GLASS CURTAIN WALL

Glass Curtain Wall

This system is engineered to resist a wide array of environmental forces, including wind and earthquake loads, ensuring structural stability even in challenging conditions.

Anchors

serve as the critical connection points, securing the curtain wall to the building’s structural framework, ensuring stability under load.

Mullions

the vertical framing members, provide the backbone of the system, supporting the weight and alignment of glass panels.

Horizontal rails or transoms

panning between mullions, transfer the gravity load of the glass to these vertical supports, maintaining the system’s integrity.

Vision Glass

the transparent glazed areas, allows natural light to flood interiors while offering views, a defining feature of modern architecture.

The stick-built curtain wall system

the oldest and most traditional type, offers a hands-on approach to construction, assembled piece by piece directly on-site.

stick-built curtain wall system

This method involves hanging components such as anchors, mullions, rails, connectors, insulating glass units (IGUs), spandrel panels, insulation, back pans, gaskets, and sealants from floor to floor, creating a tailored fit for each building.

unitized curtain wall system

Represents a leap forward in construction efficiency, with large panels prefabricated in a controlled factory environment.

unitized curtain wall system

The installation of this  wall system is a streamlined process that contrasts with the piece-by-piece assembly of stick-built systems. Rather than constructing the wall on-site, pre-fabricated panels are hoisted into place, mating at assembly points to form the complete facade.

ASTM E283

Used as the standard for testing method for air leakage

Testing for Air Leakage

The test involves mounting a representative curtain wall specimen on a pressure chamber, sealing it at the perimeter, and depressurizing it to 75 Pa using an exhaust fan.

Condensation Testing

Assessing a curtain wall’s resistance to indoor surface condensation is a vital step in ensuring occupant comfort and material longevity, conducted by calculating the Temperature Index (TI).

Water Penetration Testing

Ensuring a curtain wall’s resistance to water penetration is critical for interior protection, evaluated through the ASTM E331 standard

Water Penetration Testing

This test mounts a representative curtain wall specimen on a pressure chamber, where it is sprayed with water for 15 minutes using a nozzle rack while a static air pressure differential of 137 Pa is applied.

Prevention of Air Leakage

is a cornerstone of curtain wall design, achieved through a continuous air barrier plane that runs seamlessly across the system. This barrier, traceable through the insulating glass unit (IGU) glass in a typical stick-built section, provides structural support while blocking unwanted airflow.

Prevention of Condensation

is a multifaceted challenge addressed through strategic design features tailored to varying climatic conditions.

Rain Penetration Prevention

relies on the rainscreen principle, a sophisticated strategy to manage water exposure effectively. This approach controls the direct entry of rain or meltwater, counters capillary action that draws moisture into joints, and provides surface and cavity drainage paths to expel water.

Drainage Considerations

is a critical aspect of curtain wall design, particularly when insulating glass units (IGUs) are installed. These units rest on two setting blocks within the frame opening, providing support but potentially impeding water flow along the sill.

Float (annealed) glass

serves as the base material

tinted glass

This glass absorb heat

heat-strengthened or tempered glass

This glass provides enhanced resistance to thermal and mechanical stresses

Laminated glass

This glass offers safety and security by preventing shattering, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

Patterned or decorative glass

This glass adds aesthetic value, catering to architectural creativity.

Vision Glass

is the heart of a curtain wall’s aesthetic and functional appeal, available in single, double, or triple glazed configurations to address varying performance needs

Insulating Glass Units (IGUs)

are the backbone of energy-efficient curtain wall glazing, consisting of two or more glass panes separated by a spacer to create a uniform cavity.

spacer

made from aluminum or fiberglass (“warm edge” technology), maintains the gap and may be filled with desiccant to absorb residual moisture, preventing internal condensation by lowering the dewpoint to below -60°C.

the slab-at-grade connection

links the air/vapor barrier to the rail, with insulation reducing heat loss, while the soffit connection balances heated and unheated zones to avoid condensation

Precast cladding connections

extend the barrier to the glazing cavity, allowing movement clearance.

Glass Curtain Wall

stands as an advanced façade system, marrying engineering prowess with architectural artistry.

aluminum and glass

Constructed primarily from non-combustible materials like ______, it requires minimal maintenance while delivering years of aesthetic quality and building envelope performance

minimal maintenance

Glass Curtain wall requires ____ while delivering years of aesthetic quality and building envelope performance.

wind and earthquake loads

This system is engineered to resist a wide array of environmental forces, including ____, ensuring structural stability even in challenging conditions.