Several Best Glass Curtain Wall Styles

As the “outer coat” of modern buildings, glass curtain walls not only bear the function of sheltering from wind and rain, but are also an important way of expressing architectural aesthetics. From towering skyscrapers to exquisite commercial complexes, glass curtain walls have shaped the city’s skyline with their unique sense of transparency and modernity. This article will introduce you to several of the most popular and best-performing glass curtain wall styles to help you understand how this architectural element balances beauty and practicality.

1. Unitized glass curtain wall: an efficient and accurate modern choice

Unitized glass curtain wall is one of the most commonly used curtain wall forms in high-rise buildings. Its biggest feature is “factory prefabrication and on-site assembly”. Imagine building the exterior wall of a building like building blocks – this is how unitized curtain walls work.

This type of curtain wall has already assembled glass panels, metal frames, sealing materials, etc. into a complete unit plate in the factory, and then transported to the construction site and directly hoisted onto the building structure. I have seen a 30-story office building using this curtain wall. The installation speed is amazing. On average, one floor of curtain wall installation can be completed in one day, greatly shortening the construction period.

The advantages of unitized curtain walls are obvious: first, the quality is controllable, and the production accuracy in the factory environment is much higher than that in on-site construction; second, the installation is fast, which is particularly suitable for projects with tight schedules; third, the waterproof performance is excellent, and each unit is self-contained, reducing the risk of leakage. Landmark buildings such as the China Zun in Beijing and the Shanghai World Financial Center all use this curtain wall system.

However, unitized curtain walls also have their limitations. It has extremely high requirements for the accuracy of the building structure, and it must be carefully considered during the design phase; at the same time, once a unit has a problem, it is relatively troublesome to replace it. In addition, the initial investment cost is high, but in the long run, its durability and maintenance cost advantages often offset this part of the investment.

2. Point-supported glass curtain wall

If you are looking for unparalleled transparency and modernity, point-supported glass curtain walls are undoubtedly the best choice. This curtain wall directly fixes the glass to the building structure through metal connectors (usually stainless steel), eliminating the traditional frame structure and creating an almost completely transparent visual effect.

The first time I saw a point-supported curtain wall was in the atrium of a high-end shopping mall. The sunlight poured into the room without any hindrance. The bright and open feeling was unforgettable. The glass seemed to be suspended in the air, without any extra components blocking the view, and it was full of modernity.

The glass commonly used in point-supported curtain walls is tempered laminated glass, which ensures both strength and safety. There are various connection methods, including four-point support, six-point support, etc., and it can also be combined with cable or truss systems to create a large-span column-free space. Famous buildings such as the Louvre Pyramid in France and the Apple flagship store in New York have demonstrated the artistic charm of point-supported curtain walls.

The challenge of this curtain wall lies in the extremely high requirements for glass performance and installation accuracy. Temperature changes, wind loads and other factors need to be accurately calculated, otherwise the glass may break. Maintenance and cleaning are also not easy, requiring professional equipment and technology. But for the unparalleled sense of transparency, many owners are willing to accept these challenges.

3. Framed glass curtain wall

As a classic choice for building exterior enclosure systems, framed glass curtain walls can be divided into five categories according to different structural forms and installation methods. Understanding the characteristics and differences of these different types is of great significance for architectural design and construction selection.
1. Exposed frame glass curtain wall
The exposed frame curtain wall is the most traditional and common form of frame curtain wall. Its characteristic is that the metal frame is completely exposed, forming a clear grid-like dividing line. The aluminum alloy profile of this curtain wall serves as both a supporting structure and a decorative element. From a technical point of view, the exposed frame curtain wall adopts the “pressing plate fixing” method. The four sides of the glass are fixed by metal pressing plates, and weather-resistant sealant is used for waterproofing. This type of curtain wall is mostly used in early high-rise buildings such as Beijing International Trade Phase I. Its advantages are simple structure and economical cost, but the exposed frame will affect the visual effect to a certain extent.

