What Is The Difference Between A Window Wall And A Curtain Wall?

Simply put, the main difference between unitized curtain wall system and unitized window wall system is that the window wall system structurally sits between the suspended reinforced concrete slabs while the curtain wall sysytem is hung off the slab edges by anchors... Other difference between window wall and curtain wall also be compared, including the two systems' constructability, cost, and maintainability.

How Are Curtain Walls Installed?

When it comes to how are curtain walls installed, upright mullions are typically the first component to be installed. Afterward, the horizontal mullions and glazing are installed as a single unit. Column cover and spandrel systems articulate the building frame by aligning mullions to structural columns. Pre-assembled or field-assembled infill units of glass or opaque panels are fitted between the column covers.

Why Is It Called Curtain Wall?

A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, utilized only to keep the weather out and the occupants in. Since the curtain wall system is non-structural, it can be made of lightweight materials, thereby reducing construction costs.

What Is The Purpose Of A Curtain Wall?

The primary purpose of a curtain wall system is to protect the building interior against the exterior natural phenomena such as sun exposure, temperature changes, earthquake, rain, and wind. This protection can be separated into two major categories, namely structural safety and interior environmental control.

How Thick Is A Curtain Wall?

In residential construction, thicknesses commonly used are 1/8 inch (3 mm) monolithic and 5/8 inch (16 mm) insulating glass. Larger thicknesses are typically employed for buildings or areas with higher thermal, relative humidity, or sound transmission requirements, such as laboratory areas or recording studios.

Curtain Wall

Curtain wall systems are widely used around the world to clad medium and tall towers. Curtain wall panels systems are prefabricated off-site and shipped to site. To ensure that these panels meet high standards of quality and performance, it's essential to source them from a reputable curtain wall manufacturer.

Types of Curtain Wall

Unitized Curtain Wall

Curtain wall members like mullion, transom, glass, insulation, metal panel and related accessories, are processed and prefabricated as a complete panel in factory and send to jobsite for unitized curtain wall installation. Many people will choose it because of advantages of unitized curtain wall system, such as a shorter project schedule, reduced field installation costs, and improved airtightness and waterproofness.
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Stick Curtain Wall

Stick system curtain wall, which the members were pre-processed in curtain wall factory and sent to jobsite as parts, requires a skillful stick curtain wall installation team. It is popular among various curtain wall types. Subframe installation and glazing both are done on-site. The weather sealant provides the major waterproof. It allows for easier detailing of connections and larger tolerances in the building structure.
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Window Wall

Or unitized window wall system, spans only a single floor, is supported by the slab below and above, and is therefore installed within the slab edge. Like unitized curtain wall system, the window frame, glass and related accessories were processed and assembled in window wall manufacturers and installed on-site panel by panel.
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Stick Curtain Wall VS Unitized Curtain Wall Systems

The general option with curtain walls is making a choice between two types of curtain wall systems, a unitized or stick system. In a stick curtain wall panel system, the curtain-wall frame (mullions) and glass or opaque panels are installed and connected together piece by piece. In the unitized system, the curtain wall is composed of large units that are assembled and glazed in the factory, shipped to the site, and erected on the building. Vertical and horizontal mullions of the modules mate together with the adjoining modules. Modules are generally constructed one story tall and one module wide but may incorporate multiple modules.

Facade size: The larger the size, the more suitable it is to choose the unitized curtain wall system installation. Giving a rule of thumb, CAS advises unitizing for more than 5,000 square meters and sticking if the facade is less than 3,000 square meters, as there isn't enough space to achieve the economy of scale to justify unitized.

Degree of repetition: If the floor height is constant and the distance between mullions is repetitive, then breaking the facade into units of a similar size—as is the case with unitization—and prefabricating them in the factory makes sense.

Shape and dimensions: Taller buildings above six floors are more suitable for unitized systems, but a low, extended building is a better fit for the stick.

