Renowned for its lightweight nature, aluminium is easier to handle and install compared to other construction materials. Despite this, aluminium is remarkably strong and durable. This inherent strength, in combination with the structural design of curtain walling, ensures that an aluminium curtain walling system can withstand powerful environmental forces such as wind, rain, and even seismic activity, providing a safe and super stable building envelope. Allowing excellent ventilation, despite being highly weather resistant is why a aluminium curtain walling is such a popular choice for public buildings such as hospitals and universities. It keeps a healthy flow of air running throughout the building whilst at the same time protecting the building’s inhabitants from the elements.

Aluminium curtain walling systems are engineered to offer exceptional thermal insulation. This is crucial for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures as well as minimising energy loss. Advanced thermal technology and insulating materials can be integrated into the design of aluminium curtain walling, helping to reduce heating and cooling costs. Increasing the overall energy efficiency of a building is a key requirement given by clients to many architects today and aluminium curtain walling often fits the brief perfectly.

Aluminium curtain walling enables architects to work with a massive range of client briefs and can bring their most creative visions to life. Aluminium’s inherent flexibility allows for the creation of a variety of shapes, curves, and configurations, and is held in high regard for unique building design. Indeed, some of the most iconic buildings in the world have been constructed with an aluminium curtain wall as their exterior. The sleek and modern appearance of aluminium complements various architectural styles, providing a visually appealing façade that stands out in urban landscapes.

A huge benefit of aluminium curtain walling is that it wears incredibly well and requires minimal maintenance over its lifespan. Because aluminium has a natural resistance to corrosion, the façade retains its original appearance for decades. This type of endurance not only reduces ongoing maintenance costs in the short run, but also extends the life of the building in the long run which makes it an attractive investment for developers and property owners.

With the ability to incorporate large glass panels into the design of a curtain wall system, this allows an abundance of natural light to flood interior spaces. With lots of focus today on health and wellness, the access to natural light in any building and workplace is a top priority when it comes to building design. Natural light enhances the occupants’ well-being by providing a more pleasant and open environment. It also reduces the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. By maximising natural light, buildings with aluminium curtain walling can significantly reduce their energy consumption, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.

Because aluminium curtain walls can be prefabricated offsite, and are incredibly lightweight, faster construction project timelines can be implemented when compared to other building methods. This helps to reduce labour costs, and management of workers, which further shortens the overall construction timeline, allowing buildings to be completed more quickly. This is especially valuable for commercial projects seeking a swift return on investment or when refurbishment turnaround times need to be fast to reduce the impact on customer experience or sales.

Being one of the most highly recyclable materials in the world without compromising its quality, Aluminium is an eco-friendly choice for sustainable construction. Aluminium uses 95% less energy to recycle than to produce from raw material so is a truly sustainable material. Not only is aluminium curtain walling an attractive and modern option for building design, it’s use also demonstrates a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of construction projects and promoting a circular economy.

An aluminium curtain wall is an external framework, separate from the main construction of a building. It is non structural which provides architects with more design freedom when it comes to the exterior of a building. Also sometimes called façade or curtain glazing, it is a framework constructed from aluminium and glass with no limitations to the size or shape of it’s finished structure.

There are two types of curtain walling most commonly used in industry:

Pressure Equalised Systems – this system uses gaskets, pressure plates and external cappings which are designed to provide a finish that is impervious to any moisture.

Face Sealed Systems – this system uses a glass to glass framework whereby utter precision is required when sealing the interface.

Usually, a curtain walling system will rely on aluminium mullions and transoms to support the main structure. The bars that make up the main grid for the walling can come in custom sizes and depths depending on the design.

In the past, aluminium curtain walling would have typically been used for large, public buildings such as shopping centres or office blocks. But in recent years, it has also started being utilised for residential properties and smaller buildings as well. The reason for its use on large buildings is that it has very few design limitations. It’s ability to be used to cover vast exterior spaces means that architects and builders can create buildings that have clean lines and a modern appearance with the benefit of being cost effective too, which we’ll go into more detail about later.

