 and was more seriously studied, with the production of real units, in the 1980s. While some VIG technology has been commercially available since 1996, its presence in the United States architectural market has been minimal. The presentation includes a brief history of VIG technology, describes the typical makeup of VIG and hybrid VIG units, addresses the thermal performance of available products, and discusses considerations for evaluating various products available in the market. The presentation also offers two recent projects as case studies.

Sarah Sinusas, PE
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. | New Haven, CT

Sarah Sinusas is a senior associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. (WJE) in New Haven, Conn. She has specialized in building envelope systems since beginning her career in 2008. Her primary focus is the evaluation and investigation of curtainwall and window assemblies, and she has participated in and led projects that include design, detailing, testing, and monitoring of a variety of cladding and glazing systems. Sinusas led WJE’s assessment of vacuum-insulated glass for the case studies in this presentation.

Joseph M. Bukovec, RRO, PE
Walker Consultants | New Haven, CT

Joseph M. Bukovec is the director of building envelope, forensics, and restoration for Walker Consultants in New Haven, Conn. He has specialized in historic preservation and building enclosure systems since beginning his career in 2005. His primary focus is the investigation and repair design of historic facades, windows, roofing, and waterproofing systems. He has consulted on projects that include the investigation, testing, repair design, and construction administration for architecturally significant facades and roofs. With his previous firm, Bukovec was the project manager for one of the case studies in this presentation, which included the replacement of historic wood-framed windows with state-of-the-art hybrid vacuum-insulated glazing units in thermally broken aluminum frames.