Planarity: If dealing with flat, vertical walls, the on-site assembly of a stick system will be best. But once slope, three-dimensional slopes, and the like are added, the preference shifts to unitized. According to Sola, the same applies for penetrations. The more brackets required for external sunshades, for instance, the more prefabrication is favored.

Allowance for structural movements: If the project is in a seismic zone and/or if shear or floor-to-floor movements are to be expected, then the ideal choice is unitized.

Unitized Curtain Wall System Benefits

Keep out the weather. First and foremost, curtain wall systems offer excellent weather protection. This not only improves the performance of the building but will increase its durability as well.

Resist water penetration. Curtain walls are designed to prevent water from penetrating the system and to keep the interior of the building dry.

Reduce building sway. Curtain walls are specially designed to disperse stress from sources such as high winds, improving the overall steadiness of the building.

Increase energy efficiency. By using glass that is treated and glazed properly, curtain wall systems can reduce the amount of heat lost or gained by a building. Better thermal efficiency can lead to reduced energy consumption in the building.

Improve fire resistance. Curtain wall systems can help slow down the spread of fire by acting as a barrier and compartmentalizing a building. The specialized fire-resistant glass will help protect occupants and the building itself.

Elevate building appearance. Glass curtain walls can create a classy appearance for both high-rise buildings and low-rise buildings.

Superior visuals. The large glass panels of a curtain wall improve visibility and increase natural light, making the interior of the buildings better too.

Versatile design options. Curtain wall systems can be designed and manufactured to a wide range of specifications to suit the specific aesthetic and practical needs of a project.

Why Casfacade As Your Curtain Wall Supplier?

CAS Facade is your facades, windows one-stop solution provider, and specialist. As one of the leading curtain wall system manufacturers, we own a professional design team, production team, and QAQC team with years of experience from the Permasteelisa Group and Yuanda Group. Since set up in 2018, CAS has cooperated with lots of famous builders around the world. As a company dedicated to curtain wall manufacture, we're well-equipped to meet your needs.

CAS Facade can provide you:

Tender conceptual design;

VM/VE options;

Visual mock-ups, Performance Mockups;

Detail shop drawings with 3D modeling, up to LOD 400;

Facade systems structural and thermal calculations;

Onsite design and coordination meetings;

REG126 and FP1.4 certificate if required;

As for our current factory setup, we have:

12000 m2 modernized curtain wall workshop;

With total 3 independent production lines with 3 constant temperature glazing rooms;

Equipped with advanced CNC processing center;

FAQs of Curtain Wall

What Is The Difference Between A Window Wall And A Curtain Wall?

Simply put, the main difference between unitized curtain wall system and unitized window wall system is that the window wall system structurally sits between the suspended reinforced concrete slabs while the curtain wall sysytem is hung off the slab edges by anchors... Other difference between window wall and curtain wall also be compared, including the two systems' constructability, cost, and maintainability.
How Are Curtain Walls Installed?

When it comes to how are curtain walls installed, upright mullions are typically the first component to be installed. Afterward, the horizontal mullions and glazing are installed as a single unit. Column cover and spandrel systems articulate the building frame by aligning mullions to structural columns. Pre-assembled or field-assembled infill units of glass or opaque panels are fitted between the column covers.
Why Is It Called Curtain Wall?

A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, utilized only to keep the weather out and the occupants in. Since the curtain wall system is non-structural, it can be made of lightweight materials, thereby reducing construction costs.
What Is The Purpose Of A Curtain Wall?

The primary purpose of a curtain wall system is to protect the building interior against the exterior natural phenomena such as sun exposure, temperature changes, earthquake, rain, and wind. This protection can be separated into two major categories, namely structural safety and interior environmental control.
How Thick Is A Curtain Wall?

In residential construction, thicknesses commonly used are 1/8 inch (3 mm) monolithic and 5/8 inch (16 mm) insulating glass. Larger thicknesses are typically employed for buildings or areas with higher thermal, relative humidity, or sound transmission requirements, such as laboratory areas or recording studios.