SHOPFRONTS
Curtain Walling
Our curtain wall systems are non-structural glazing systems for building exteriors. Although they are typically associated with large, multi-storey buildings, they are also becoming increasingly popular as an aesthetic element in the UK’s major retailers, supermarkets and shopping centres. This is because they combine the striking grandeur of tall, imposing glass structures with the light and airy interiors of naturally lit open-plan offices.
Curtain walls are thin walls, usually made of glass with an aluminum frame, attached to the exterior structure of a building. Curtain walls do not support the loads of a building’s roof or floors; they only keep out air and water and reduce sway caused by high winds. Curtain walls are connected to the building’s floors and columns, transferring horizontal loads from wind and gravity to stabilize the structure.
The system is used to withstand all weather conditions and allow excellent natural light into the buildings for which the curtain wall is designed. Curtain wall systems are made from lightweight materials and are very economical, which is why they are a popular choice in the UK construction industry. They also provide a robust and structurally impressive façade with thermal insulation properties, but do not support the structural load of the building other than their own weight, and there are little or no combustible elements on the exterior of the building. Curtain walls therefore also act as a fire stop, slowing or preventing the spread of fire between floors of a building.