Curtain Wall Design Considerations

The american architectural manufacturers association aama has developed a new manual providing guidelines for the design of curtain walls.

Curtain wall design considerations.

Visualizing three dimensional curtain wall when it is subjected to wind loads and anticipate load distribution and the response of curtain wall to the influences of the wind is a crucial key to a well performed curtain wall design. Select frames with wept glazing and pocket sills sloped to the exterior to collect water that penetrates the glazing and drain it to the exterior. There are structural engineering considerations needed during the designs. Since the curtain wall is non structural it can be made of lightweight materials thereby reducing construction costs.

Design considerations for curtain wall parapets in cold climates mario d. A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non structural utilized only to keep the weather out and the occupants in. With soft tech s software platform designing curtain walls is made simple. Best2 design and rehabilitation session ee4 1 review of curtain walls focusing on design problems and solutions karol kazmierczak 1 abstract this paper presents curtain walls their fundamental classification challenges associated with their design and construction.

Kawneer s curtain wall systems have been designed and engineered to meet these demands and more. Curtain wall systems have been designed and engineered to meet these demands and more. The following summarizes recommended features. Our curtain wall systems have been.

Add in the requirements sway induced by wind and seismic forces acting on the building and designing curtain walls gets complex. Curtain wall analytical models and detailing related to connections anchors and fastener. Publication of aama cwm 19 the curtain wall manual marks the culmination of efforts by volunteers from aama curtain wall storefront council member companies to update and enhance the former aama mcwm1 89 the metal curtain wall manual. Curtain wall design should start with the assumption that external glazing seals perimeter sealant joints and curtain wall sills will leak.

When glass is used as the curtain wall an advantage is that natural light can penetrate deeper within the building. Our curtain wall systems have been tested and assessed in accordance with the relevant bs en and centre for window and cladding technology cwct curtain wall standards. Curtain wall design considerations please note this is for guidance only 1. Today s fast paced construction schedules demand it all design innovation flexibility high quality fast installation simplified fabrication and superior performance.

A balanced holistic approach to the curtain wall construction is emphasized.