Hurricane-zoned Houston Galleria's skylights successfully replaced by Super Sky, finished by Linetec

Super Sky Products provided two, vault skylights to help protect the property and its occupants in future storm events, while providing daylighting to enhance their retail experience.

The Galleria’s skylights are synonymous with its brand image. Owned by Simon Property Group, The Galleria is one of the nation’s largest shopping centers and one of the top tourist destinations in Houston with more than 24 million annual visitors. With two hotels, three office towers, 2.4 million square feet of retail space, and a variety of restaurants, The Galleria is a city within a city.

As with any city and its structures, age takes its toll. The existing skylights were replaced with new watertight, structurally-sound vault skylights with gable ends. Each of the units spanned approximately 81 feet in length and 42 feet in width. Ten thousand square feet of Viracon’s VS2-14 insulated, laminated glass was specified to mitigate Texas’ severe heat and storms.

Enhancing the durability and longevity of the skylight system, Linetec finished all of the aluminum framing in a clear anodize. This finish meets the AAMA 611-98 specification, which anodize finishes to meet rigorous testing performance standards including 3,000 hours of salt spray resistance. Linetec’s senior marketing specialist, Tammy Schroeder, LEED® Green Associate, notes its other benefits: “Unlike other finishes, as an integral part of the substrate, anodizing highlights aluminum’s metallic appearance. Anodized aluminum is 100% recyclable, contains no VOCs, and resists the ravages of time, temperature, corrosion, humidity and warping, adding to its long life-cycle.”

Under the guidance of French Engineering, LLC, the glazing team carefully removed and installed one unit, then the other. During the installation of the second unit, Hurricane Ike impacted Houston. “Although all of the glass units were set, the caulking operations were only 50% completed when the hurricane hit,” recalls Todd Wilde, Super Sky’s project manager.

He continues, “Every attempt was made to keep the unit watertight, however some water infiltration did occur causing minor damage. After the hurricane had passed, the installation of the second unit was completed and repairs were made to the interior finishes.” The Galleria’s overall renovations were finalized in March 2009.

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Houston Galleria, 5085 Westheimer Rd., Suite 4850, Houston

* Owner: Simon Property Group, Inc.; Indianapolis

* Specialty engineer: French Engineering, LLC; Houston

* Glazing system – manufacturer and installer: Super Sky Products Enterprises, LLC; Mequon, Wis.

* Glazing system – glass fabricator: Viracon, Inc.; Owatonna, Minn.

* Glazing system – finisher: Linetec; Wausau, Wis.

* Photos courtesy of: Super Sky Products Enterprises, LLC

* Photographer: William Lemke