2. Hidden frame glass curtain wall
The hidden frame curtain wall uses a special structural design to prevent the metal frame from being exposed. Only the glass joints can be seen from the outside, achieving a simpler facade effect. Its core technology is to use structural adhesive to directly bond the glass to the aluminum alloy auxiliary frame, and then fix the entire unit to the main structure through mechanical fixings. This curtain wall form is used in some areas of Shanghai Jinmao Tower. The hidden frame curtain wall is more aesthetically pleasing, but it has extremely high requirements for the performance of structural adhesives, requires regular inspection and maintenance, and the cost is about 15-20% higher than that of the exposed frame.
3. Semi-hidden frame glass curtain wall
The semi-hidden frame curtain wall is a compromise between the exposed frame and the hidden frame, usually in the form of horizontal exposed frame and vertical hidden frame, or vice versa. This design not only retains the rhythm of part of the frame, but also improves the simplicity of the facade. In terms of structural treatment, the visible frame side is mechanically fixed, and the hidden side is bonded with structural adhesive. This form is adopted in some curtain walls of Shenzhen Diwang Building. The semi-hidden frame curtain wall is both aesthetically pleasing and economical, and is particularly suitable for mid-to-high-end projects that pursue the rhythm of lines.
4. Horizontal exposed and vertical hidden frame curtain wall
This is a special form of semi-hidden frame curtain wall, specifically referring to the construction method in which the horizontal frame is exposed and the vertical frame is hidden. This design visually emphasizes the extension of the horizontal lines, which can make the building appear more stretched. Technically, the horizontal pressure plate is exposed, and the vertical is concealed with structural adhesive. This type of curtain wall is used in the podium of Guangzhou International Finance Center. Its advantage is that it can create a unique horizontal rhythm, but attention should be paid to the waterproof treatment of the horizontal components.

6. How to choose a suitable glass curtain wall?

Faced with so many excellent curtain wall options, how should owners and designers make decisions? According to my experience, the following key factors need to be considered:

The first is the function and positioning of the building. High-end commercial spaces may pursue the transparency of point-supported curtain walls, while office buildings pay more attention to the practicality of unitized curtain walls and the energy saving of double-layer curtain walls. Landmark buildings may tend to be unique in parametric design, while green buildings will give priority to the environmental performance of photovoltaic or breathing curtain walls.

The second is budget and cycle. Although the initial cost of unitized curtain walls is high, they are installed quickly, while traditional frame curtain walls are low-cost but have a long construction period. It is necessary to weigh short-term investment and long-term benefits, such as the energy return of photovoltaic curtain walls and the energy-saving benefits of double-layer curtain walls.

The third is local climate conditions. Windy areas require more robust systems, hot areas need to consider sunshade and heat insulation, and cold areas need to focus on heat preservation. I have seen a project that was originally planned to use a full glass curtain wall, but later changed to a hybrid system with sunshade components due to the strong local sunlight, which greatly improved the comfort of use.

Finally, maintenance capabilities. Complex curtain wall systems require professional maintenance teams and budgets. If there is a lack of long-term maintenance guarantees, it may be more practical to choose a system with a simple structure and easy maintenance.

Conclusion: Future trends in glass curtain walls

Glass curtain wall technology is still innovating and developing. Self-cleaning glass, electrochromic glass (transparency can be adjusted as needed), improved photovoltaic power generation efficiency, and smarter environmental response systems are all research and development hotspots. The curtain wall of the future will not only be the “skin” of the building, but also an intelligent interface that integrates energy production, environmental regulation, and information interaction.

No matter which curtain wall system is chosen, excellent design should pursue a perfect balance between aesthetics and function. A good glass curtain wall can not only shape the image of the building, but also create a comfortable indoor environment, and embody the concept of sustainable development. When sunlight shines into the interior through the carefully designed glass curtain wall, it is not just a ray of light, but also a harmonious dialogue between architecture and nature, technology and art.