Exploring the Benefits of Aluminium Curtain Walling

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.