Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope Launches Reliance-TC SS High-Thermal Curtain Wall System
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (OBE), a leading provider of architectural glass, metal, and hardware solutions for the commercial construction industry, has introduced the Reliance™-TC SS (Thermal Control Screw Spline), a new high-performance curtain wall system designed to meet increasingly stringent energy-efficiency requirements while maintaining fabrication simplicity and installation flexibility.
The new product expands OBE’s established Reliance curtain wall portfolio and reflects the growing demand for building envelope solutions capable of delivering superior thermal performance without adding complexity to project execution. By combining advanced energy efficiency, flexible glazing options, and streamlined assembly methods, the Reliance-TC SS is engineered to help architects, contractors, and building owners meet evolving building codes and sustainability objectives.
As energy regulations become more demanding across North America, commercial building projects are increasingly required to achieve higher levels of thermal performance. Curtain wall systems, which play a critical role in building envelopes, have become a key area of focus for developers seeking to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support sustainability goals.
The Reliance-TC SS was specifically developed to address these challenges. Built on OBE’s proven Reliance platform, the system delivers enhanced thermal control while preserving the design flexibility and installation advantages that project teams have come to expect from the company’s curtain wall solutions.
One of the defining features of the Reliance-TC SS is its ability to meet demanding energy performance requirements across a wide range of climates. The system has been engineered to comply with the requirements of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Zones 4 through 8, which include regions that experience significant heating and cooling demands throughout the year.
In addition to meeting current code requirements, the system is designed to support compliance with emerging stretch codes and future energy standards. Stretch codes, which often exceed baseline building code requirements, are becoming increasingly common as municipalities and jurisdictions pursue aggressive energy-efficiency and carbon-reduction goals.
For architects and developers, meeting these standards often requires balancing energy performance with practical considerations such as system depth, fabrication complexity, and installation costs. OBE’s new curtain wall solution aims to address these competing priorities by delivering improved thermal performance within a familiar and efficient framework.
The Reliance-TC SS achieves U-factor values as low as 0.19 when paired with thin triple insulating glass units (IGUs). This level of performance represents a significant advancement for curtain wall systems and can contribute meaningfully to overall building energy efficiency.
Importantly, the enhanced thermal performance is achieved without increasing the overall depth of the curtain wall system. Maintaining standard system dimensions allows project teams to meet stringent energy targets while avoiding redesigns or construction adjustments that can add costs and delays.
The use of thin triple-glazed insulating glass units further supports this objective. These advanced glazing systems provide superior insulation compared to conventional double-glazed units while maintaining slimmer profiles and manageable weights. As a result, designers can improve building performance without sacrificing aesthetics or creating installation challenges.
Beyond thermal performance, OBE has focused on ensuring that the Reliance-TC SS remains practical for fabrication and field installation. The system utilizes a screw-spline assembly method, a widely recognized approach within the curtain wall industry known for its efficiency and ease of use.
Screw-spline systems are valued for their ability to simplify fabrication processes while maintaining structural integrity and performance. Because many contractors and fabricators are already familiar with this assembly method, the Reliance-TC SS can be integrated into projects without requiring significant changes to established workflows.
The design helps streamline manufacturing operations in fabrication shops and supports efficient installation in the field. By reducing complexity during both production and construction phases, the system can contribute to improved project schedules and reduced labor demands.
Flexibility is another important aspect of the new curtain wall system. The Reliance-TC SS accommodates multiple glazing configurations, enabling project teams to tailor performance characteristics to specific building requirements. The system supports both traditional 1-inch insulating glass units and premium 1-inch thin triple insulating glass units.
This flexibility allows architects and developers to scale thermal performance according to project needs while maintaining consistency within the same curtain wall platform. Whether a project prioritizes cost efficiency, enhanced insulation, or compliance with high-performance building standards, the system offers adaptable solutions that can be customized without requiring entirely different framing systems.
OBE also emphasizes the advantages of its integrated product offering. As a supplier of both architectural glass and framing systems, the company provides a single-source solution that can simplify project coordination and procurement.
In many construction projects, glazing systems and framing components are sourced from different manufacturers, creating potential challenges related to compatibility, scheduling, and quality control. By supplying both critical elements, OBE helps streamline specification, engineering, fabrication, and installation processes.
This integrated approach can reduce coordination issues and provide greater confidence that all system components will work together as intended. For project teams facing tight schedules and demanding performance requirements, single-source responsibility can offer significant advantages.
Julie Schessler, Product Manager at Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, noted that the development of the Reliance-TC SS reflects broader changes occurring throughout the curtain wall and facade industry.
“The Reliance-TC SS reflects how curtain wall projects are evolving,” Schessler said. “It brings high-thermal performance and screw-spline efficiency together in one system, helping teams meet rising performance demands without adding unnecessary complexity.”
Her comments highlight a growing trend within commercial construction: the need for building envelope systems that deliver increasingly sophisticated performance while remaining practical and cost-effective to implement.
The launch comes at a time when building owners, architects, and developers are placing greater emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainability, and lifecycle performance. Rising energy costs, stricter regulations, and environmental commitments are driving demand for facade systems that contribute to lower energy consumption and improved occupant comfort.
Curtain wall systems have become a central component of these efforts, particularly in commercial offices, educational facilities, healthcare buildings, mixed-use developments, and institutional projects where large expanses of glass are common. High-performance systems such as the Reliance-TC SS enable designers to preserve modern architectural aesthetics while meeting increasingly rigorous energy requirements.
As the construction industry continues to pursue higher-performance buildings and net-zero energy objectives, products like the Reliance-TC SS are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping future building designs.
With its combination of advanced thermal performance, fabrication efficiency, glazing flexibility, and integrated sourcing advantages, OBE’s newest curtain wall system positions the company to support the next generation of energy-efficient commercial construction projects. The introduction of the Reliance-TC SS reinforces Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope’s commitment to delivering innovative facade solutions that help project teams achieve both design excellence and performance goals.
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