Curtain Wall System Diagram

Curtain walls generally fall into two basic categories that are based on their method of fabrication and installation.

Curtain wall system diagram.

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. Curtain wall system technology has developed over the years into a proliferation of highly engineered design. Making a decision between curtain wall and window wall can be tricky due to the many variables that should be considered for building envelope systems. In the stick system the curtain wall frame mullions and glass or opaque panels are installed and connected together piece by piece.

In stick construction the curtain wall frame is constructed mainly on site with mullions and transoms supporting glass spandrel panels metal panels and brise soleils connected piece by piece. Kawneer does not control the selection of product configurations operating hardware or glazing materials and assumes no responsibility therefor. When glass is used as the curtain wall an advantage is that natural light can penetrate deeper within the building. Facades involves window wall cladding elements and curtain walls which generates the exterior envelope of the building.

The curtain wall systems now possess structural importance equivalent. Each mullion is usually supported by the floor or perimeter beams. A curtain wall is designed to resist air and water infiltration as well as sway created by wind and seismic forces and its own weight. The wall transfers wind loads to the main building structure also known as the main wind force resisting system mwfrs at connection points in the floors or columns of the building.

Since the curtain wall is non structural it can be made of lightweight materials thereby reducing construction costs. These are unitized or modular systems figure 9 2a b and stick systems figure 9 3a b in the stick system the curtain wall frame mullions and glazing panels are installed and connected together piece by piece. Laws and building and safety codes governing the design and use of kawneer products such as glazed entrance window and curtain wall products vary widely. The author worked in construction industry for 5 years and working in façade.