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.
Related Stories
75 Top Building Products | Apr 22, 2024
Enter today! BD+C's 75 Top Building Products for 2024
BD+C editors are now accepting submissions for the annual 75 Top Building Products awards. The winners will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of Building Design+Construction.
Sponsored | Performing Arts Centers | Jan 17, 2024
Performance-based facilities for performing arts boost the bottom line
A look at design trends for “budget-wise” performing arts facilities reveals ways in which well-planned and well-built facilities help performers and audiences get the most out of the arts. This continuing education course is worth 1.0 AIA learning unit.
Products and Materials | Dec 28, 2023
Top building products for December 2023
BD+C Editors break down 15 of the top building products this month, from carbon-neutral mortars to innovative adhesives.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 13, 2023
75 top building products for 2023
From a bladeless rooftop wind energy system, to a troffer light fixture with built-in continuous visible light disinfection, innovation is plentiful in Building Design+Construction's annual 75 Top Products report.
Metals | Sep 11, 2023
Best practices guide for air leakage testing for metal building systems released
The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) released a new guidebook, Metal Building Systems - Best Practices to Comply with Whole-Building Air Leakage Testing Requirements.
AEC Innovators | Feb 28, 2023
Meet the 'urban miner' who is rethinking how we deconstruct and reuse buildings
New Horizon Urban Mining, a demolition firm in the Netherlands, has hitched its business model to construction materials recycling. It's plan: deconstruct buildings and infrastructure and sell the building products for reuse in new construction. New Horizon and its Founder Michel Baars have been named 2023 AEC Innovators by Building Design+Construction editors.
Standards | Jan 19, 2023
Fenestration Alliance updates liquid applied flashing standard
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) published an update to its Liquid Applied Flashing Standard. The document contains minimum performance requirements for liquid applied flashing used to provide water-resistive seals around exterior wall openings in buildings.
75 Top Building Products | Nov 30, 2022
75 top building products for 2022
Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team evaluates the vast universe of new and updated products, materials, and systems for the U.S. building design and construction market. The best-of-the-best products make up our annual 75 Top Products report.
Building Materials | Nov 2, 2022
Design for Freedom: Ending slavery and child labor in the global building materials sector
Sharon Prince, Founder and CEO of Grace Farms and Design for Freedom, discusses DFF's report on slavery and enforced child labor in building products and materials.
