Types Of Curtain Walls And Their Advantages

Curtain wall systems have been around since the 1930s, and their use has rapidly increased. Their service has risen quickly with more and more high-rise buildings in the development. They look good and play an essential role in the building structure, the same as other structural elements.

What is a Curtain Wall

It's a thin aluminum frame wall that can accommodate several fillings, for example, metal panels, light stones, or glass. The frame is joined to the building carefully since it does not hold the floor or roof load; however, it relies on the structures of the building, especially the floor line.

Curtain walls are exposed to the atmosphere; therefore, they must be designed and installed correctly. Curtain walls are pre-set systems assembled on site. They are two types of curtain wall systems defined by the process of assembly:

· Stick Curtain Wall system

· Unitised Curtain wall system

Stick Curtain Wall System 

This type of system is assembled in pieces on the building structure. Because it's crucial to have exterior access to higher elevations, it mainly applies to low-rise buildings. The system allows on-site changes, meaning it's flexible and versatile. Its components can be machined, cut, scaled, and assembled to fit specific project measurements.

Advantages of Employing the Stick Curtain Wall System

The stick curtain wall system presents several advantages. Here are a few major ones to consider:

· The system offers smaller sight lines compared to unitized components, making them suitable for all structures

· Its factors offer cheaper transportation due to onsite alterations and assembly capability, although this factor affects time and labor. However, extra time used in assembly can be cut short through speedy manufacturing and the system's flexibility for quick alterations.

· Stick curtain walls are easy to maintain because most of their assembly is done in a properly regulated setting.

Unitised Curtain Wall System

In this form of the curtain wall system, pieces are pre-assembled in the factory, after which they are installed as a single unit. Pre-assembly negates individual installation; the unit's dimension is proportionate to the building's floor-to-floor measurements (height and width). Since external support is not required, they are primarily employed in high-rise buildings.

All that is needed is small cranes or temporary lifting equipment. This system benefits from the quick assembly, and good quality of products since the parts are manufactured in a factory setting.

Advantages of Employing Unitised Wall System

· One key advantage of unitized systems is a quick installation. After all, the significant panels are already constructed and prepared for installation. However, The panels may not be ready for a few weeks due to the pre-fabrication procedure, which can take quite some time to be done effectively.

· Typically, vast panels are constructed in a climate-controlled setting. The panels are therefore referred to as high grade or conforming to requirements. To maintain excellent standards, panel engineers can check the manufacturing and glazing processes.

· In addition to good quality, unitized systems reduce the labor required, saving money and resulting in less installation time than stick systems. Overall, this results in fewer days or weeks of work.

Collective advantages of curtain walls 

Curtain walls are easier and lighter on the building than cement or other wall materials. It also allows light to pass through since transparent materials can be used as fillings. In addition to preventing moisture or dust, the walls safeguard against fire, reducing the chances of it spreading from floor to floor.

There is relatively minimal upkeep needed for these kinds of walls. The walls can appear glossy and lustrous through a simple water wash. They always sparkle after one wash and add significantly to the building's aesthetic appeal.

Curtain walls help to protect the entire building from damage by horizontal winds. Apart from the advantages mentioned above, curtain walls still have more to offer. In fact, due to most of these benefits, commercial buildings prefer to use curtain walls compared to other types of walls.

The walls can safeguard the whole building from extreme damage if horizontal winds are present. Simply, the walls present various advantages that apply to a variety of building sets. The face of current buildings has been altered with the application of curtain walls. In other words, the addition of curtain walls has altered the appearance of recently built structures.

Functions of Curtain wall systems

Eliminating water penetration

Curtain walls provide a completely sealed and impermeable panel system. It offers two stages of water prevention: Primary level and Secondary level. If it is unsuccessful at the primary level, it must be directed to drain away by the secondary level.

Air impermeability

This role is more concerned with protecting the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions caused by the level of heat gain and loss in the interior or exterior environments.

Resistance to acoustic, wind, and thermal actions

The structure levels serve as a linear anchor for the facades, which transfers wind actions to them. Huge panel structural cladding systems are generally one-way spanning. Consequently, every floor level of a tower can handle an equal degree of wind load. A facade must have an insulation function to properly decrease energy use and CO2 emissions. 

Acoustic insulation is also essential between the interior and the exterior environment, particularly for city-centered buildings. Massive structural components like masonry or concrete structures have better acoustic insulation.

Solar levels

You can minimize solar radiation by applying a specific solar control layer on some of the glass surfaces. This coating is known as selective since it allows different wavelengths of solar radiation to permeate in a particular manner. Light rays are permitted to travel through the film more readily than infrared light. For instance, UV radiation can cause material displays or exhibition rooms to deteriorate: to solve this issue, you may add a UV-inhibiting coating to the glazing surface.

Conclusion

Curtain walls have become the new face of high-rise buildings by presenting a slick and clean finish to modern architectural designs. Far from the aesthetic appeal curtain wall systems present, Weiye Aluminum offers a host of befits ranging from convenience to efficiency in transportation, overall affordability, and application.