How to choose a glass curtain wall system suitable for the local climate?

Glass curtain walls are widely used in various types of buildings such as office buildings, commercial complexes, residences, universities, hospitals, etc. due to their modern beauty, natural transparency and energy-saving performance. However, the climate environment in different regions varies greatly. Choosing the wrong glass curtain wall system will lead to energy waste, poor user experience and even safety hazards. Therefore, choosing a glass curtain wall system suitable for local climate conditions is the key to ensuring the success of the project.

Zhongdong Curtain Wall will start from the main climate types in the world and combine common glass curtain wall systems (unit curtain wall, frame curtain wall, point-supported curtain wall, double-layer curtain wall, etc.) to provide climate-adaptive glass curtain wall solutions for developers, architectural design units, and general contractors.

1. Factors affecting the selection of glass curtain walls due to climatic conditions
In different climatic zones, the external environmental challenges faced by glass curtain walls vary, mainly including:

Solar radiation intensity (direct sunlight, duration of sunshine)
Temperature differences (high temperature, cold, large temperature difference between day and night)
Wind pressure intensity (coastal, typhoon, plateau, etc.)
Humidity and rainfall (tropical rainforest, monsoon climate, etc.)
Dust, pollution and ultraviolet intensity
Therefore, glass curtain walls in different regions must not only ensure energy-saving performance, but also take into account structural safety, durability and comfort.

2. Recommendations for typical climate zones and curtain wall systems
The following are recommendations for the combination of glass curtain wall system type + glass configuration + process details based on the six common climate types in the world:

1. Tropical high temperature climate (e.g. Southeast Asia, Central Africa, India)
Climate characteristics: high temperature and humidity throughout the year, strong sunlight, strong ultraviolet rays, and high energy consumption risks.
Recommended curtain wall system: framed glass curtain wall or unit curtain wall + LOW-E hollow glass

Glass selection: double silver LOW-E glass + hollow layer (argon gas filled)

Enhanced functions: optional external shading system, light control glass or heat reflective film

Hidden frame or semi-hidden frame design to prevent metal heat conduction

Key construction control: UV-resistant materials should be used for aging of sealing strips; structural adhesives must be resistant to high temperatures and moisture-proof

Advantages: strong insulation, reduced cold load, effective reduction of condensation on the inside of glass and energy consumption expenditure

2. Cold or high-latitude climate (e.g. northern Russia, Canada, Northern Europe)

Climate characteristics: severe cold in winter, high wind pressure, large temperature difference between day and night, and severe heat loss.
Recommended curtain wall system: unitized glass curtain wall + three-glass two-chamber LOW-E glass
Glass selection: three-layer hollow glass (both inside and outside are LOW-E) + argon filling
Curtain wall system: high airtightness, thermal insulation unit curtain wall
Energy-saving method: configure low heat transfer coefficient profiles (broken bridge structure)
Node processing focus: prevent cold bridges, condensation, and air leakage

Advantages: improve thermal insulation performance, maintain stable indoor temperature, and adapt to large temperature differences and cold weather

3. Dry hot desert climate (e.g.: Middle East, North Africa, Western Australia)
Climate characteristics: large temperature difference between day and night, dry and little rain, strong sunshine, and more wind and sand.
Recommended curtain wall system: double-layer glass curtain wall system or point-supported glass curtain wall (partial)
Glass selection: The outer layer uses high-transmittance and reflective LOW-E tempered glass, and the inner layer can be laminated + hollow
System design: Set up a ventilation layer (adjustable airflow) to reduce heat accumulation
Sealing and sand resistance: The curtain wall must have high sealing performance, and the rubber strips and aluminum frames must be resistant to sand abrasion
Advantages: Reduce the incident heat of sunlight, prevent sand and heat, and significantly improve internal comfort

4. High humidity and strong wind areas (for example: tropical coastal areas, typhoon areas, such as Guangzhou and Miami)
Climate characteristics: high wind pressure, heavy rain, and high air humidity.
Recommended curtain wall system: unitized curtain wall or hidden frame glass curtain wall + tempered laminated glass
The curtain wall system needs to have a high wind pressure resistance level (≥5 levels)
Glass configuration: tempered + laminated + hollow to prevent bursting and splashing
Drainage system: double drainage layer design, anti-reverse pressure backwater
Special suggestion: use moisture-resistant adhesive materials for structural adhesive to avoid high humidity aging
Advantages: improve structural safety, smooth drainage, adapt to frequent heavy rain and typhoon weather

5. Temperate monsoon or four distinct seasons (for example: northern China, most cities in Europe and the United States)
Climate characteristics: hot summer and cold winter, moderate temperature difference between day and night, and obvious climate changes throughout the year
Recommended curtain wall system: semi-hidden frame curtain wall system + hollow LOW-E glass
Insulating glass: double-layer hollow glass, LOW-E on the outside and ordinary tempered glass on the inside
Frame design: broken bridge aluminum profile or heat-insulating aluminum alloy to improve overall thermal insulation
Can be matched with adjustable blinds to improve summer sunshade
Installation requirements: The split structure reserves reasonable expansion joints to adapt to temperature changes
Advantages: high cost performance, wide adaptability, energy saving and sound insulation, easy maintenance

When designing glass curtain walls, the impact of climate on glass curtain walls should be considered. Adapting to local climate characteristics is the best way to make glass curtain walls. Glass curtain walls are the “external breathing system” of buildings, and their performance is closely related to building comfort, energy consumption, and safety. Whether the project is located in the hot and humid central Africa or the extremely cold and dry Nordic plateau, it must start from the local climate and match the corresponding curtain wall system structure and glass configuration to ensure the successful implementation and long-term value of the project.

If you are still worried about not being able to find a suitable glass curtain wall manufacturer, or don’t know what the local climate characteristics are and what kind of glass curtain wall is suitable for you, you can take a look at Zhongdong Curtain Wall. Tell me the questions you want to know, and I will tell you everything about glass curtain walls.