Today’s architects, contractors and building owners help create buildings that offer occupants better performance, protection and possibilities. They must meet evolving market demands while incorporating sustainable solutions and relying on durable products built to last. They are also more focused than ever on maximizing project dollars. In short, they demand performance that withstands climate extremes, while maintaining fiscal and environmental responsibility.
To meet the needs of decision-makers in both the new construction and remodel/restoration markets, manufacturers must improve quality, enhance durability, make design improvements and test thoroughly before, during and after construction. Whether your building is new, retrofitted or historically restored, the energy savings that result from the latest thermal technologies give your building a competitive edge, now and in the future.
Meeting Today’s Thermal Performance Demands
To keep buildings running efficiently, commercial facade and fenestration products must effectively manage thermal transfer. Integrating advanced thermal barriers is essential to minimizing energy loss and maintaining interior comfort.
Thermal barriers play a critical role in transferring forces like tension, torsion and shear, making durability and performance under stress just as important as energy efficiency. Kawneer systems are designed and tested to meet rigorous standards, ensuring long-term reliability across a wide range of applications.
More broadly, today’s building teams are prioritizing solutions that:
- Improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs
- Enhance occupant comfort and indoor climate stability
- Support compliance with increasingly stringent energy codes
- Contribute to long-term sustainability goals
A Legacy of Innovation, Built for the Future
Kawneer’s solutions draw on a long legacy of innovation to create next-generation technologies that inspire architects, contractors and glaziers to build better buildings. Founded in 1906, Kawneer has remained focused on advancing building performance, efficiency and overall building performance.
120 years later, that legacy continues through a comprehensive portfolio of high performance framing, curtain wall and window systems designed to meet the needs of new construction, retrofit and historic renovation projects alike. Kawneer products are engineered and tested to meet relevant NFRC, AAMA and ASTM standards, supporting consistent quality and reliable performance.
Spotlight: 2500 UT PLUS
The latest evolution in Kawneer’s thermal product line is the 2500 UT PLUS, an enhanced option built on the proven 2500 UT Unitwall® System. Designed to meet increasingly stringent energy codes, it delivers improved thermal performance without sacrificing the speed and efficiency of unitized construction.
Engineered for mid- to high-rise applications, the system achieves an overall U-factor as low as 0.25 with a 0.20 center of glass (COG) value using a 1-inch insulating glass unit. This level of performance helps reduce HVAC demand, improve occupant comfort and support lower operational carbon, which are key priorities for today’s building teams.
At the same time, 2500 UT PLUS maintains the core advantages architects and contractors rely on, including:
- Shop-assembled, pre-glazed units for consistent quality
- Faster installation and more predictable project timelines
- Unitized efficiency without added complexity
- Structural silicone glazed (SSG) options for minimal sightlines and expansive glass
Backed by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Declare labels and Cradle to Cradle Certified® documentation, the 2500 UT PLUS aligns high-performance facade design with broader sustainability goals. The result is a next-generation solution that builds on a trusted platform, making it easier to meet evolving energy demands while maintaining design flexibility and construction efficiency.
Real-World Performance: Wawanesa Headquarters
Kawneer’s thermal performance capabilities are not just theoretical; they are proven in demanding, real-world applications. A standout example is the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a 19-story commercial tower designed with performance, sustainability and architectural distinction in mind.
Located in a climate known for extreme temperature swings, the project required a facade solution that could deliver high thermal performance while supporting a bold architectural vision. Kawneer collaborated closely with the project team to bring that vision to life, utilizing a triple-glazed, unitized 2500 UT Unitwall® System alongside additional curtain wall systems to achieve both aesthetic and performance goals.
The design included a custom exterior “river fin” inspired by the nearby Souris River, a striking feature that introduced additional complexity. The challenge was to integrate this element without compromising the building’s thermal integrity. Through collaboration and innovation, the team developed specialized attachment solutions using low-conductivity materials and protective barriers to minimize thermal transfer while maintaining structural performance.
Beyond the facade itself, the project emphasized coordination and precision. Advanced modeling tools, prefabrication strategies and close collaboration across teams helped ensure the system performed as intended, meeting both design expectations and sustainability targets, including a goal of LEED Gold® certification.
The result is a high-performance building that demonstrates how Kawneer systems can balance energy efficiency, structural demands and architectural creativity, even in some of the most challenging climates.
The Right Solution for Every Project
For decades, Kawneer has utilized its deep expertise of materials and manufacturing to design products that improve energy conservation and building performance. Each system is developed with the understanding that no two projects are the same, and that flexibility is key to delivering the right solution.
By combining proven systems like the 2500 UT with a broad range of thermal innovations, Kawneer enables architects, contractors and building owners to meet today’s performance expectations while preparing for the demands of tomorrow. The result is a portfolio designed not just to meet standards, but to help build lasting legacies through better-performing buildings.
