I'm starting a design for a half-round transom with a 6' diameter. Will a panel of that size (15.5 ft perimeter) need reinforcement? And if so, where would it best be placed? No design decisions have been made so I have no constraints as of now.
It will be installed in a south-facing window inside the existing glass. It will be hot, but dry ... what type of venting should I consider?
All help appreciated!
Marilyn
If it is going to be installed behind existing glass, it will not be subject to wind or weather loads. I wouldn't think you'd have to reinforce it.
I've done panels like this before. I made the panel about 1/4" smaller all the way around than the original opening. I sat the SG panel on some "sitting blocks" (1/4" square rubber) and soldered a couple of heavy brass hangers onto the outer band. (Delphi's "Handy Hangers") I bent the hangers prior to soldering them, with the loop at 90* to the face of the room side of the panel. When the panel is lifted into place, you only need to run a few screws through the holes in the hangers and into the wood sash. All you are trying to do is keep the panel from tipping back out of the opening. It will be sitting on the small blocks and will stay in place of it's own weight. If you didn't want to take the time to find the rubber blocks, you could solder some zinc "feet" here and there across the bottom. You just want to have the panel raised up enough to let any condensation escape. I'm assuming this is going to be sitting directly above a door or other window with a header strong enough to support the additional weight?
By being 1/4" smaller all the way around, you will have enough breathing room. If you seal it with silicone or nail wood trim strips, you will almost certainly cause condensation and cause a large heat build-up between the layers. "Free-standing" will cause you less trouble in the long run.
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