Patent Publication Number: US-2022228425-A1

Title: Structural, glass-aluminum facade component

Description:
This application claims priority to and benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102021000000911, filed on Jan. 20, 2021 to Gargiulo et al., which is fully incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The present invention relates to a structural, glass-aluminum façade component and to a structural glass-aluminum façade for buildings. 
     Aluminum and glass façades, and continuous structural façades in particular, are taking an increasingly significant role in all areas of construction. The continuous glass-aluminum façade is a multifunctional filter between the exterior and interior of the building and plays a key role in the economics of energy performance, comfort, and safety. 
     Known aluminum and glass façades comprise so-called cell modules consisting of a glass window, a secondary frame (or movable frame), and a primary frame (fixed frame), in which the glass window is glued to the secondary frame and the secondary frame is screwed to the main frame. Cell modules are manufactured and pre-assembled in several steps which are carried out at both the premises of the window manufacturer and the glassworks. 
       FIG. 23  shows the procedure for providing cell modules of known glass and aluminum façades. The window manufacturer preassembles the secondary profile and sends it to the glassworks. Once the glass window has been made, the glassworks glues it to the secondary profile by means of structural silicone (this is a delicate operation that can only be performed at the glassworks) and sends the glass window and secondary frame assembly to the window manufacturer, who completes the cell module by assembling the secondary frame to the main frame by screwing. The completed cell module is then transported to the construction site for final mounting to the building. 
     This manufacturing process is undesirably complex, expensive, and time-consuming. 
     Moreover, cell modules of known glass and aluminum façades are difficult to disassemble in case of repair (replacement of damaged glass windows and/or secondary frames) and in case of façade dismantling and separation of the various materials for recycling them. 
     A further disadvantage of known glass and aluminum façades is the low structural resistance (for example, against deformations) of the gluing by means of structural silicone as compared to the individual resistance of the glass window and therefore the poor utilization of the load-bearing potential of a composite glass and aluminum structure. 
     Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved glass and aluminum façade component, as well as a method for the manufacturing thereof, having such features as to obviate at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     It is a particular object of the invention to reduce the times, costs, and complexity of the steps of manufacturing and assembling the cell modules of the glass and aluminum façade. It is a further particular object of the invention to provide a glass and aluminum façade which is easier to disassemble in case of repair (replacement of damaged glass windows and/or secondary frames) and in case of dismantling and separation of aluminum and glass for recycling them. It is still a further object of the invention to provide components for glass and aluminum façades which are more rigid and better utilize the load-bearing potential of a composite glass and aluminum structure. 
     These and other objects are achieved by a façade component according to claim  1  and by a manufacturing method according to claim  12 . The dependent claims relate to advantageous and preferred embodiments. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a façade component comprises a glass window and a secondary frame connected to the glass window by means of a plurality of connectors, in which:
         the glass window comprises a multilayer panel with a first (inner) glass layer consisting of at least two glass sheets adjacent and glued to each other, a second (outer) glass layer consisting of at least one glass sheet which is separated and spaced apart from the first layer by a sealing spacer extending along the whole periphery of the multilayer panel, and a gap delimited between the first glass layer and the second glass layer and the sealing spacer,   the secondary frame comprises a plurality of secondary elongated profiles having a cross section shape which is substantially constant along a longitudinal extension thereof and forming:
 
an engagement surface facing the glass window,
 
a connection portion, opposite to the engagement surface, for connecting the secondary frame to a primary frame of the façade,
 
a first gasket seat formed in the engagement surface and accommodating a first gasket extending along the whole secondary profile and interposed in direct contact between the engagement surface and the glass window,
 
an engagement seat forming a plurality of engagement holes leading to the engagement surface and each receiving an engagement portion of one of the connectors, respectively,
   the connectors each comprise an expansion portion anchored in an expansion hole in the first glass layer, a pin connected to the expansion portion and forming the engagement portion, as well as a releasable tightening member which engages the engagement portion of the connector and the engagement seat of the secondary frame and tightens the glass window against the secondary frame,       

