What is a construction glass wall?
Construction glass Wall (Curtain Wall) refers to the enclosure wall system suspended outside the building structure frame and not bearing the load of the main structure. It is like the "coat" of a building, with its main functions being wind protection, rain protection, heat preservation, heat insulation, sound insulation, lighting and vision.
Main types
According to the construction method and appearance, construction glass wall are mainly classified into the following categories:
Frame curtain wall
Exposed frame curtain wall: A form in which metal frame (mainly aluminum alloy) components are exposed outside the panels. It is the most traditional and widely used form, with a solid structure and stable performance.
Hidden-frame curtain wall: The metal frame is hidden behind the glass panels. From the outside, it appears as a complete glass surface, with a simple and modern appearance. The requirements for the performance and construction techniques of structural adhesives are extremely high.
Semi-hidden frame curtain wall: One of the horizontal or vertical frames is hidden while the other is exposed, which is a combination of visible and hidden frames.
Unitized curtain wall
The panels and metal frames are assembled into a complete curtain wall unit in the factory and directly transported to the construction site for hoisting and hanging on the main structure. It features fast construction speed, controllable quality and excellent waterproof performance, making it the top choice for modern super high-rise buildings.
Point-supported glass curtain wall
The glass panel is supported and fixed by using metal claw pieces (connection claws). Its most prominent feature is its excellent transparency, with an unobstructed view. It is often used in the lobbies and skylights of large public buildings. Tempered glass with higher strength (usually laminated glass) should be used.
All-glass curtain wall
It usually refers to a curtain wall system composed of glass ribs and glass panels, completely without a metal frame, achieving the ultimate transparency. It is often used in areas such as shopping malls and the ground floors of hotels that require the ultimate visual effect.
Double-layer breathing curtain wall (dynamic curtain wall)
It is composed of two layers of glass curtain walls, inner and outer, with a ventilation and air exchange layer formed in the middle. By regulating the flow of air between floors, it can achieve the effects of keeping warm in winter and cool in summer, improving ventilation, and reducing noise. It is a symbol of high-tech and green buildings, but its cost and structure are relatively complex.
Core technologies and components
Modern glass curtain walls are far more than just "a piece of glass"; they are a complex system:
"Glass"
Tempered glass: High strength, breaks into small particles when broken, and has high safety. (Required
Laminated glass: There is a PVB film sandwiched between two pieces of glass. Even if it breaks, the fragments will not fall off. It has good impact resistance, anti-theft and sound insulation effects.
Insulating glass: Two or more pieces of glass are separated by spacers, with dry air or inert gas filled in between. It is the key to thermal insulation and heat preservation.
Low-E glass (low-emissivity glass) : By coating multiple layers of metal or other compound films on the surface of the glass, it can reflect far-infrared thermal radiation and significantly reduce the energy consumption of air conditioners. It is the core of modern energy-saving curtain walls.
Colored glazed glass: Ceramic glaze is printed on the glass and permanently sintered, used for decoration and shading.
Profile
It is mainly aluminum alloy profiles, which are light in weight, high in strength, corrosion-resistant and easy to process and form. The surface will undergo anodizing, powder coating or fluorocarbon coating treatment to enhance durability and aesthetics.
Sealing material
Silicone structural sealant: It is used for bonding the glass and the frame in hidden-frame curtain walls and is a lifeline material.
Silicone weather-resistant sealant: Used for sealing and waterproofing of board joints, resistant to ultraviolet rays and weathering.
Rubber strip: Used for elastic padding and sealing between the frame and the glass.
Hardware and connectors
This includes various embedded parts, adapter parts, fasteners, window opening hardware, etc., to ensure that the entire system is safely and firmly connected to the main structure of the building.
