What are the advantages of a curtain wall?
Curtain walls have the primary purpose of keeping air and water out of the building, essentially acting as both a buffer and an insulator. Buildings that have curtain walls will be easier (and more affordable) to maintain, and will last longer in general, as they have this additional protective shield build in.
How long does curtain wall last?
Both curtain walls and window walls require maintenance to maximize their service life. Perimeter sealants, when properly designed and installed, have a typical service life of 10 to 15 years (Vigener, 2016).
How does a curtain wall system work?
Curtain walls separate the interior from the exterior, but only support their own weight and the loads imposed on them (such as wind loads, seismic loads, and so on) which they transfer back to the primary structure of the building.
What do you mean by curtain wall?
A curtain wall is defined as thin, usually aluminum-framed wall, containing in-fills of glass, metal panels, or thin stone. The framing is attached to the building structure and does not carry the floor or roof loads of the building. Custom walls become cost competitive with standard systems as the wall area increases.
Why are curtain walls glazing?
Interior and exterior glass curtain walls: Interior glazed systems allow for glass or opaque panel installation into the curtain wall openings from the interior of the building. Exterior glazing systems work well for low rise construction projects that allow for easy access to the exterior of the building.
How much do curtain walls cost?
The cost of installing a glass curtain wall for the first time ranges from $25 to $75 per square foot, resulting in a cost of $200 to $600 per linear foot for an 8-foot wall. Replacing an existing wall with a glass curtain wall is more expensive, since the original wall must be removed.
Why is it called a curtain wall?
A curtain wall 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 is non-structural, it can be made of lightweight materials, such as glass, thereby potentially reducing construction costs.
What are the disadvantages of curtain walls?
The main disadvantage of curtain walls is that their construction and maintenance costs more than another wall system. During the construction phase, they require more glass and aluminum to construct than a window-wall system, which is achieved by simply placing glazing between each floor slab in a building.
Why choose a curtain wall over a window wall?
A curtain wall is able to handle moisture, temperature, and wind more efficiently than a window wall. Adhering to local building codes that require firestopping and knock-out glazing panels can add to the building expense and can increase the cost of maintenance.
Are curtain walls energy-efficient?
Although curtain walls provide architectural and possibly energy efficiency benefits, they still have their disadvantages. For example, curtain walls can drastically increase the cost of construction and maintenance. It’s similar to putting a curtain inside the home to cover the window.
How do curtain walls reduce building sway?
In tall buildings, building sway can be uncomfortable for inhabitants to endure. Curtain walls help reduce sway by dispersing kinetic force throughout the entire frame, which also makes it safer. In particular, a properly glazed curtain wall will improve the thermal efficiency of a building and will cut down on operating costs.