What is a curtain wall?

Downtown skyscraper with curtain wall

Make no mistake, a curtain wall is not a wall of curtains, but an exterior cladding. Think of the most modern buildings downtown, the ones that look like they are made entirely of glass. Well, the facades of these buildings are entirely covered with curtain walls!

 

« A curtain wall is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are nonstructural but are attached to the building structure and used to keep out the weather. […] » - Science Direct

 

Don't worry, the glass structure of the curtain wall does not make it a less resistant cladding. On the contrary, curtain wall is designed to withstand the elements and natural disasters.

 

It resists wind force (wind load equivalent to a hurricane), thermal expansion and contraction, earthquakes, wind and other airborne projectiles, fire, explosions and construction movements such as concrete creep.

 

The benefits of a curtain wall do not end there. In order to fully understand its potential, one must look at the installation process.

 

How to install a curtain wall?

To understand how to install a curtain wall, we must first make the difference between a curtain wall and a window wall. 

 

In a window wall, the windows are installed between the concrete slabs, thus becoming an integral part of the building's supporting structure. The contour is then sealed with a sealant.

 

The curtain wall is a continuous wall cladding that covers the supporting concrete structure in parallel. This assembly of glass and metal structures envelops the building to create a perfectly uniform cladding appearance.

 

At Basco Windows and Doors, the installation is done using 3 different techniques:

 

The first option is to attach the two horizontal sides of the glass with clamping strips. Then, the vertical sides are glued to the building structure, creating semi-structural curtain walls.

 

The second option includes glass facades made with U Glass technology. This type of glass, as the name suggests, has a U-shaped impression. It is transparent, clear and allows light to pass through easily.

 

The third option involves the use of facades with point-fixed structures. The glass elements are attached to the supporting structure with steel cables without the need for a frame or rebate, thanks to the mechanical strength of the glass. Thus, this method allows the glass elements to be screwed to the supporting structure.

 

What are the advantages of a curtain wall?

Thermal insulation

Curtain walls, like thermal pane windows, benefit from superior thermal insulation. In fact, when designing your curtain wall, it is possible to choose Low-E glass. These glasses offer a better thermal performance.

 

In winter, low-emissivity glass maximizes heat gain from solar radiation. This type of glazing reduces the need for artificial heating and allows passive solar heating, making it ideal for cold climates.

 

But that's not all! In summer, thanks to solar control technology, low-emissivity glass limits the amount of solar energy absorbed to maintain a cooler indoor temperature, without the need to increase air conditioning.

 

In short, the ideal glazing for the Canadian climate!

 

Energy efficiency

Thermal insulation results in increased energy efficiency. The composition of the thermo glazing provides an unequalled airtightness. 

 

This technology blocks heat-generating UV light while allowing natural light to pass through. Incorporating low-E glass in windows can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills.

 

Energy efficient windows can save you up to 10% on your heating costs!

 

Resistant

As mentioned earlier, curtain walls are designed to be strong. They are designed to withstand water drainage, earthquakes, thermal expansion and compression, and much more!

 

A sure value for the safety and longevity of your building.

 

Economic

The materials used for a curtain wall are very light, mainly made of glass, aluminum and sometimes even wood. Thanks to this lightness, this option allows you to save money.

 

Aesthetic

Asymmetrical curtain wall building

In addition to the many technical advantages, curtain walls offer a major aesthetic advantage! There are even several types of curtain walls. When designing your curtain walls, you can also choose their interior and exterior finish.

 

The creative freedom in creating this type of flooring is amazing! You can choose an asymmetrical or symmetrical design. Curtain walls are not limited to a glass and aluminum composition. The metal structure can even be replaced by a wood structure. In short, architects have a field day when it comes to designing a curtain wall.

 

This type of exterior cladding gives a modern and sophisticated effect to buildings. Think back to the buildings in the downtown area and you'll see that those clad in curtain walls make the biggest impact! Opting for curtain walls will give your commercial project a look that matches your services!

Natural light

In terms of comfort and aesthetics, the curtain wall is a great advantage, since it allows a large amount of natural light to enter your building.

 

Versatility

To the surprise of many, curtain walls can also be adapted to a home. It is not a cladding exclusive to large buildings or office buildings. A section of your home can be made up of curtain walls. It is also an interesting option for a solarium.

Curtain wall installation and repair service

Do you need advice or services regarding the installation or repair of a curtain wall? Whether it is for your house or your building, the Basco Doors and Windows team is THE reference. Request a quote now!