Partitions

Uses
Can span multiple floors, often starting at the first floor, and may extend up several floors.

At ground level, it may be used in place of a high-performance storefront system.

Often curtainwall will be attached to and extending past the face and floor slabs of the building.

The vertical mullions are anchored to the building structure.

Horizontal mullions are not typically anchored.

Curtainwall will also have higher performance air, water, and structural requirements.
Types

Along with higher performance than storefronts, curtainwall may be unitized or stick built.

Unitized systems are fabricated and pre-assembled into units in the shop to ensure performance requirements are
not subject to uncontrolled conditions in the field.

These unitized systems may be specified for an entire building, or used in combination with storefront systems
and/or field fabricated stick-built curtainwall systems.

Similar to storefront systems, curtainwall framing is composed predominantly of extruded aluminum framing.

Basic dimensions for curtainwall systems are bigger than storefront 2-inch or 21/2-inch sightlines, and 6- to
10-inch depths. Along with IGUs, curtainwall can accommodate metal and stone panels or other infill.
Heavy wall extrusions, called “back members,” form the framework for supporting the glass and anchorage to the
building.

For a captured system, the glass or panel is retained by a “pressure plate” or “pressure bar” that is fastened to the
tongue of the backmember.

Gaskets form the seal to keep air and water out. Face covers conceal the screw fasteners on pressure plates.

Alternately, the glass may be held in place with structural silicone, eliminating the need for the pressure plate and
cover.

This may be done to the verticals, horizontals, or both. Back members and face covers may be ordered in a wide
variety of depths and finished in different colors on the exterior and interior aluminum framing surfaces.
Advantages
Curtainwall also offers longer spans and wider spacing between vertical mullions than storefront.

Horizontal and vertical members can be the same profile.

The large open tube structure of the backmember often allows for steel reinforcement.

This can allow for a considerably longer span between anchor points than storefront.

Spans of more than 20 feet are not uncommon and are limited by the available extrusion length and load
considerations.

As with storefront, the curtainwall systems’ thermal performance is enhanced significantly with a thermal break
that separates the pressure plate from the back members.

Additional enhancements include fiberglass or polyamide pressure plates, polyamide struts, and P&D features.
Details
Storefronts
Uses
Usually located on lower building floors

Their vertical span is often limited to a single story in height, with the system being installed between floor slabs, although
there are systems that may span more than one story.

Often combined with entrance systems.

Storefront systems are typically designed to less stringent performance requirements and are composed of lighter-weight,
simpler aluminum sections.

The most commonly used systems have 2- x 4-inch framing members designed for center glazing with either monolithic or
insulating glass.
 Types
Used for window-wall systems, ribbon-wall or strip-window systems, and punched openings.

Operable window units, as well as spandrel and infill panels, may be incorporated into entrance and storefront systems.

Aluminum-framed sections can be non-thermal, thermally improved, thermally broken (thermal-barrier), or structurally
glazed systems.

Can be field assembled and glazed.

Typical glazing systems for storefronts include conventional as well as two-sided, structural-sealant-glazed systems,
sometimes referred to as butt-glazed.

In conventional glazed systems, lites or panels are retained on all sides by continuous gaskets set into the framing
members.

In two-sided, structural-sealant-glazed systems, structural sealant adheres the glazing units to vertical framing members,
and continuous gaskets hold the glass at horizontal members.
Finishes
Finishes for aluminum framing members have traditionally included clear or color anodized and organic coating
systems, such as Kynar-based coatings.

Polyester powder paints now meet industry performance standards for durability and are available from some
manufacturers.

Due to their greater film thickness and abrasion resistance, powdercoat finishes are well suited for high traffic
entrances and storefronts
Price
Costs associated with both storefront and curtainwall systems vary by region due to the labor market.

Generally, storefront is less expensive and is the product of choice for entrances and elevations on the first and
second floor.

Curtainwall tends to be more expensive from a material and labor perspective, but it allows for greater flexibility in
design and perfor mance.

Other common variables that affect price will include the glass type selections, thermal break methodology and
finish choices.
Sustainable Design
Operable windows work within storefront or curtainwall to allow fresh air into the occupied space.

This also may bring added value toward sustainable design criteria such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s
LEED rating systems.

Along with natural light and ventilation, operable windows within storefront and curtainwall can provide thermal
performance that contributes to optimized energy savings.

Aluminum framing may be specified with recycled content and recycled at the end of its useful life.

Durable finishes enhance the longevity of these systems.

Selecting low-emitting finishes and finishing providers that minimize volatile organic compounds may assist with
indoor air quality and other green building considerations.
Conclusion

Storefront is often desirable because of its overall lower cost, but is limited to shorter spans, low- to mid-rise
installations and more modest performance requirements.

Curtainwall is considered the best choice when performance is of foremost concern, for longer spans and for
buildings taller than three stories.

Both systems offer versatility in meeting aesthetic and sustainable design goals.