Curtain wall cladding is a system that protects the building structure and occupants from harsh weather conditions like rain, wind, and snow. The outer facade of a building is designed to be non-structural, so the curtain walls transfer the weight back to the primary structural components. They also help in protecting the interior of the building from extreme temperatures and reduce energy costs as they prevent heat loss through windows. This is why commercial glaziers and glass manufacturers are rapidly adopting this technology for their building projects.

These systems are part of a broad movement in modernist architecture to experiment with forms that move away from the traditional load-bearing walls that have defined our buildings since antiquity. These new forms can be much more open and allow for greater flexibility of occupancy, while still allowing for protection from the elements.

Elevate Your Exterior: Exploring the Versatility of Curtain Wall Cladding

The two main types of curtain wall systems are the stick system -wherein the frames and panels are installed on-site- and the unitized system wherein they are fully fabricated and assembled in a factory before being shipped to construction sites for installation. Unitized systems tend to be more reliable and have a better track record, but all projects specifying these systems must include a field mock-up for testing before the release of shop drawings for window production.

Besides reducing the overall cost of the project, curtain walls also increase the natural lighting within the building, which is a great benefit for the occupants. Research has shown that working in natural light promotes efficiency and productivity. In addition to this, it reduces the need for energy-consuming artificial light and heating, which further helps in lowering the building’s energy bills.