Curtain Wall Fundamentals | Glass Magazine

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Curtain Wall Fundamentals

Concepts, considerations and execution
By Joe Schiavone
December 3, 2014
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Curtain Wall Codes and

Standards
Curtain wall design and selection
AAMA Aluminum Curtain Wall Design
Guide Manual
Thermal performance
AAMA 1503 Voluntary Standards for
Thermal Transmittance and Performance
AAMA 501.5 Test Method for Thermal
Cycling of Exterior Walls
NFRC 100 Procedure for Determining
Fenestration Product U-Factors
Solar heat gain coefficient
The CRL-U.S. Aluminum Series 3250 Curtain Wall System encloses the entrance of a Crate & Barrel retail store.

Understanding the basic concepts of curtain walls, the important considerations of the varying
curtain wall types, and the performance specifications for curtain wall systems is critical for
architects, project managers and installers in the field. This article looks at the various
classifications of curtain wall systems, along with considerations for each.

NFRC 200 Procedure for Determining

Fenestration Product Solar Heat Gain
Coefficient and Visible Transmittance at
Normal Incidence
Solar optical properties
NFRC 300 Test Method for Determining
the Solar Optical Properties of Glazing
Materials and Systems
Air infiltration

Stick built v. unitized

Curtain walls are classified by their method of fabrication and installation in two categories:
stick built and unitized systems. Unitized curtain wall systems are comprised of large units that
are assembled and glazed in the factory. They are then shipped to the job site and erected on
the building faade. The vertical and horizontal modules mate and stack together to create a
complete system. Cranes are most often used to install these systems as modules can be one
story tall and five to six feet wide.
Stick systems consist of the curtain wall frame verticals (mullions) and glass or opaque panels
that are installed and connected piece by piece. These parts are usually fabricated and
shipped KD (knocked down) to the job site for installation. In stick-framed aluminum curtain
walls, vertical mullions typically run past two floors, with a combined gravity/lateral anchor on
one floor (wind load anchor), and another lateral anchor (dead load anchor) on the other.
Splices between the mullions allow vertical movement while providing lateral resistance. In
larger areas of stick-framed curtain walls, split vertical mullions are sometimes used to allow for
thermal movement, which can slightly distort the anchors. In this case, glass units must
accommodate movement of the surrounding aluminum frame by sliding along glazing gaskets.
This movement within the frame and in the anchors tends to induce additional stress on stick
built systems.
All curtain wall systemsthrough their floor structure or immediate framingmust transfer and
uphold its own dead load and live loads, including positive and negative wind loads, snow

AAMA 501 Methods of Test for Exterior

Walls
ASTM E283 (laboratory)
ASTM E783 (field)
NFRC 400 Procedure for Determining
Fenestration Product Air Leakage
Water penetration resistance
AAMA 501.1 Methods of Tests for
Exterior Walls - Dynamic Test
(laboratory)
AAMA 501.2 Methods of Tests for
Exterior Walls - Hose Test (field)
ASTM E331 (laboratory)
ASTM E547 (laboratory)
ASTM E1105 (field)
Condensation resistance factor
AAMA 1503.1 Voluntary Test Method for
Thermal Transmittance and
Condensation Resistance of Windows,
Doors, and Glazed Wall Sections
NFRC 500 Procedure for Determining
Fenestration Product Condensation
Resistance Values
Seismic loads

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Curtain Wall Fundamentals | Glass Magazine

loads at large horizontal areas, seismic loads, and maintenance loads. While curtain walls are
likely to demonstrate movement caused by perpetual thermal changes, it is important to ensure
that the connections that anchor the curtain wall are engineered to allow differential movement
while resisting applied loads and pressures.

Interior v. exterior glazing

Both unitized and stick systems can be either interior or exterior glazed. Both types offer
glazing contractors various advantages and disadvantages during the installation process.
Interior glazed systems allow for glass or spandrel installation into curtain wall openings from
the interior of the building. Interior glazed systems are often specified for low-rise buildings, or
applications with limited interior obstructions that allow for easy interior access.
With exterior glazed systems, glass and spandrel components are installed from the exterior
side of the curtain wall. They require swing stage, scaffolding, or a man-lift to install and glaze.