The transformative qualities that using an aluminium curtain walling possesses is quite remarkable. It’s prevailing use in architecture for nearly 100yrs, is evidence that it remains a popular choice for creating not only functional and durable building exteriors but also stunning ones too – where a designer intends. Because of a curtain walling’s flexibility in terms of size and style, a designer can create structures fabricated solely of glass which is a quality entirely unique to itself.

In addition to its design appeal, a glass curtain wall has wonderful structural advantages as well. Because it is manufactured out of aluminium, which is a notoriously lightweight material, it can support its own weight efficiently when compared to other building exterior options. This makes the need for expensive additional foundations surplus to requirement, passing on a cost saving benefit to the client. Despite its lightweight character, curtain glazing is substantially stronger than windows alone. On top of this, the systems used to create a glass curtain wall make it fully sealed against the elements. The failsafe weatherproofing that aluminium curtain walling provides means it is a durable, hardy and long lasting way to protect a building.

Once upon a time, the requirement for a decent amount of daylight within a building may have been considered a frivolous luxury. Nowadays, it’s more or less an essential design stipulation, with exposure to daylight being linked to increased wellbeing and good health. The wealth and quality of light that an aluminium curtain wall affords within a building, is second to none. Indeed, a designer can choose to have the entire exterior of a building constructed just from glass. More frequently, it is used to cover multiple floors or segment between floors. Or sometimes the whole of a side or entrance floor to a building.

Curtain glazing also carries the ability to be used for creating curved shapes to the outside of a building. This sets it apart from other types of materials because not only can it be used in this way, it is also usually an affordable option for most developers who want something special but are working within the limitations of a budget.

The majority of projects that incorporate the use of an aluminium frames and curtain walling, do so for it’s use of glass. However, other materials can be utilised as well which provides a vast choice for colours, finishes and textures. This makes it hugely appealing for projects where brand integrity is a big consideration.

The fact that facade glazing can look so beautiful, is one of the main reasons that it has started being used more frequently in residential architecture. Light and space are design benefits that more and more homeowners are demanding.
Regardless of the building project, because glass and aluminium can both be budget friendly materials to source, the spectacular design a curtain glazing administers doesn’t need to cost the earth!

The team at Crucial Engineering are a national commercial aluminium fabricator. We manufacture, install and maintain commercial aluminium products to create high quality and secure access solutions. When you work with us you can be sure of a fantastic long term relationship including expert aluminium fabrication services alongside the very best customer service.

A curtain wall is non-structural so separate from the building itself and whilst any building should keep out the wind and rain, a curtain wall adds a layer of protection. It should insulate as well as block out the elements, and due to their cost effective maintenance they are ideal for locations with heavier rainfall.

Obviously the extra protection is more important but the fact that an aluminium curtain wall adds fantastic looks make them extremely popular with architects and building designers.

Adding a curtain wall will instantly create the look of an incredibly modern building with clean lines and flexible finishes. This along with the fact it’s lightweight means building designers have freedom to create imaginative structures. No matter if you’re designing a curved building, one with interesting angles or need classic straight lines, aluminium curtain walling is flexible enough to bring it to life.

In addition, if you’re wanting to create a totally unique look you can look to use a range of materials and shapes within your curtain walling. For example, you may choose to use coloured or shaped glass, or use triangles rather than the usual square or rectangles.

Natural light is always an important consideration in any building design. It doesn’t matter what the building’s purpose is, any building from office blocks to retail spaces, strive for natural light to create uplifting environments.

Plus, large amounts of natural light will also save on energy costs from artificial lighting. Large bright and airy spaces will also increase the value of the building as the space will instantly become more attractive to buyers or tenants.

In environments where large amounts of bright sunshine can be expected, a curtain wall can be fitted with glass with UV filters to protect the contents inside. This is ideal for buildings containing items of historical importance such as museums.

Depending on the design of the building structure, introducing opportunities to allow large amounts of natural light can be complex. This is where aluminium curtain walls are so useful as it’s relatively simple to add a lot of glazing for light to pass through.

We’ve already discussed how curtain walling is great at keeping the elements out, but they’re also amazing insulators which makes it easier to regulate inside temperatures. This further adds long term cost savings through reduced energy compared to more traditional building methods.