Deflection Bead case history: The Confluence

GDA Architects designed the $90 million Confluence building at Riverfront Park in Denver, Colorado as a modern 34-story tower. With 288 luxury multifamily apartments, the Confluence was designed to be the tallest building in Riverfront Park, requiring a solution for a common problem in multi-level buildings: interior finishing deflection cracks.

In multi-level buildings, the upper floors exert force upon the lower floors and can cause cracking of the drywall where the lower floor wall meets the ceiling, especially when the upper floors are subject to variable load, impact, or other unexpected forces. These cracks are unattractive and a frequent motivation for repair calls in buildings where they occur.

In designing The Confluence, GDA Architects had to resolve the possible deflection of the floors to ensure the integrity of the drywall below. They chose Trim-Tex Deflection Bead to absorb these forces and ensure a superior drywall finish. Deflection bead not only eliminates cracks, but also leaves a clean shadow line finish at the head of the wall.

(Left) Inside corner cracking. (Right) Blistering inside corner due to deflection.

Wall-Mounted Deflection Bead features a co-extruded flexible gasket that compresses and expands during architectural deflection to provide protection for as much as 7/16” of deflection. Deflection Bead also features a tear-off strip that acts as a masking guide to protect the concrete finish from mud. The strip is then easily removed during final sanding, leaving the wall with a clean, finished edge.

Trim-Tex Deflection Bead is permitted in both fire-rated and non-fire- rated assemblies. GDA paired it with Hilti’s Firestop Top Track Seal to achieve a wall that is fire-rated as well as cleanly finished and free of cracks. The combined system fills in the gap between metal tracks and imperfect concrete, as well as prevents smoke, air, and sound transfer.

Additionally, GDA Architects’ inclusion of Trim-Tex Deflection Bead offers peace of mind to the building’s owner, who will have lower building maintenance costs, and happier residents enjoying their beautiful, modern home.

For more information on Trim-Tex Deflection Bead visit www.trim-tex.com.