     in which the expansion hole and the expansion portion extend through the first glass sheet bordering with the secondary frame and into the second glass sheet adjacent to the first glass sheet on a side opposite to the secondary frame, 
     in which the expansion hole  25  and the expansion portion  24  have at least one local widening which creates an anti-removal shape coupling between the connector and the first glass layer. 
     The cell modules of the glass and aluminum façades may be manufactured and assembled in a more convenient manner by virtue of the connection of the secondary frame to the glass window by means of releasable expansion and tightening connectors. 
     The multilayer glass panels are made at the glassworks and the mechanical expansion connectors are applied to the first glass layer thereof. The prefabricated glass window and expansion connectors assembly is sent from the glassworks to the window manufacturer which fastens it, with a simple tightening operation at the factory, to the new secondary frame, and screws the primary frame to the connection portion of the secondary frame. The cell module thus obtained may be directly sent to the construction site, as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     This eliminates the transport of the secondary frame from the window manufacturer to the glassworks, thus resulting in a decrease in the transport costs and times. 
     The suggested façade component further allows the simultaneous production of the aluminum elements and the glass elements and therefore a decrease in the times for creating the cell module, as well as the possibility of ordering the glass windows before manufacturing the aluminum frame. 
     The suggested façade component completely eliminates the need to use structural silicone to fasten the glass to the secondary frame, with subsequent decrease in the processing times, dismantling costs, use of expensive machinery, and operator training and safety. 
     Glass and aluminum façades obtained using the suggested façade component are easier to disassemble in case of repair (replacement of damaged glass windows and/or secondary frames) and in case of dismantling and separation of aluminum and glass for recycling them. 
     The suggested façade component further better takes advantage of the load-bearing potential of a composite glass and aluminum structure because the expansion connectors (the number and size of which may be freely selected as needed) serve as cutting pins and are more rigid and resistant than the gluing using structural silicone of the prior art. 
    
    
     
       In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, a description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments will be provided below with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective rear view of two cell modules of a glass and aluminum façade according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of the two cell modules in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlargement of detail III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlargement of detail IV in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of detail III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a detail of façade components of the two cell modules in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a detail of a glass and aluminum façade with gluing by means of structural silicone and with no expansion connectors, according to an embodiment known to the inventors; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a border area between two cell modules of a glass and aluminum façade according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a border area between two cell modules of a glass and aluminum façade according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a detail of a façade made with façade components according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is an exploded view of a detail of the façade component in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a detail in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a sectional view of a detail in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a further detail in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a sectional view of a further detail in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of a multilayer glass window of a façade component according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a detail of the glass window in  FIG. 13 , and of an expansion connector applied thereto; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of a detail of a façade with façade components, glass windows, secondary frames and primary frames, according to an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19  are sectional views of gaskets of the glass and aluminum façade according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of detail XX in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the detail in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a rear view of the detail in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a diagrammatic illustration of a manufacturing and pre-assembly process of a cell module of a glass and aluminum façade of the prior art; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagrammatic illustration of a manufacturing and pre-assembly process of a cell module of a glass and aluminum façade according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     FAÇADE COMPONENT  1   
     A façade component  1  comprises a glass window  2  and a secondary frame  3  connected to the glass window  2  by means of a plurality of connectors  4 , in which:
         the glass window  2  comprises a multilayer panel  5  with a first (inner) glass layer  6  consisting of at least a first glass sheet  7  and a second glass sheet  8  adjacent and glued to each other, over the whole surface, a second (outer) glass layer  9  consisting of at least one glass sheet which is separated and spaced apart from the first glass layer  6  by a sealing spacer  10  extending along the whole periphery  11  of the multilayer panel  5 , and a gap  12  delimited between the first glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  and the sealing spacer  10 ,   the secondary frame  3  comprises a plurality of elongated secondary extruded aluminum profiles  13  having a cross section shape which is substantially constant along a longitudinal extension thereof and forming:
 
an engagement surface  15  facing the glass window  2 ,
 
a connection portion  16 , opposite to the engagement surface  15 , for connecting the secondary frame  3  to a primary frame  17  of the façade,
 
a first gasket seat  18  formed in the engagement surface  15  and accommodating a first gasket  19  extending along the whole secondary profile  13  and interposed in direct contact between the engagement surface  15  and the glass window  2 ,
 
