In modern medium and high-rise buildings, glass facades increasingly become indispensable elements in architectural design. Whether it is in an office building, a hotel or a residential tower, large-area glass systems are often used to enhance lighting, improve visual transparency and achieve aesthetic goals. In the glass facade system, curtain wall and window wall are the two most common forms. Although the two are very similar in appearance, there are significant differences in structural principles, installation methods, performance and applicable scenarios.
Below, we will start with the structural principles and installation methods to make a preliminary distinction between curtain wall systems and window wall systems.
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☞ Installation features
– Spanning multiple floors
– There is a certain deviation distance from the floor.
– Vertical mullions and horizontal cross frames are often used to form the system.
– It can be divided into frame type, panel type and unit type.
– A large number of assembly operations are usually carried out on the construction site.
– Fireproof partitions need to be set up to prevent the spread of fire through the facade.
– The risk of noise transmission is relatively high.
– Most curtain wall systems are not openable.
SunFrame provides a variety of curtain wall systems including exposed frame, hidden frame, Mashrabia and unit type to meet the requirements of different projects for performance, shape and construction efficiency.
Window wall is also a non-load-bearing system, but its installation method is completely different from curtain wall. The window wall system is nested between the upper and lower floors, usually anchored to the window sill and window head at the edge of the floor. Therefore, structurally speaking, it is more like a “embedded” glass wall.
☞ Installation features
– Each floor is installed separately, with a clear construction rhythm.
– High degree of prefabrication, usually transported to the site as a whole after processing in the factory.
– The installation location is closer to the interior of the building, which is relatively safer.
– Usually no additional fireproof structure is required.
– Better sound insulation, and sound is not easy to penetrate between floors.
– It is easy to realize the design of openable window sashes to improve living comfort.
– Relatively low cost and short construction period.
If your project focuses more on economy, installation efficiency and internal comfort, SunFrame curtain wall system provides an ideal solution that takes into account functionality and visual beauty.
Next is the difference analysis between curtain wall and window wall in performance and cost.
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Item | Curtain wall system | Window wall system |
Installation location | Outside the floor | Between the floors |
Is it load-bearing? | No | No |
Cross-layer capacity | Can cross multiple floor | Independent for each floor |
Fireproof partition | Required | Usually not required |
Openability | Generally fixed | Designed with opening sashes |
Noise isolation | No this function | Good noise control |
Construction safety | External hanging operation, with higher risk | Operation between floors, relatively safer |
Construction efficiency | More on-site assembly, longer time | Highly prefabricated, fast installation |
Cost | Higher | Lower |
Common applications | High-end commercial complexes, landmark buildings | Office buildings, apartments, high-rise residential projects |
The third point is to compare the flexibility of curtain walls and window walls in aesthetic and functional design.
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Although curtain walls and window walls can achieve continuous glass visual effects on the facade, curtain walls usually have stronger appearance continuity and are suitable for projects with extremely high requirements for design integrity. Window walls can achieve a visually “seamless” effect through slab bypass covers, making up for the structural characteristics of each floor segment.
The SunFrame system supports a variety of decorative shapes, including a variety of glass options, shading systems, and Middle Eastern-style systems such as Mashrabia, helping to create a modern facade that blends with the environment.
Finally, we combine the above differences between curtain walls and window walls to give suggestions for their respective application scenarios.
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☞ Scenarios for choosing curtain walls
– Pursue visual continuity and facade integration.
– The building height is greater than the conventional residential standard.
– The facade has complex geometric or special-shaped design requirements.
– Projects with higher requirements for structural integrity, airtightness and wind load performance.
☞ Scenarios for choosing window walls
– Projects with strict budget control.
– Residential and apartment projects need to have openable windows.
– There is a need to shorten the construction period and improve installation efficiency.
– There is a practical use demand for sound insulation and fire safety.
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Although curtain walls and window walls have similar functions and can both provide modern glass facades, they are essentially different in terms of structural logic, performance and economy. Architects, developers and construction teams should reasonably choose the appropriate glass facade system according to the project’s height, purpose, budget, construction period and design intent to find the best balance between aesthetics, function and cost.
But no matter which system you choose, SunFrame is always try his best to being your trusted curtain wall partner by providing innovative, reliable and sustainable facade solutions for buildings globally.
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