What Is Curtain Walling? – Definition, Uses & Benefits

What Is Curtain Walling? 

Curtain walling systems are non-structural cladding systems which are fixed to a building’s exterior, protecting the exterior of a building from the elements and attacks. They can be designed to suit a wide range of projects which includes tailoring the security, installation and aesthetic specifications to suit the requirements of a project. 

What Are Curtain Walling Systems Used For? 

Curtain walling is primarily used to protect the outside of a building from the elements, debris and attacks however they also have many design features that allow them to improve a building’s energy efficiency through integrated insulation while maximising the amount of light that comes into a building. 

Who Needs Curtain Walling Systems? 

With the value of the aluminium curtain walling industry alone in the UK being expected to reach $1.5 Billion by 2030 it’s clear that many industries need the systems. Despite the fact that curtain walling can be installed on most buildings that require external protection, we most frequently install the systems in commercial applications which is in line with industry prediction from Future Market Insights that between 2023 and 2033, 76.2% of curtain walling installations will be installed on commercial applications. We have listed some of our most frequent sectors that we install the systems for below, 

• Financial institutions 
• High security storage centres 
• Petrochemical facilities 
• Military buildings 
• High end retail 
• Logistics hubs 
• Data centres 
• Commercial buildings and offices 

What Are The 4 Benefits Of Installing Curtain Walling Systems? H5 Protection From The Elements

Curtain walling systems can protect the exterior of a building from the elements such as wind, rain and lightning. This is achieved by designing the systems to prevent water infiltration by using advanced drainage channels and pressure-equalised systems to manage rain and moisture. The lightweight aluminium frames and glass panels are engineered to withstand wind loads, distributing external pressure safely to the building’s main structure which would have otherwise put the building’s exterior windows under great pressure, risking breaks and fractures. Many curtain walling systems also offer thermal insulation, reducing heat loss and condensation, while UV-resistant glazing helps to minimise sun damage to the interiors of buildings such as furniture and artwork. 

Protection From Debris 

Occasionally the weather in the UK can become so violent that storms can generate wind speeds of over 100mph. In these extreme weather conditions, debris can easily get thrown around the air which can easily collide into buildings and cause significant damage to the buildings’ exterior, subsequently leading to extremely costly repairs. Nearby construction work and demolitions can also lead to falling debris damaging a building which is why curtain walling can therefore prevent the exterior of a building from being damaged in the event that debris hits a building. 

Reduced Risk Of Injury & Death In The Event Of An Armed Attack

Curtain walling systems can be designed and manufactured to be blast and bullet resistant which means that they can withstand blast and ballistic attacks, subsequently reducing the risks of injury and loss of life. This is achieved by designing and constructing the systems to deflect blast shockwaves and debris away from the building as well as designing the glass to reduce penetration from debris and bullets. 

Improved Aesthetic Appeal 

Curtain walling systems enhance a building’s visual appeal by giving the building a sleek, modern, and elegant exterior look. With their lightweight aluminium frames and large glass panels, they offer a clean, minimalist design that maximizes natural light and provides a seamless, reflective surface. These systems can be customized in various colours, finishes, and materials which allow architects to design the buildings to have a unique and striking appearance. Their ability to cover large areas without visible supports gives buildings a sophisticated, contemporary look, making them ideal for commercial and high-end architectural projects. 

What Happens If I Don’t Install The Systems? 

Failing to install curtain walling systems can put the exterior of your building at risk of damage in the event of a bad storm, or armed attack or in the event that debris falls down and travels into the building from nearby construction projects. Repairs to the glass and structural components of your building can be extremely expensive to repair as well as taking up vast amounts of time. 

What Are The 2 Different Types Of Curtain Walling Systems? 

The two different types of curtain walling systems are stick curtain walling systems and unitised curtain walling systems. They both serve the same purpose but are built and installed in different ways. Despite unitised systems making up roughly 63.2% of the market, they both contain different advantages and disadvantages.

Stick Curtain Walling Systems 

Stick curtain walling systems are designed and manufactured as individual components which include glass, mullions and transoms. The advantage of this is that they can then be assembled and constructed on-site, making transportation easier as they can be transported in smaller vehicles like vans, giving more options for taking particular routes and parking in busy places. The disadvantage is that assembly takes more time and requires more skill which then costs more money for the installer. 

Unitised Curtain Walling Systems 

Unitised systems are constructed with the core components such as the aluminium frame and the glass already bolted together in the factory so that they don’t require extra smaller individual parts in order to be constructed on-site. The advantage of this is that they can go through quality control testing in the factory before they leave, allowing fixes to be made early on. Unitised systems are also faster to install on site. The only disadvantage is that due to the large size of the systems, they must be transported in bigger vehicles which can therefore pose logistical difficulties such as requiring bigger parking space and being selective about which routes the vehicles take to get to the site. 

What Materials Are Used In The Systems? 

The most frequent material that is used in the structure for curtain walling systems is aluminium as the material is strong, light and weather resistant. This offers long term durability which means that the structure wouldn’t have to be replaced frequently. Steel is often used in high security curtain walling systems due to the need for the systems to be blast and ballistic resistant. The glass is often toughened, laminated and double glazed in order for it to be strong and durable while providing lots of insulation and soundproofing. 

Can The Design & Build Of the Systems Be Customised? 

The design and build of curtain walling systems can be fully customized to meet a building’s specific sizing, functional and installation requirements. These systems offer flexibility in frame materials, glass types, and finishes, allowing architects to create unique facades. Customization options also include varying levels of thermal insulation, soundproofing, and security features like blast or ballistic resistance. 

What Technical Specifications Can Curtain Walling Be Specified To?

At premier SSL, we can tailor our curtain walling systems to be specified to pass EXV 10, EXV 15, and ISO 16933:2007 testing specifications. This means that the systems can resist blast attacks which enforces the security of all people, infrastructure and equipment within a building. 

What About Their Visual Appearance? 

We fully understand that architects and designers place a huge importance on the visual aesthetics of a building which is why our engineers can tailor the frame style, colours, material and functionality of our curtain walling systems to suit the architectural design of a building. We can also tailor our glass to be reflective, transparent, tinted or frosted in order to suit your design and privacy needs.

What Next? 

At premier SSL we enjoy speaking to architects, construction designers, procurement and engineering teams about the functionality, technical and visual capabilities of our advanced curtain walling systems so if you have any questions feel free to contact us below.