Curtain walls and window walls are the two most typical systems for attaining home construction. Although they seem to be similar structures at first glance, there are significant differences in their design, purpose, and usage.

What is a Curtain Wall in Construction?

A curtain wall is an exterior architectural feature that is not load-bearing and is made of a lightweight frame that supports a cladding of glass and/or metal panels. It can be described as a curtain suspended from the main frame of the building. Curtain walls are normally fixed on the outer side of the building and are not part of the floor slabs. This makes for a more flexible design and can give a more integrated, contemporary look.

Key Differences Between  Window Walls & Curtain Walls in Construction

Curtain walls and window walls both provide large glazed areas, but the construction techniques and application of the two are quite distinct. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

Structural Support:

Curtain Wall: As mentioned earlier, a curtain wall is not structural since it carries no loads. It is suspended from the main building frame and relays wind loads back to the frame. This enables more freedom in the design aspect with larger spans and more glass than a normal wall.

Window Wall: On the other hand, a window wall is not an addition to the building structure. It is located between the floor slabs, and they are relied on for support. This makes window walls more rigid in terms of structure but restricts the possibility of achieving large glass areas.

Installation:

Curtain Wall: Curtain walls are usually put in after the primary framework of the structure is already in place. This can be advantageous since construction work within the building is not interrupted, as would be the case if the building were to be completely closed. However, installation is slightly more complicated and can be dangerous because it may require working at heights.

Window Wall: Window walls are usually incorporated into the construction phase of a building, floor by floor. This makes installation easier and safer but also increases the overall construction time.

Performance:

Curtain Wall: Because of their design, curtain walls may provide fewer sound-insulating features than window walls. Further, attaining fire resistance is somewhat challenging in curtain walls due to the type of materials used and fire-stopping methods.

Window Wall: Window walls are part of the building structure, so they have better soundproofing than other types of walls. Fire resistance is also normally more easily attained with window walls because they are more closely incorporated with the building’s fire protection systems.

Cost:

Curtain Wall: Curtain walls are generally more complicated in terms of design and installation than window walls and, therefore, are usually more costly.

Window Wall: Window walls are less complicated to incorporate into the building structure and are therefore cheaper than curtain walls.

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