If you have ever walked past a modern office building and noticed that the entire outer wall appears to be made of glass, floor to ceiling, spanning multiple storeys, what you were looking at was almost certainly a curtain wall. Curtain walling installation is the process of fitting these large glazed facade systems onto commercial and high-rise buildings, and while it might look straightforward from the street, the decisions behind it have a significant impact on how comfortable, energy-efficient, and secure a building turns out to be.
What Actually Goes Into a Curtain Wall
It is not an integral part of the structure; rather, it is hung from the structure as a skin, which keeps away rain and snow while allowing light inside. This system involves aluminium framing, glazing, sealing, and fixing in order to achieve a water-tight and energy-efficient cladding system. If it is done successfully, then it not only changes the appearance of the building, but also reduces the need for artificial lighting in it. If it is done unsuccessfully, it will result in draft, leakages, and never-ending heating bills.
There are two main systems for installing curtain walling in the UK, namely unitised and stick systems.
Built in the Factory, Finished on Site
Unitised curtain walling is exactly what it sounds like, the wall panels are assembled in a factory, shipped to site as complete units, and lifted into position floor by floor. Each panel arrives ready to go, fully glazed and sealed, and simply clips into the one above and below it.
For taller buildings, this approach has clear advantages. The factory environment means better quality control, every panel is checked before it leaves. On site, installation is faster because less work needs to happen at height. Since the panels fit into one another so well, the final outcome will most likely look very consistent. In case your project includes an office building with several floors, a hotel, or any other building in which timing and consistency are important, it is more advantageous to go for unitised curtain walling.
The On-Site Alternative: Flexible and Cost-Effective
Stick system curtain walling works differently. Rather than being delivered as a completed panel, the structure is assembled bit by bit on-site, beginning with the aluminium framework and then followed by the insertion of the glass into it. This may take longer, but it does offer something that a unitized assembly lacks, flexibility.
If a building has an unusual shape, varying floor heights, or sections where the design changes frequently, stick system curtain walling can be adapted more easily as the work progresses. It is also generally less expensive on smaller projects or lower-rise buildings where the speed advantages of unitised panels are less significant. Many UK commercial buildings use a combination of both, unitised on the main tower sections, stick system on the lower or more complex areas.
Choosing the Right Curtain Walling Contractors
The quality of the finished installation depends enormously on who carries it out. Curtain walling contractors are specialists, this is not a job for a general building contractor who handles glazing occasionally. The best curtain walling contractors understand how to fix the system to the building structure safely, how to seal every joint properly against the UK’s rain and wind, and how to ensure the thermal performance of the finished wall matches what was promised at the design stage.
Before hiring a person for the job, it would be good to ask for samples of projects similar to the one being offered, make sure that they have enough insurance, and also that they will offer a written warranty on their workmanship. A contractor who believes in his workmanship won’t hesitate when asked for these things.
What UK Buildings Need to Get Right
The British climate really gives curtain walling a work-out. The ideal curtain wall copes with all of that effortlessly, without any effort being needed on its behalf, no leaks, draughts or wind rattling noises. To achieve that, the correct products, the correct curtain walling system for your particular building and good curtain walling installation by an expert team is required.
Whether you are constructing a new commercial building, refurbishing an existing building, or just seeking to understand what glazed façade projects entail, the basics are quite simple. Unitised curtain walling systems work best for high and fast programme buildings. Stick system curtain walling offers flexibility for more complex or lower-rise schemes, and experienced curtain walling contractors are the difference between a facade that performs well for decades and one that causes problems from the day the scaffolding comes down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between unitised and stick system curtain walling?
Unitised panels are pre-built in a factory and lifted into place; stick systems are assembled on site piece by piece, unitised is faster and suits taller buildings, stick systems are more flexible for complex shapes.
How long does curtain walling installation take?
It varies by building size, but most commercial projects run from a few weeks for smaller facades to several months for large multi-storey installations, early planning and a clear programme make the biggest difference.
How do I know if a curtain walling contractor is reliable?
Ask for examples of completed projects of a similar scale, check their insurance, and ask for a written workmanship warranty, a reputable contractor will provide all three without hesitation.
Can curtain walling be installed on an existing building?
Yes, curtain walling is often used in commercial refurbishments to replace tired facades and improve a building’s thermal performance and appearance, though the structural fixing points need to be assessed carefully beforehand.
