A curtain walling system is a thin, aluminum-framed wall with glass in-fills that is attached to the building structure. The framed wall does not carry the building floor or roof loads; these are transferred to the underlying structure. The framed walls support gravity and wind loads, while also resisting the imposed seismic loads of the building.

Curtain walling is a great option for large buildings with many spandrel areas. This system can be very visually appealing and it is possible to achieve some very unique design features with this type of cladding. This type of cladding is very popular in high-rise buildings and can be used to create a very modern appearance.

Revolutionizing Architecture: The Versatility and Elegance of Curtain Wall Systems

The curtain wall consists of an infill of varying sizes and shapes that is supported by the mullions that are placed within each frame. A curtain wall can be designed with an unlimited number of glazed units, making it very versatile in design.

There are three different curtain wall systems: face-sealed, water-managed and pressure-equalized. The face-sealed system requires perfect sealing between the frame and infill to prevent air leakage. The water-managed system includes moisture drains to stop the intrusion of moisture in the frame. The pressure-equalized system blocks all forces and provides the highest resistance to air and water infiltration.

Typically, the curtain wall is designed to deflect up to a certain limit, depending on the location of the project. A common deflection limit is L/175, which is based on experience with the movement that is unlikely to damage the glass held by the mullions.