The Difference between Windows and Curtain Walls

What is a curtain wall? It may sound unfamiliar, but in fact it is very common in our daily life and can often be seen in large buildings.

Understanding curtain walls

A curtain wall, also known as a "curtain walling", is the outer wall enclosure of a building that is not load-bearing but is hung like a curtain, hence the name. Curtain walls are mainly used in modern large and tall buildings. They are lightweight walls with decorative effects that do not bear the load of large buildings. Curtain walls are composed of panels and support structures, so they have a certain displacement or deformation ability relative to the main structure. Therefore, they exist as the building's external protective structure or decorative structure, and not as a component responsible for the building's load-bearing function.

What is the difference between windows and curtain walls?

An aluminum frame glass curtain wall is a building outer structure composed of metal components and glass panels. Windows are protective components of a building's structure, mainly for lighting and ventilation. They are composed of window frames and sashes, and are divided into wooden windows, steel windows, aluminum windows, and plastic steel windows according to the frame materials, and into flat opening windows, hanging windows, standing and revolving windows, sliding windows, and fixed windows according to the opening methods. The difference between the two is that curtain walls are generally used for building exterior decoration and lighting, and their area is relatively large, while the area of windows is relatively small.

What are the advantages of curtain walls?

Lightweight

Compared to the same area, the weight of a glass curtain wall is about 1/10 to 1/12 of a plastered brick wall, 1/15 of a marble or granite wet method wall, and 1/5 to 1/7 of a concrete hanging board. The use of curtain walls can greatly reduce the weight of the building and reduce the cost of foundation engineering.

Flexible design

Curtain walls have excellent artistic effects, and architects can design various different shapes according to their needs, and choose different colors to make it more coordinated with the surrounding environment and produce different visual effects with the light. They can also reduce the sense of oppression in high-rise buildings.

Strong earthquake resistance

Because curtain walls are designed with flexibility, they have strong wind and earthquake resistance, making them the best choice for all tall buildings.

Systematic construction

Systematic construction can better control the construction period and is relatively short.

Modernization

They can improve the novelty and technology of the building, such as photovoltaic energy-saving curtain walls and double-layer ventilation breathing curtain walls that are designed with intelligent technology.

Easy to upgrade and repair

Since it is erected on the external structure of the building, it is easy to maintain or upgrade.