What are the main components of a curtain wall?

Components of a Curtain Wall

• Transom.
• Mullions.
• Vision Glass.
• Anchor.

What are curtain wall systems?

A Curtain Wall System serves as an external cladding for glass architecture and buildings with non-structural outer walls. Typically, a Curtain Wall System consists of aluminum-framed commercial glass or metal planes.

How thick is a curtain wall system?

In residential construction, thicknesses commonly used are 1/8 inch (3 mm) monolithic and 5/8 inch (16 mm) insulating glass.

What is the function of 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.

What are advantages of 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 tall can curtain walls be?

Curtain wall: In the most basic sense of the term, the curtain wall is any non-load-bearing exterior wall that hangs (like a curtain) from the floor slabs. Curtain wall can be 25 feet or higher, depending on the design of the building.

Where is curtain wall used?

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.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of curtain wall?

The advantages of curtain walls

• Curtain walling is lightweight.
• Curtain walls let the light in.
• Curtain walls are aesthetically pleasing.
• Curtain walling is safe.
• What if too much light comes in?
• Curtain walling needs maintenance.
• Curtain walls are harder to install.

What are the disadvantages of curtain walls?

Disadvantages of curtain walls These materials can become vulnerable against weather elements (rusting, mineral deposits, stains). As a result, they require regular maintenance to keep their aesthetic value intact. Construction costs may also increase significantly because of the addition of a curtain wall.

How far can a curtain wall span?

Today, appropriately designed curtain wall systems incorporating long, continuous steel back members can handle up to 40-foot free spans in a single member without splicing.

What are the advantages of curtain wall?

Advantages of Curtain Walls

• Keeping Out Air and Water. Curtain walls have the primary purpose of keeping air and water out of the building, essentially acting as both a buffer and an insulator.
• Reducing Building Sway.
• Slowing the Spread of Fire.
• Thermal Efficiency.
• Appearance and Attractiveness.

What is the biggest advantage of the curtain wall system?

How is curtain wall supported?

Support of Curtain Walls In stick-framed aluminum curtain wall, vertical mullions commonly run past two floors, with a combined gravity/lateral anchor at one floor and a lateral anchor only at the other.