Curtain wall design has achieved a constant presence in modern architecture. This didn’t happen by accident. Few facade options are as versatile, or offer as many advantages, as glazed aluminum curtain wall specifications. In this article, we’ll explore compelling reasons why you might opt for a curtain wall on your next project.
Curtain walling facade design has evolved to encompass a wide range of system options, including:
Discover the advantages of each system.
Most architects relish the opportunities presented by modern curtain wall building design. This is reflected in its widespread use on architecturally significant buildings and in almost every application sector, from skyscrapers to residential developments and everything in between.
Complex geometries are not only possible, but commonplace in façade curtain wall design, including the ability to create a curved effect that affords an attractive and eye-catching fascia for commercial and prestige projects.
A curtain wall design imposes significantly less dead loading on a structure than, for example, a masonry wall, boosting its suitability on tall buildings, in particular. This also affords potential economies in terms of the required supporting frame, simultaneously promoting use of curtain walling as an easy refurbishment/retrofit façade choice.
The use of aluminium framing in curtain walling affords a spectrum of benefits. Aluminium offers infinite recyclability and can withstand harsh climatic conditions without degrading, due to its exceptional corrosion resistance. It also doesn’t lose structural integrity over time. This resilience enables an aluminium curtain wall design to provide a very long-lasting facade at minimum maintenance cost.
Correctly sealed and installed, curtain wall systems form an extremely effective airtight barrier against the elements. They also facilitate highly efficient rainwater drainage strategies, including managing differential pressures between the internal and external environment.
Curtain walling meets or exceeds energy efficiency targets through high-performance components, including glazing, thermal-break technology and airtight installation techniques. Systems offer a highly tailored approach to precisely control heating and cooling loads.
Curtain wall system specifications can be engineered to cope with unusually high levels of structural movement. For example, Kawneer’s AA®110 Structurally Silicone Glazed (SSG) Curtain Wall System has been developed to accommodate up to +/- 5mm differential vertical movement between the facade and the supporting substructure. Kawneer’s technical experts frequently create bespoke curtain wall solutions to cope with even greater movement levels.
Fast enclosure of the external envelope is often critical to keeping the build programme on schedule. Unitised curtain walling provides tightly controlled factory assembly, creating a true MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) offsite solution, resulting in very significant time and labour cost savings.
Curtain walls can accommodate a huge selection of glazing options, facilitating further fine-tuning of heat and cold loads. These options include insulated glazing units, sometimes with Low-E (low emissivity) coatings for improved year-round energy efficiency, occupant comfort and enhanced UV-protection.
The health and wellness benefits of providing excellent levels of natural lighting within buildings are now well-established and a curtain wall’s ability to provide a facade consisting of large uninterrupted spans of glass not only affords a more pleasant internal environment but also commanding views of the external environment too.
Properly constructed and designed curtain walls will seamlessly integrate with surrounding components, including vents, shading devices maintenance access systems, without any performance compromises.
Some building types require special curtain wall features that require tailor-made solutions. These include fire resistant curtain walls, where fire protection needs to be incorporated into the curtain wall specification, enabling safe occupant evacuation and preventing fire spread. Kawneer’s AA®100/AA®110FR is tested and certified the latest European fire resistance standards, offering 30-minute insulation and integrity.
Blast mitigation (or blast enhanced) curtain walls answer the need for appropriate control of curtain wall behaviour and performance in certain critical situations. Kawneer’s Blast Enhanced Curtain Wall is compliant with the Defence Works Functional Standard, Design and Maintenance Guide G2 – Glazing standards for MOD buildings subject to terrorist threat.
We hope that this overview has stimulated your interest in curtain walling as a highly effective facade solution for your next project.
Get in touch with Kawneer’s Architectural Advisor Team for professional assistance in matching your needs to specific or even bespoke curtain wall solutions.