Get a Complete Business Makeover with Aluminium Framed Curtain Walls

Aluminium framed curtain walls excite anyone skilled at structural makeovers on existing buildings, renovations, or remodelling projects. Understanding the medium, its versatility, and aesthetics can transform a drab exterior into a stunning landmark. 

When a building is admired, it is making a statement and the name of the business using it often becomes its identification. That alone can catapult an enterprise from the backwaters to niche front row seats in commercial estimation.

Another plus for project managers, designers, architects, and building owners is the environmentally friendly factors brought about with the intelligent use of aluminium framed curtain walling. We’ll get to more of that later.

Whether replacing brick and mortar with aluminium framed curtain walling or using it as a skin or envelope on the exterior of a building, its use will see it applied for decades to come. Used as a more traditional ‘curtain’, the system preserves antique and historic architecture from elemental wear and tear. 

Aluminium Framed Curtain Walls – Versatile and Practical

Having such flexible, functional, and affordable options as delivered by framed curtain walling, means it can be used in commercial and residential applications. Creating a showpiece in itself, both living and work spaces have access to light as well as feature panoramic views. 

Encompassing thermal enhancements at various levels, slim sightlines, ground floor, or high-rise capability, aluminium curtain wall systems have strong aesthetic and practical configurations. The systems can be fabricated for quick site assembly. 

Principal features of curtain walling:

 

• Insulation options – covering non-insulated to super-high insulation makes for versatile application.
• Multiple features – whether vertical or horizontal, the features are practically endless.
• Practical consideration – wind and fire resistance or seismic activity are covered.
• Bespoke solutions – from unique signature design to complexity, size, or scope.
• Profile colours –some companies offer up to 450 different shades and finishes.

 

Today’s advanced systems are essentially better suited to the pressures of build schedules and time constraints imposed on the building sector.  Completed modular sections are delivered to sites which dramatically reduces the need for skilled labour.

What is the Difference Between Aluminium Framed Curtain Walls and Structural Glazing?

In the particularly adventurous area of construction and design, the element that is significantly changing city landscapes from the old ‘concrete jungle’ metaphor to a wonderland of gleaming structures, is glass. 

An oxymoron in itself, glass and glazing technologies have transformed it from something perceived as fragile, to a load-bearing substitute for masonry walls.

Structural glazing is visible the world over, especially in financial hotspots. Steve Jobs, himself renowned for innovative glass staircases, saw to it that the Apple headquarters distinguishes itself as the largest glass-supported structure in the world.

The x-factor in aluminium curtain walls is that these glazing systems, while not used to support the weight of a floor or a roof, innovatively transfer factors such as wind-resistance from its surfaces to the floor line of the building.

Curtain walling more typically forms part of a wall system or part of the building envelope. It figures then that interior usage effectively opens more areas to light and visual continuity.

Eco-Friendly Benefits of Aluminium Framed Curtain Walls

Not all MMC (modern methods of construction) are readily adopted because the benefits have to outweigh the changes in approach, materials, safety, and design. Hats off to aluminium framed curtain walling, which has proven itself over and over again.

 

Stephen Anderson, Aluminium Director of CMS Window Systems, well says “…aluminium curtain walling (is) increasingly providing the answer to meet sustainability, quality and project efficiency goals…  Delivering low air permeability is crucial in sustainable building design. It goes hand in hand with the benefits that innovative aluminium frame designs deliver in combination with the right glazing specification. Failure to achieve the right level of airtightness in the curtain wall will threaten the comfort, energy, and CO2 emission reduction benefits that other building elements deliver.”

The performance of aluminium curtain walling as regards the ability to lock in and retain heat is one of its chief eco-friendly credentials. Hot air and UV rays are no match for these hi-tech systems, which retain fresh, cool air generated by air conditioning systems effectively. 

Draughty buildings spell massive electricity bills but sealing them with curtain walls reduces the energy expenditure as well as the carbon footprint while serving as insulation. Besides, the aluminium frames are lightweight and can be recycled ad infinitum without losing quality.  

Finally, don’t be limited by walls here, the application for doorways, room dividers, and conservatories come into their own with aluminum framed curtain wall systems. 

So, fear not, any design improvement is matched by the endless possibilities available with framed aluminium curtain walls and the benefits are worth every cent spent.

GHI Architectural Solutions has been the leading distributor of hardware to the South African architectural aluminium industry for over 25 years. While not installing curtain walls, we do pretty much everything else, providing all the aluminium framework and hardware you need for your curtain walling system. 

Chat with us anytime.