ᐅ Modern Timber Frame Construction with Frameless Glazing – Options

Hello,
I am currently planning to build a modern timber-framed house, and many of the panels are to be fitted with triple-glazed glass so that no frame is visible. Since I am still in the planning phase, I can design the timber framing accordingly, but I am not exactly sure what the best approach would be.

Here are my ideas: each panel with fixed glazing would have a groove milled on the inside of the house. The depth of this groove would match the thickness of the triple glazing plus a few millimeters, and the width of the groove around 2cm (1 inch). A rubber gasket could then be glued all around inside the groove, and the glass would be placed into the groove from the inside. From the inside, a board as wide as the timber beam would be screwed in so that the glass is clamped between the board and the timber in the groove. Of course, a second gasket would be added here. This way, the windows would essentially be frameless, with the frame then being formed by the timber framing itself. However, I am somewhat concerned about waterproofing at the bottom edge of the glass. How can I reliably prevent water running down the glass from getting in between the glass and the timber framing? Would a simple silicone sealant joint last over time?

Alternatively, I could order glass panes with a fixed frame. These frames would need to be larger than the panel so that the visible glass matches the size of the panel. I would then screw the frames directly onto the timber framing from the inside with a gasket and cover this again with a board. Of course, this could also be done from the outside. In this case, the panes would sit in their own frames, which would probably ensure more predictable waterproofing, but the result wouldn’t be as sleek as the fully frameless solution.

Or is there a system specifically designed for this purpose?

I would be very grateful for suggestions and feedback.

Best regards,
Marian

Take a look at swissfineline. I recently saw them in a penthouse. However, they are really expensive (a six-figure amount for a 250 m² (2,690 sq ft) penthouse). Not sure if they would work for timber framing.

What does the architect say?

Swissfineline is great (personal experience). They do something like that for you, but it costs a lot of money. Probably more for an exterior frame at the insulation level.
@nordanney has already provided a price range. However, it won’t be a low six-figure amount.