an engagement seat  20  forming a plurality of engagement holes  21  leading into the engagement surface  15  and each receiving an engagement portion  22  of one of the connectors  4 , respectively,
   the connectors  4  each comprise an expansion portion  24  anchored in an expansion hole  25  in the first glass layer  6 , a pin  23  connected to the expansion portion  24  and forming the engagement portion  22 , as well as a releasable tightening member  27  which engages the engagement portion  22  of connector  4  and the engagement seat  20  of the secondary frame  3  and tightens the glass window  2  against the secondary frame  3 ,       

     in which the expansion hole  25  and the expansion portion  24  extend through the first glass sheet  7  bordering with the secondary frame  3  and into the second glass sheet  8  adjacent to the first glass sheet  7  on a side opposite to the secondary frame  3 , 
     in which the expansion hole  25  and the expansion portion  24  have at least one local widening  26  so as to create an anti-extraction shape coupling between connector  4  and the first glass layer  6 . 
     Secondary Frame  3   
     According to an embodiment, the secondary profiles  13  of the secondary frame  3  are substantially rectilinear metal, preferably aluminum, preferably extruded, profiles connected to each other at the ends thereof to form a rectangular frame ( FIGS. 1, 10, 10A ) preferably extending at least also along the periphery, which is also rectangular, of the multilayer panel  5  of the glass window  2 . 
     According to an embodiment ( FIGS. 6, 8, 9 ), the first gasket seat  18  forms a first fastening channel  28  open towards the glass window  2  and delimited by two side walls  29 ,  29 ′ forming two opposite undercuts  30 , as well as a planar sealing surface  31  extending laterally along the first fastening channel  28 . 
     The first gasket  19  has an elongated shape with constant cross section along a longitudinal extension thereof and forms a plate-like sealing portion  32  with a profile sealing surface  34  and a glass window sealing surface  34 ′, which are preferably planar, opposite, and parallel to each other, and with a fastening portion  33  protruding from the profile sealing surface  34  and having a mushroom-shaped section with two opposite fastening teeth (or edges)  35 . The fastening portion  33  is inserted into the first fastening channel  28  with anti-removal engagement of the fastening teeth  35  in the undercuts  30  and the profile sealing surface  34  adheres in contact against the sealing surface  31  and the glass window sealing surface  34 ′ adheres in contact against the glass window  2 . 
     The first gasket  19  is applicable/removable to/from the first gasket seat  18  in a snapping manner or through longitudinal insertion/removal. 
     This simplifies the interposition of the first gasket  19  between the glass window  2  and the secondary frame  3 , ensures the airtight sealing between the three components and facilitates the disassembly thereof and the selective replacement or selective repair thereof. 
     According to an embodiment, the engagement surface  15  forms a tightening surface  44  at the engagement holes  21  adapted to be engaged by a tightening flange  46  or tightening washer (for example, a nut or a single-layer or multilayer annular disc) located about the pin  23  of connector  4  and tightened between the glass window  2  and the engagement surface  15 , in which said tightening surface  44  is parallel to the planar sealing surface  30  but offset with respect thereto, for example by means of a step  45 , to compensate for a difference in thickness between the first gasket  19  and the tightening flange  46  or tightening washer. 
     The tightening flange  46  may, for example be a single-layer or multilayer annular body made of plastic material and/or metal, for example steel, for example with a first layer made of polyamide adjacent to the glass and a second metal layer made of (for example, a steel nut) on the opposite side of the glass, which is particularly adapted to a compression tightening which mechanically is more resistant than the elastomeric material of the first gasket  19  and less fragile or susceptible to scratches than the glass surface of the glass window  2 . 
     This allows optimizing the first gasket  19  for the sole sealing function, the glass for the sole barrier function between the external and internal environment, and the tightening flange  46  as pure tightening interface, without the sealing function. 
     According to an embodiment, the engagement seat  20  forms an engagement channel  36  open towards a side opposite to the engagement surface  15  and delimited by two side walls  37 ,  37 ′ and a bottom wall  38  in which the engagement holes  21  are formed. This allows an easy access to the engagement portions  22  of the connectors  4  when the connectors  4  are inserted, tightened, and possibly released and disengaged. 
     The engagement channel  36  is closeable and openable by a cap or closing plate  39  to protect the connectors  4  from tampering, pollutants and to improve the appearance of the façade component  1 . 
     Advantageously, an outer wall  37  of the side walls  37 ,  37 ′ of the engagement channel  36  forms an outer wall of the secondary profile  13  so that the engagement channel  36 , closed by the closing plate  39 , creates a closed heat-insulating cell bordering with an internal room of the building. 
     The closing plate  39  may be made of plastic material or aluminum and may comprise a closing wall  40  from which two stop walls or tabs  41  protrude, engaging corresponding stop profiles  42  formed by the side walls  37 ,  37 ′. The closing plate  39  is applicable/removable to/from the engagement channel  36  in an elastically snapping manner or through longitudinal insertion/removal. 
     The secondary profile  13  further delimits at least a first closed lightening and heat-insulating cavity  43  (with the exception of the ends of the secondary profile  13 , which however are advantageously connected to each other so as not to expose the cross section of the secondary profile  13  to the outside). 
     Advantageously, an inner wall  37 ′ of the side walls  37 ,  37 ′ of the engagement channel  36  directly borders on the first closed cavity  43  so as to create a multi-cell structure which increases the heat-insulating capacity of the secondary frame  3 . 
     The secondary profile  13  forms a second closed cavity  47  (with the exception of the ends of the secondary profile  13 , which however are advantageously connected to each other so as not to expose the cross section of the secondary profile  13  to the outside) interposed between the first closed cavity  43  and a wall forming the sealing surface  31 . The second closed cavity  47  serves the function of seat for a square for hammering and/or joining by means of a plug between two abutting secondary profiles  13  connected to each other. 
     The secondary profile  13  forms a second gasket seat  48  spaced apart from the first gasket seat  18  towards a side opposite to the engagement seat  20  and preferably facing a direction parallel to surface  49  of the glass window  2 . 
     The second gasket seat  48  accommodates a second gasket  50  or sealing structure for covering or closing or sealing a peripheral area  51  (extending along periphery  11 ) of the façade component  1  or of façade  52  at such peripheral areas  51  ( FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 ). 
     According to an embodiment ( FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 ), the second gasket seat  48  forms a second fastening channel  52  open in direction parallel to the glass window surface  49  and delimited by two side walls  53 ,  53 ′ forming two opposite undercuts  54 . 
     The second gasket  50  has an elongated shape with constant cross section along a longitudinal extension thereof and forms:
         a substantially planar covering portion  55  which covers the peripheral area  51  of the glass window  2  from the outside,   a fastening portion  56  transversely protruding from the covering portion  55  and having a mushroom-shaped section with two opposite fastening teeth (or edges)  57 . The fastening portion  56  is inserted in the second fastening channel  52  with anti-removal engagement of the fastening teeth  57  in the undercuts  54 .       

