The Next Facade Generation: Timber & Glass

We are excited to share that Sentech’s Mass Timber A, a recently completed project that utilizes our VetraFin-W System, has been featured in the November issue of U.S. Glass Magazine.

Highlighting our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable, advanced façade design, our timber system showcases the seamless integration of natural materials with cutting-edge structural glazing technology, offering architects new pathways for creating transparent, resilient, and environmentally conscious building envelopes. Sentech is redefining what is possible with structural wood and glass, delivering high-performance, visually stunning systems that blend warmth, sustainability, and engineering precision.

The article, written by industry veteran Ellen Rogers, focuses on the next facade generation, examining the use of timber as a primary support material, an approach that dramatically reduces embodied carbon compared to conventional aluminum or steel framing. Engineered timber provides inherent carbon sequestration, exhibits an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and supports environmentally responsible sourcing through certified forestry practices.

Beyond their low-carbon profiles, mass timber systems integrate several sustainability-driven engineering strategies, including the following:

• Thermally superior mullions – the natural insulating properties help reduce thermal bridging and improve whole-façade energy performance
• Optimized material usage – leveraging parametric modeling can minimize waste by tailoring timber dimensions and geometries to actual structural demand
• Durable hybrid connection systems- custom steel nodes and hardware are designed for longevity, reducing replacement cycles and improving lifecycle performance
• High-performance glazing compatibility – these systems support advanced IGUs, solar-control coatings, and low-iron glass, enabling design teams to meet strict energy codes without sacrificing transparency

The growing demand for hybrid wood-and-structural glass solutions highlights an evolving facade trend that leans toward the continued embrace of transparency while integrating warmth, depth and sustainable, high-performance materials.  The trend also celebrates collaborative design and customized engineering efforts that make these systems possible- areas where Sentech’s team of engineers, designers and facade professionals shine. We’re proud to contribute to evolving façade technology and to be recognized by one of the industry’s leading publications.

Learn more about Sentech’s VetraFin-W System here, wood fin systems which allow for abundant natural light, optimized resource utilization via the use of low embodied carbon and sustainable, renewable components, while exuding warmth and a sense of spatial depth to any facade or overhead application.

And if you haven’t already, check out the November issue of U.S. Glass Magazine to read the full feature and learn more about the future of high-performance facade design.