Kalwall can be all or part of the walls or roof of any building or be an entire freestanding structure. Typical configurations and systems include Wall/Window Systems, Skylights, Clearspan^™ Skylights/Skyroof^®, Walkways/Canopies, Window Replacements, and Complete Structures.

Kalwall is NOT a plastic, polycarbonate or glass. It is far superior in integrity, performance and value to products that superficially may appear similar. Kalwall's primary element is a structural composite sandwich panel formed by permanently bonding, under heat and pressure, specially formulated, fiberglass-reinforced translucent faces to a grid core constructed of interlocked, structural aluminum/composite, thermally broken "I" beams. The panels can be curved or flat, 2-3/4 inches (70mm) or 4 inches (100 mm) thick.

The David Geffen Foundation Building, Beverly Hills, CA Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects Tom Bonner Photography

Kalwall dates back to 1955 to the invention of the translucent, true sandwich panel by inventor and company founder Robert Keller. No other company in the world has dedicated more years, resources, creativity and innovation into the science and art of daylighting. Kalwall provides building designers and owners with the most advanced technologies in the world to fulfill their own visions of creating better buildings.

Here is an 8-point introduction to the dynamic world of daylighting with Kalwall…

1. Museum-Quality Daylighting^™

The process of tapping into the free energy of the sun to effectively illuminate a space is the art and science of daylighting. Kalwall has the unique ability to fill a space with well-balanced, diffused, natural daylight. Millions of prismatic glass fibers imbedded in Kalwall's face sheets refract sunlight to provide a balanced, diffuse wash of glare-free, usable light.

Crocker Art Museum Sacramento, CA Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects Bruce Damonte Photography

On bright sunny days, there is no harsh glare or overheating of the space. Even on cloudy days, the quality of light is truly exceptional and there is no need for shades, curtains or light shelves.

Kalwall provides a wide range of light levels to suit virtually every task-level requirement and desired mood or atmosphere. Natural light can be correctly planned, predicted and demonstrated in advance by utilizing Kalwall's unique Daylight Modeling service. This is the ultimate in scientific daylighting analysis. Site specific, 3-D imagery and computer modeling shows the end result of how a space will look, feel and perform. It is now possible to see the potential impact of design variations accurately portrayed in order to assure better daylighting, and avoid disappointment. Architects can see for themselves and easily demonstrate to owners the impact of their daylighting designs.

The positive impact of proper daylighting upon building occupants is well proven. Kalwall's properties are receiving more recognition than ever as medical science continues to proclaim the significant positive role that exposure to daylight plays in the general health and well being of all living things.

2. Kalwall Is Highly Insulating

Kalwall is exceptional at reducing thermal heat/cooling loss and controlling solar heat gain to deliver significant savings in HVAC costs while creating a more balanced and comfortable space. During the manufacturing process, the panels are infilled with translucent insulation in various densities, including the revolutionary Kalwall+ Lumira^TM aerogel. Optional thermally broken panels yield the ultimate in energy performance and condensation control. U-factor performance ranges from a standard .29 to include options from .53 to .05. Unlike gas-filled technology, which eventually leaks out, Kalwall's highly insulating properties remain constant.

3. Load Capacity, Codes and Certification

The structural integrity of Kalwall building systems significantly outperforms other products that may appear to be similar. Stringent testing, demanding code compliance, and advanced engineering result in proven performance that stands up to hurricane-force winds and the rigors of virtually any climate world-wide!

Kalwall products are linked to building code-, insurance-, designer-, and owner-driven performance requirements. They are tested and approved to meet or exceed the most demanding requirements and field-proven in virtually every climate. Kalwall is engineered and manufactured to these optional standards…

Factory Mutual approved Class I Wall and Roof Systems for unsprinklered buildings

FM approved for Pressure Venting Systems

U.L. tested and listed

South Florida Hurricane Systems developed, (Windborne Debris compliant)

ICC-ES requirements of "Criteria for Sandwich Panels and Systems" AOC177

AAMA 1503.1-88 tested for air and water infiltration, structural integrity and overall thermal properties

NFRC thermal and solar certification

UFC 4-010-01 DoD Anti-Terrorism Specifications

European Technical Approval certificates for CE mark

4. Details and Technical Summaries

Complete CAD details, 3-part specifications and technical summaries are available on this web site or by contacting Kalwall directly at info@kalwall.com. The Technical Service Department is eager to assist and Kalwall personnel are available worldwide to become a key member of your team during the design stages of a project. The support, people and expertise of Kalwall are considered an invaluable resource by the most noted architectural and design firms.

5. Assembly and Installation

All Kalwall Systems are pre-engineered and factory prefabricated to the greatest extent practical, delivering the ultimate in quality control. Large, lightweight modular units are created in the factory to eliminate most field joints. Installation costs and time are reduced and performance greatly enhanced. Although Kalwall panels are created from standard specifications, a wide variety of options are available to meet the needs of every application. Every system is job-specific, factory-fabricated to precise specifications.

Prefabricated curtainwall panels arrive by the truckload, factory pre-finished and ready to install.	No need for cranes; a come-along-scaffolding scales the building and panels are lifted into place.

As a unitized curtainwall, Kalwall arrives on the job site in complete, factory-assembled 'Panel Units' whenever possible or practical. The superfluous structure required with most other systems is eliminated. No additional finishing or assembly is required; the panels are ready for final installation. Kalwall employs a system of interconnected structural components, forming rigid, modular units that replace the heavy mullions and floating panels of other curtainwalls. Normal loads are dispersed throughout the panels, rather than converging on the mullions. Clamp-tite^™ closures at the perimeter and panel-to-panel serve only a sealing function in most cases.

As a skylight or Skyroof^®, all perimeter systems are factory-sealed and installed. The components' unique construction and superior structural strength permit even the largest panels to be installed quickly, efficiently, and for far less than conventional building materials.

6. Operation and Maintenance

Kalwall is as maintenance-free as it gets! Unlike glass, natural rainfall is all that's needed to keep the surface clean and streak-free. Kalwall is also shatterproof and highly vandal-resistant. The exclusive glass veil erosion preventer overcomes periodic maintenance. Graffiti is easily removed. With minimal care, Kalwall systems will perform for decades.

7. Availability and Cost

Since 1955, Kalwall has been renowned for its quality, performance, engineering expertise, aesthetic value and total company integrity. But there is even more to the Kalwall story. The cost effectiveness of this lightweight, highly durable, unique translucent building panel technology is unparalleled. Kalwall is also more affordable. From initial purchase price to installation costs, maintenance and energy savings, Kalwall is the most affordable solution to countless design challenges.

The process of beginning to estimate a job is as simple as contacting Kalwall. Real people -- helpful, experienced, and fully qualified are ready to go to work for you. Contact us at info@kalwall.com to begin the process of connecting with Kalwall field sales and support personnel throughout North America and most of the world.

8. The Daylighting Story

U.S. Pavilion at the 1958 World's Fair, Brussels, Belgium Designed by Edward Durell Stone

At Kalwall, the years since 1955 have seen continued research and development, and countless product improvements and innovations. The basic premise behind the original idea has changed very little, but the materials, performance and applications of Kalwall are always advancing. The search for excellence never ends. This commitment to making a good product even better has kept Kalwall at the forefront of the industry.

Kalwall's many "firsts" in the composites industry: