Curtain Fitting & Installation

The curtain wall is the most airtight and weather resistant cladding and exterior wall system available. This article provides an overview of the components of modern glass and aluminum curtain walls, their design features, performance and durability characteristics. It also provides the architect or designer with knowledge of the technology of curtain wall design with respect to air leakage control, rain penetration control, heat loss (or gain) control and condensation control.

Consideration is given to testing of a new curtain wall system design. This article also provides sample design details of curtain wall connections at grade, soffits, head and sill conditions, parapets and at connections with other cladding and wall systems such as brick or precast exterior cladding and wall systems. This article does not review the structural design of aluminum curtain walls systems nor does it review storefronts, sloped glazing or skylights.