Curtain Walling

Curtain walling emerged in the 19^th century, with the development of large glass panels. It became more commonly used in the 1930s, at which time aluminium was more readily available as a construction material.

Generally associated with multi-storey buildings, curtain walling systems are external coverings where the outer walls are non-structural. Typically made from aluminium and glass to maximise natural light, they also create a feeling of space and provide the perfect interface with the outside world, whilst maintaining safety and security.

Curtain walls differ from shop fronts because they are designed to span multiple floors, and the architectural engineers who create them must take into consideration design requirements such as thermal expansion, building sway and water diversion.

Typically, curtain wall systems include a lightweight aluminium frame onto which glazed panels are fixed.

Other possible infill panels include:

• Vision glass, that can be double or triple-glazed – may include low e-coatings, reflective coatings
• Non-vision (spandrel) glass
• Aluminium or other metals
• Vents or louvres

Our curtain walling systems:

• Offer low or high-rise capability
• Can incorporate single, double or triple glazing
• Are manual or automatic doors compatible
• Come with insulated powder-coated or anodised panels
• Offer energy-efficient solar shading and glass-painted panels that assure low U-values

Curtain walls can be in the form of a ‘stick system’ or they can be unitised:

• Installed piece by piece onsite, stick systems include glazing inserts that are applied from the inside or outside, depending on access
• Unitised systems are prefabricated off-site and delivered in panels