     For the covering or closing or sealing of façade areas where two façade components  1  oriented on a same plane meet, the second gasket  50  may further form a plurality of sealing lips  58  transversely protruding from the covering portion  55 , away from the glass window  2  thereof and towards the glass window  2  of the adjacent façade component  1  ( FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 ). 
     The second gasket  50  is applicable/removable to/from the second gasket seat  48  in a snapping manner or through longitudinal insertion/removal. 
     The secondary profile  13  further forms one or more third gasket seats  59  spaced apart from the first gasket seat  18  and from the second gasket seat  48  and facing in a direction which is opposite or transverse to the first gasket seat  18 . 
     Each third gasket seat  59  accommodates a third gasket  60  for sealing the secondary frame  3  with respect to the primary frame  17  ( FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15 ). 
     The third gasket  60  is applicable/removable to/from the third gasket seat  59  in a snapping manner or through longitudinal insertion/removal. 
     The connection portion  16  may comprise a plate or a box-like structure protruding towards a side opposite to the engagement surface  15  and forming a plurality of holes for connecting the secondary frame  3  to the primary frame  17  by means of screws  61  ( FIG. 15 ). 
     Glass Window  2   
     According to an embodiment, the glass window  2  is planar and preferably rectangular or polygonal with rectilinear peripheral edges in order to facilitate a modular construction of the façade. 
     The first glass layer  6  is tempered to allow the installation of connectors  4 . The first glass sheet  7  and the second glass sheet  8  are glued to each other over the whole interface area by lamination with an interposed polymer layer  63 , preferably made of PVB (polyvinyl butyral), preferably having a thickness equal to or greater than  1 . 52  mm. The lamination provides the first glass layer  6  with shatter-resistant safety features. Indeed, in case of impact, the interposed polymer layer  63  holds the glass fragments and ensures a residual mechanical resistance of the damaged first glass layer  6 . 
     The polyvinyl butyral (PVB), placed between the first glass sheet  7  and the second glass sheet  8 , which are pressed in an autoclave at a temperature of 250° C., has a resistance in the order of 20 MPa and an elongation at break of about 40%, does not damage the transparency of the first glass layer  6  and improves the heat-insulating and soundproofing properties thereof. 
     The second glass layer  9  comprises a third glass sheet  62  made of float glass, intended to be exposed to the external environment of the building. 
     Gap  12  may be filled with inert gas, for example argon or krypton, to increase the energy and isolation performance of the glass window  2 . The thickness of gap  12  preferably is greater than the thickness of the first glass layer  6  or of the second glass layer  9 . 
     The sealing spacer  10  may comprise:
         a dehydrating molecular sieve  64 ,   a primary sealant  65  (preferably a butyl sealant) serving the function of anti-water vapor barrier and temporary adhesive (during the assembly step),   a secondary sealant  66  (preferably polysulphide, polyurethane or silicone) serving the function of permanent adhesive and permanent transmitter of mechanical stresses, to protect the primary sealant  65  from mechanical stresses and excessive deformations, thus ensuring the main function of anti-water vapor barrier thereof, and   optionally, a reinforcement spacer profile  67 , for example made of aluminum,       

     all continuously extending along the whole periphery  11  of the glass window  2 . 
     Glass Connectors  4   
     According to an embodiment, the expansion portion  24  comprises a hollow metal body  69  with a portion  70  which is conical shape or stepped-conical in shape, and possibly a tubular portion  71 , and a plurality of longitudinal grooves  72  which allow a radial expansion of the hollow metal body  69 . The expansion portion further comprises one or more polymer sheaths  73  which encompass the hollow metal body  69  to avoid tension peaks in the expansion hole  25 . 
     Pin  23  is inserted or screwed into the expansion portion  24  and forms an expansion end which may be positioned in or screwed into the hollow metal body  69  for a radial expansion thereof through axial displacement of pin  23  with respect to the hollow metal body  69 . 
     The engagement portion of pin  23  preferably forms a thread and the releasable tightening member  27  preferably comprises a nut screwed onto the thread of the engagement portion  22 . 
     The expansion hole  25  forms a through hole through the first glass sheet  7  and the polymer layer  63 , but only a blind hole (not a through hole) in the second glass sheet  8 , in which the blind hole in the second glass sheet  8  forms the aforesaid local widening  26  in the form of a conical groove at which the conical portion  70  of the hollow metal body  69  is located. 
     The connectors  4  further comprise the tightening flange  46  or tightening washer located about pin  23  and consisting of an annular polymer disc  76  (glass side) preferably formed in one piece with the polymer sheath  73 , and a steel disc or nut  77  ( FIG. 14 ). 
     The connectors  4  further comprise an injection channel  74 , preferably formed in the tightening flange  46  and/or in the polymer sheath  73 , for injecting polymer resin into the expansion portion  24 . 
     Cell Module  74  and Façade  75   
     The primary frame  17  consists of elongated metal profiles, preferably extruded aluminum profiles, preferably connected together at the ends thereof to form a planar rectangular or polygonal frame having a shape which is compatible with the shape of the secondary frame  3 . The primary frame  17  is connected, preferably screwed, to the secondary frame  3 , and the one or more third gaskets  60  may be interposed therebetween. 
     The assembly of the glass window  2 , secondary frame  3  and primary frame  17  forms a pre-assembled cell module  74  for obtaining a façade  75  ( FIGS. 1, 2, 10, 10A ). 
     The cell modules  74  are fastened to the building by means of adjustable fastening brackets  78  connected to the secondary frame  17  ( FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22 ). 
     Manufacturing method 
     According to an embodiment, the façade component  1 , the cell module  74  and façade  75  are made by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of: 
     A) mechanically processing the glass sheets of the first glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  (in particular, cutting and finishing by grinding the corners and surfaces of the sheets to increase the resistance against breakage and the transparency and shine of the surfaces), including making expansion holes  25  in the first  7  and second  8  glass sheets for the first glass layer  6  (the holes of the two glass sheets  7 ,  8  are to be perfectly aligned, tapered and trimmed with the preferably conical local widening  26 ); 
     B) thermally treating, including thermal tempering, the single glass sheets of the first glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  following the mechanical processing step A) (the thermal tempering gives the glass sheets increased mechanical and thermal resistance); 
     C) laminating the first glass layer  6  by gluing the first  7  and second  8  glass sheets by means of the adhesive polymer layer  63  interposed therebetween, preferably by means of the steps of: 
     C1) stratifying the first glass layer  6  by interposing a polymer sheet with adhesive properties in direct contact between the first glass sheet  7  and the second glass sheet  8  (the polymer sheets, for example made of polyvinyl butyral, PVB, are stored in a climate chamber at a controlled temperature and relative humidity, preferably at a temperature between 18° C. and 22° C., advantageously 20° C., and a relative humidity of the air between 25% and 31%, advantageously 28%). The stratifying step C1) may be advantageously preceded by a step of cleaning the glass sheets with demineralized water, and then drying; 
     C2) heating the first stratified, but not yet glued, glass layer  6  to de-aerate the interface area between the first glass sheet  7  and the second glass sheet  8 ; 
     C3) activating the adhesive properties of the polymer sheet to form the adhesive polymer layer  63 , for example by means of an activation agent, for example containing manganese; 
     C4) pressure and temperature treating the first stratified glass layer  6  glued in the autoclave, for example by means of a sequence of pressurization (at about 20 MPa), heating (at about 250° C.), maintaining temperature and pressure, cooling, depressurization; 
     D) assembling the first laminated glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  to form the glass window  2  by distancing and connecting the first glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  and making the sealing spacer  10  (which also serves the function of connection) between the first glass layer  6  and the second glass layer  9  along the periphery  11  of the glass window  2 , in particular by positioning the dehydrating molecular sieve  64 , primary sealant  65 , secondary sealant  66  and optionally the reinforcement spacer profile  67 ; 
     E) once the glass window  2  has been assembled, inserting and expanding the expansion portion  24  of the connectors  4  into the expansion holes  25  of the first glass layer  6  and optionally injecting an additional polymer filler  68  into the expansion portion  24  and/or into the expansion hole  25 ; 
     F) connecting the secondary frame  3  to the glass window  2  by connecting the engagement portion  22  of the connectors  4  in the engagement seat  20  of the secondary profiles  13  to form the façade component  1 ; 
     G) connecting the primary frame  17  to the secondary frame  3  of the façade component  1 , for example by means of connecting screws  61 , to form the cell module  74  of the façade; 
     H) connecting the cell modules  74  to a building to obtain the façade  75 . 
     Obviously, not all the steps of the method are to be carried out necessarily together; some steps may be omitted and sub-groups of steps of the method will be sufficient to obtain pre-assembled, semi-finished or intermediate (for example, the façade component  1 , the cell module  74 ) products in the chain for manufacturing a structural façade made of metal or aluminum and glass. 
     According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention:
         steps A), B), C), D) and E) are performed at a glassworks, without any involvement of the secondary frames  2 ,   the glass windows  2  provided with the connectors  4  are sent by the glassworks, for example by truck, to a window manufacturer or metal carpentry workshop far from the glassworks,   steps F) and G) are performed by the window manufacturer or metal carpentry workshop without sending the secondary frames  3  from the window manufacturer or metal carpentry workshop to the glassworks,   the cell modules  74  are sent by the window manufacturer or metal carpentry workshop, for example by truck, to the construction site.       

     Therefore, the expensive steps of transporting the secondary frames  3  between the window manufacturer and the glassworks and undesired interruptions in the manufacturing procedures, measures for the coordination and intermediate storage of the semi-assembled products are obviated as compared to the prior art.