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AAMA 501.4 & 501.6

Structural uniform loading by static
pressure
ASTM E 330 (laboratory)
Acoustical performance
AAMA 1801 Voluntary Specifications for
Acoustical Ratings
Anodized coatings
AAMA 609 Cleaning and Maintenance
Guide
AAMA 610 Cleaning and Maintenance
Guide
AAMA 611 Voluntary Specification for
Anodized Architectural Aluminum
High performance organic coatings
AAMA 2604 Voluntary Specification for
High Performance Organic Coatings on
Aluminum Extrusions and Panels

Water-managed or pressure-equalized
Curtain walls can be further classified as either water-managed or pressure-equalized systems.
Pressure-equalized curtain walls provide the highest level of resistance to air and water
infiltration, while water-managed systems come in a close second.
Pressure-equalized systems function by blocking all external forces that can drive water across
a barrier. Where the inside face of the glass and the inside face of the glazing pocket meet are
interconnecting gaskets or wet seals that serve as airtight barriers. The outside face of the
glass, exterior glazing materials, and the outer exposed face of the aluminum framing function
as a rain screen that directs water away. Situated between the exterior rain screen and the
interior air barrier, a pressure-equalization chamber in the glazing pocket reduces water
penetration by eliminating (equalizing) the pressure difference across the rain screen. These
are most often referred to zone-glazed systems.
On the other hand, water-managed systems incorporate drains and weeps from the glazing
pocket instead of zone-glazing, which allows more water to be forced into the system that must
be weeped away. Since no air barrier exists, the pressure difference between the glazing
pocket and the interior may be strong enough to force water vertically higher than interior
gaskets and cause leaks.
Weep holes in a water-managed system function largely to drain water that enters the glazing
pocket, while weep holes in a pressure-equalized system primarily allow air movement
between the exterior and glazing pocket. Weeping of water is only a secondary function.
The easiest way to recognize a pressure-equalized curtain wall system is to examine if the
glazing pocket around each glass unit is isolated from adjacent units with air-tight plugs or
seals between screw splines at the mullion intersections. Detailing of the spandrels, shadow
boxes and interface with adjacent construction must remain consistent with the air barrier and
curtain wall to function properly with pressure-equalized systems.
Most curtain wall systems utilize pressure bars (also referred to as pressure plates) that are
fastened to the outside of the mullions to secure the glass. These systems frequently include
gaskets that are placed between the pressure bar and mullions to function as thermal breaks,
and additionally help with acoustic isolation. These systems require special attention to detail
during the design and construction phases to ensure the gaskets at horizontal and vertical
transitions are consistent. These gaskets are typically sealed together at their intersection in
order to cushion the glass on the interior and exterior. Although gaskets tend to stretch during
installation, they will shrink back to their original length in a short time; they are also designed
to shrink with age and exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun at the corners. With a welldesigned curtain wall, the water that enters the system at the gasket corners will ultimately

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weep out through the snap cover weep holes. To mitigate gasket shrinkage, it is recommended
to use sealed vulcanized corners and diagonally cut splices.

Protection in cold environments

In colder climates, the use of back pans is required. Back pans are metal sheets, usually
crafted from aluminum or galvanized steel that are attached and sealed to the curtain wall
framing around the perimeter, and behind spandrel areas. In cold environments insulation
should be installed between the back pan and exterior cladding in order to maintain the dew
point outboard so the back pan can act as an air and vapor barrier. They provide a second line
of defense against water infiltration for concealed areas of the curtain wall that are difficult to
access, including in spandrel areas that can cause significant damage before even being
detected.

Standards for architectural design

Curtain wall performance is the driving factor in the design of the majority of buildings today. It
is important to understand the architectural needs of the curtain wall for the project to ensure
optimal performance and execution. Glazing firms should be familiar with the commonly
specified codes standards to use as a guide when designing a curtain wall system.

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The author is sales and marketing manager, strategic accounts, for C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.,
www.crlaurence.com. If there is a specific topic youd like him to address in his Tips of the
Trade article series, write him at joe_schiavone@crlaurence.com.

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