33 Glazing

Façades: Curtain walling

Curtain walling is a non-load bearing
cladding system located in front of the
structure to form an integral part of
the building envelope.
Although its prime purpose is to
create a weatherproof barrier, it can
be designed and fabricated to
introduce individuality to the building’s
aesthetic appeal.
While curtain walling is usually
characterised by a square or rectangular
grid of mullions and transoms, other
shapes, such as trapezoids and triangles,
can be incorporated in the design. The
specification of the glass and use of
opening ventilators introduces comfort
and light to the internal environment.
High and low rise façades can be created
and the designs can be further
enhanced with faceted curves, sloped
roofs and canopies including ridges,
hips and valleys, also pyramids and
lantern lights. A façade of curtain
walling can incorporate inserts such as
tilt and turn, top swing, pivot windows
and side hung windows.
Concealed vents, either top hung or tilt
and turn, as well as commercial doors
to suit the requirements of the project,
can also be incorporated.

t Guernsey Airport • Architect: Kensington Taylor, Main contractor: Hochtief (UK).

Technal curtain walling with SGG PARSOL grey & SGG SECURIT on the North elevations and
SGG SECURIT COOL-LITE & SGG STADIP on the South elevations.

431 • Façades: Curtain walling

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Façades: Curtain walling

Design criteria • design wind pressure and category

The design challenge is to create the image
but keep stability and weather-resistant
properties while withstanding:
• wind loads
• dead loads due to the self-weight of
the installation
• building movement
• imposed loads produced by the
intended use of the building
• in certain applications loads
associated with guarding.
SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING will calculate
the required mullion and transom size
for each project provided all necessary
criteria are supplied, including:
• full plans and elevations relevant to
the works to be carried out
• position of available connections
to structure
• glazing specification.
Mullions and
transoms
The mullions supply the support to a
curtain wall screen and the configuration
of the box section determines
their strength.
The depth of the box and/or the addition
of internal reinforcing gives a variety of
ways to add strength.
For a given wind load the strength
required for the mullion depends on
the span between fixing points and the
weight of glazing it is required to support.

Aluminium
transom
Aluminium
mullion Double-glazed
unit

Aluminium
pressure plate

Aluminium
EPDM cap
thermal
strip

EPDM
gasket

Façades: Curtain walling • 432

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Façades: Curtain walling
At no time should a curtain wall mullion
be used as a structural member within
the building, or have loads designed
for the primary structure transferred to
the curtain wall grid.
The selection of transom is calculated
from the wind load, weight of the infill
panel and the span.
Attention should also be paid to the
maximum allowable loading that the
transoms are able to carry.
Although the depth of the mullion and
transom may vary between 20 to
200mm, the sight width for a given
system remains the same.
Mullions and transoms are 45, 52 and
64mm across the face depending on
the application and the specific
system adopted.
Whilst the vertical distances between
structural fixings would normally be
floors, larger spans can be specified subject
to calculation. Within the grid size, the
introduction of intermediate transoms
and mullions lead to a variety of design
options for vision and non-vision areas.
The infill glass panels must be chosen
so as to withstand the stress caused by
wind pressure. The correct choice
depends on pane size, dimensions,
method of support and wind load.
Sensible design will also take into
account the need to limit deflection in
the glass so as not to be visually
disturbing. Generally, the larger the
span between structural fixings, the
greater the wind load and the greater
the panel weight, the deeper the mullion
and transom will be. As each project
presents different sets of circumstances,
it is difficult to give typical sizes.
Depending on the configuration of the
primary structure, the curtain wall is
either hung or propped.
433 • Façades: Curtain walling
Glazing
Building
tolerances and
movement
Building tolerances must be allowed
for as the structural opening and fixing
areas may not always be plumb, square
and true dimensionally.
Thus when designing a curtain wall screen
consideration must be given to allow for
tolerances within the building make-up.
During a building’s life-span the fixing
points and openings may be subject to
movement which must also be taken
into account during the design stages
of the curtain wall screen.
Maximum and minimum dimensions
for tolerances and movement must be
ascertained and agreed during the
pre-contract design stage. At no time
should a mullion member be fixed
rigid at all fixing points to structure.
Slotted holes in the brackets at the anchor
points allow for movement between
the curtain wall and the structure.
Expansion joints can be incorporated to
join two mullions to allow for the
vertical movement of the aluminium.
Longitudinal movements for a short run
of curtain wall may be accommodated
at the wall junction, but for long runs
intermediate expansion joints on the
transom must be formed.
Weather-
resistance
SAINT-GOBAIN SOLAGLAS uses fully
tested and certificated systems.
See “Façades” page 419 to 430.

