What is a Curtain Wall?
A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing outer façade of a building, often composed of lightweight materials like glass and aluminum. Unlike traditional walls, curtain walls do not support any of the building’s structural weight—except for their own. Much like a curtain, these systems are typically suspended from the building’s floor slabs and attached back to the structure at specific anchor points.
What Are the Different Types of Curtain Walls?
Curtain wall systems are generally divided into two main categories, based on their fabrication and installation methods:
1. Stick Systems
Components (mullions, transoms, and panels) are assembled on-site.
Offers flexibility but requires more labor and time.
Commonly used for low- to mid-rise buildings.
2. Unitized (Modular) Systems
Pre-fabricated in large sections (typically one floor in height).
Glazed and sealed in the factory, then installed on-site as complete units.
Offers better quality control and faster installation, especially for high-rises.
What Are the Benefits of a Glazed Curtain Wall?
✅ Energy Efficiency
High-performance glass with Low-E coatings helps regulate heat and sunlight, improving building insulation and reducing HVAC load.
✅ Aesthetic Appeal
Enables sleek, modern facades with large uninterrupted glass surfaces.
Wide range of glass types and coatings to meet architectural design goals.
✅ Natural Daylight
Allows maximum natural light penetration, enhancing occupant comfort and reducing the need for artificial lighting.
✅ Sound Control
With the right glazing, curtain walls can offer effective acoustic insulation—ideal for urban or high-traffic areas.
✅ Quality Control
Particularly with unitized systems, most components are assembled and sealed in a controlled factory environment, ensuring consistent quality and performance.
What Glass Can Be Used in a Curtain Wall System?
Curtain wall systems support a wide variety of glass types, selected based on the specific performance and design needs of the project:
Tempered Glass – Safety glass with high strength and impact resistance
Laminated Glass – Offers added security and sound insulation
Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) – Double or triple-glazed for thermal and acoustic performance
Low-E Glass – Coated for energy efficiency and solar control
Tinted or Reflective Glass – Enhances privacy, reduces glare, and contributes to aesthetics
Spandrel Glass – Opaque glass used to cover floor slabs or conceal structural elements
Curtain Wall Glazing Systems Overview
Stick Systems:
This method involves assembling the frame on-site using mullions, transoms, and vision or spandrel glass panels. While flexible in design, stick systems generally require more on-site labor, which can extend installation time.
Key Components:
Vision Glass Panel
Spandrel Glass Panel
Floor Slab
Transom
Mullion
Unitized Systems:
In contrast, unitized curtain walls are pre-assembled off-site into large modules, often glazed in factory settings for better quality control. These modules—typically one story tall and about 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 m) wide—are then delivered and installed on-site, significantly reducing labor time and improving installation speed.
Key Components:
Vision Glass / Spandrel Unit
Anchor
Floor Slab
Benefits of Glazed Curtain Walls
Energy Efficiency:
High-performance glazing with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings improves thermal insulation and solar control. Different coatings can be combined to optimize performance based on climate, orientation, and project needs.Aesthetic Appeal:
The system enables large, seamless glass facades, offering diverse visual effects through customizable glass types and finishes that align with architectural intent.Natural Lighting:
Large glass areas allow for abundant daylight, enhancing indoor ambiance, visual connection to the outdoors, and occupant well-being.Sound Control:
Using acoustic glass helps mitigate external noise, especially important in urban settings or near transportation hubs like airports or train stations.Quality Control:
Unitized curtain walls enable superior quality assurance in factory settings, ensuring consistent installation of low-E coatings and system components. This method also fosters collaboration across trades, leading to more efficient project execution.
Note: While glass is the most visible element, the overall performance—thermal, acoustic, and structural—depends on how all components of the curtain wall system work together.
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