What is a curtain wall? 95% of people don’t know

What is a curtain wall? If explained in one sentence, a curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior wall enclosure structure of a building, consisting of panels (such as glass, metal plates, stone slabs, etc.) and supporting structural systems (such as aluminum beams, steel structures, etc.). Its core feature is that it does not bear the load of the main structure, but can produce a certain displacement or deformation relative to the main structure to adapt to external forces such as wind pressure and earthquakes. Curtain wall
It can not only block wind and rain, but also make the building cool and eye-catching. Next, let’s take a look at what kind of charm the curtain wall has?

1. Curtain wall vs. ordinary exterior wall
Ordinary exterior wall: like a “thick cotton jacket” of a house, made of bricks or concrete, it is both load-bearing and windproof. The disadvantages are that it is heavy and has a single design, and you have to be careful when opening windows.
Curtain wall: like a “thin jacket”, it is spliced ​​with lightweight materials such as glass and metal and hung directly on the building skeleton. The biggest feature: it does not bear weight, it all depends on “hanging”! Therefore, it can be used in various ways: all-glass, wavy, hollow design…even plant trees!

2. Three core features of curtain wall
① Suspension structure
The curtain wall is “hung” on the outside of the building like an earring. For example, the glass curtain wall of the Shanghai Tower uses tens of thousands of small claws (clamps) to firmly grasp the edge of the floor slab. When strong winds come, it will swing slightly with the wind to unload the force, which is safer.

② Lightweight materials-80% lighter than brick walls
Traditional brick wall: 1 square meter ≈ 250 kilograms
Glass curtain wall: 1 square meter ≈ 50 kilograms
Aluminum curtain wall: 1 square meter ≈ 30 kilograms
This lightness makes it possible for skyscrapers to “grow taller”, otherwise the foundation cannot support the weight at all.

③ Functional integration – more than just a face-saving project
Modern curtain walls are no longer just “decorative skins”, but have hidden secrets:
Energy saving: LowE glass blocks 70% of heat, warm in winter and cool in summer
Sound insulation: Double-layer hollow glass reduces indoor noise by 40 decibels

3. Curtain wall family
According to the material, curtain walls are like “fashion shows” in the architectural world:
Glass curtain wall: transparent as crystal, unbeatable lighting
Stone curtain wall: natural texture, stable and luxurious
Metal curtain wall: bendable, color-changing, and full of technology

4. Common questions about curtain walls
Q: Won’t all glass turn into an “oven”?
A: In the early years, glass curtain walls did have a “greenhouse effect”, but now there is black technology:
Double silver LowE glass: reflects infrared rays in sunlight, reducing indoor temperature by 5℃
Ventilation interlayer design: air flows between double-layer glass, like installing “air conditioning” for buildings

Q: Is the glass curtain wall easy to break?
A: Modern curtain wall glass is all “laminated armor” configuration:
Laminated glass: PVB film is sandwiched between two layers of glass, and it will stick to the film if it breaks
Tempered glass: The strength is 5 times that of ordinary glass, and it can also break into small particles without edges and corners

Q: How long is the life of the curtain wall?
A: The design life is generally 25-50 years, the key depends on the material:
Aluminum curtain wall: more than 30 years
Terracotta curtain wall: no fading in 50 years
Glass curtain wall: sealant needs to be replaced after 20 years
5. Why do you say that curtain walls have changed the city?
Aesthetic revolution: turning buildings from “square boxes” into works of art
Space liberation: thinning walls, indoor usable area increases by 5%-10%
Curtain walls are the crystallization of architecture and technology, and a symbiosis of function and aesthetics. The evolution of curtain walls is a microcosm of our pursuit of the limits of architecture.