curtain wall
A continuous facade of panels joined to a metal support frame hung outside the building framework.
Pictured: Guthrie Theater
A curtain wall is a continuous sheet of panels joined to a metal support frame which is hung onto the outside of a building framework. These sheets may be constructed from prefabricated panels (often as tall as 3 floors each), or assembled at the construction site from their component windows, panels, and vertical and horizontal framing pieces.
The most common panel materials in a curtain wall are glass and aluminum, with an aluminum frame. However other facade materials can be integrated into a curtain wall, including panels of stone veneer.
The supporting metal frame joins the panels into a hanging facade system. Panel facades instead use individually mounted bordering pieces without that shared hanging framework.
curtain wall Photos
Related definitions
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double skin
A facade with two separate skins enclosing a continuous cavity that can contain naturally or mechanically ventilated air. -
frame + infill
A facade where the framework grid is exposed, and each opening is filled by windows or any other facade materials. -
logs
A facade of parallel rounded logs joined along their long sides, usually horizontally but also vertically. -
masonry
A facade of fitted blocks stacked in regular courses or patterns, with the units bearing on those below. -
panels
A facade formed by many independent bordering sheets mounted onto the framework. -
plastered coating
A facade covered by a layer of protective or decorative material other than paint, which is applied in wet form. -
rubble masonry
A facade made of uncut stones fitted together loosely or approximately, not in regular courses or patterns. -
shear wall
A facade formed by an exposed continuous structural wall, potentially perforated by windows or doors. -
sheeting
A facade formed by a continuous sheet or membrane mounted over the framework. -
shingles
A facade of many small, thin, flat pieces arranged so that upper pieces overlap the pieces below. -
slats
A facade of parallel long, thin strips fitted flush against neighboring strips without overlapping. -
tiles
A facade composed of many hard units which are individually mounted to a back surface. -
trained plants
A facade constructed out of living plants trained or planted to form an intended shape. -
weatherboarding
A facade of horizontal parallel boards or slats, each angled outward at the bottom to overlap the piece below.