Façades: Curtain walling
Wall junction
Fabrication and
installation
SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING offers a
skilled and professional aluminium
fabrication operation, providing
nationwide coverage from ISO 9001
accredited manufacturing sites.
Mullions and transoms are square cut
from sections of aluminium alloy
6063 T6 and conform to BS 1474.
Spigot system transom
33
The transom to mullion join can be
fixed in a number of ways depending
on the site conditions and constraints:
• spigot
• block
• penetrating
A pressure plate holds the infill in place
and allows drainage and pressure
equalisation using slots. The external
capping provides a neat finish and is
available in a variety of profiles and
sizes to suit needs.
The curtain wall sections are thermally
improved using an integral thermal
strip, made from EPDM, which
separates the internal box from the
pressure plates and external cappings.
All infills are dry glazed using EPDM
gaskets both inside and out. Setting
blocks are used between the bottom
edge of the glazing unit and the frame
to support and centralise the unit in
the opening.
Tolerances in fabrication are in
accordance with BS 4873.
Penetrating transom
Façades: Curtain walling • 434
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Façades: Curtain walling
Effective joint design
Careful attention to detail is the
hallmark of a sound curtain walling
system. Joints throughout the façade
must be designed to allow for:
• even distribution of the weight of the
glass panel and wind loads upon it
• resistance to all loads without distortion
• retaining weather-resistant properties
• allowance for differential
thermal movement
• preservation of environmental
control properties
• means of maintenance
• design requirements
t The Light Box, Manchester
Architect: Leslie Jones
Main contractor: Balfour Beatty
Technal curtain walling with SGG SATINOVO
435 • Façades: Curtain walling
Glazing
Framing
materials
Aluminium
In commercial buildings aluminium is
the predominant framing material
because of its:
• high strength to weight ratio
• flexibility of design and colour options
• high resistance to corrosion
• good cryogenic properties
Aluminium is also eminently recyclable
without losing quality.
The strength of aluminium varies
depending on the addition of small
amounts of other metals. Profiles
predominantly used in framing are
extruded from aluminium alloys 6063
T6 and conform to BS 1474.
Sections used for curtain walling and
window frames are formed by extrusion.
Hot aluminium, between temperatures
of 400-500°C, is forced through a
carefully engineered die. It comes out
of the extrusion process with a smooth
surface protected by a natural oxide
coating and is known as a ‘mill finish’.
Aluminium in this state cannot be
relied upon to keep its appearance
in wet corrosive atmospheres.
Although the structural integrity of
the aluminium will not be affected,
either painting using a polyester
powder or anodising can protect the
surface and provide a great range of
colour finishes.
Surface finishes
See “Façades” page 419 to 430.
Gaskets and sealants
See “Façades” page 419 to 430.
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Façades: Curtain walling

Brackets
Key criteria when considering
Fixing brackets are manufactured from curtain walling:
rust proofed steel or aluminium as
dictated by the design of the installation. • Overall size and dimensions
Brackets and fixings are designed by • Transom / mullion spans
SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING specifically • Fixing points
to suit the project’s requirements. • Wind speed and loading
• Glass specification
Fire • Guarding
Curtain walling systems are not • Manifestation
normally required to provide fire
• Environmental control
resistance unless specified.
Such systems are not normally • Surface finish
composed of materials which readily • Flashing / cill detail
support combustion, add significantly
For more information,
to the fire load, and/or give off
toxic fumes. contact SOLAGLAS CONTRACTING.
Approved Document B of the Building
Regulations relates to fire safety.
External walls and roofs require
adequate resistance to the spread of
fire in the external envelope, and that
the spread of fire from one building to
another is restricted.

Façades: Curtain walling • 436