Curtain walling has become one of the widely specified facade solutions for commercial buildings across the UK, and Lancashire is no exception. Curtain walling is an exterior cladding system that is typically made from glass panels and aluminium frames. Curtain walling is designed to protect a building from the elements while allowing natural light to pass through without any interruption. For businesses considering a curtain walling installation, it is essential to understand how curtain walling works, what curtain walling involves and how to select the team for curtain walling.
In Lancashire, where commercial properties range from new developments to renovated buildings, the right curtain wall glazing system needs to suit the building’s design, height and everyday use. Choosing experienced curtain walling contractors is therefore an important part of getting the installation right.
Why Choose Curtain Walling Installation for a Commercial Building?
The outside of a building needs to look good and work well. Curtain walling installation is a way to get both look and function without making the design too hard to understand.
For example, a big window outside can let natural light into offices, showrooms and other places where people spend time. At the same time, the aluminium frame gives a neat look around the glass.
Curtain walling can also help an old commercial building look more modern during a renovation. For a building, it can be part of the overall design from the very beginning.
What Does Curtain Wall Glazing Involve?
Curtain wall glazing is not a fixed product. Curtain wall glazing is a system. The details vary depending on the building it is used in.
Broadly, there are common types used across commercial projects in the UK:
- Stick systems: This type of curtain wall glazing frame is built piece by piece on site. This method suits buildings or projects with an unusual shape.
- Unitised systems: This type of curtain wall glazing panels are made off site and then fitted into place. This is common on commercial buildings because it can reduce time spent working at height.
Each type of curtain wall glazing has its cost, timeline and maintenance needs. The right choice of curtain wall glazing depends on the size of the building and the budget. How the finished result should look.
The Curtain Wall Installation Process
Installation of a curtain wall is not something that should be done quickly. It is usually done in steps. Each step must be checked before moving on to the next one.
- Survey and design: A proper survey of the building is done so the glazing system can be made to fit properly.
- Material selection: The kind of frame, glass and way to fix it, is decided based on the building’s height, where it is located and what it is used for.
- Fabrication: The aluminium frames and glass panels are made to the sizes that were measured at the site.
- Installation: The panels are put in one section at a time with care taken to make sure the seals are good, the pieces are lined up and they are attached to the building’s structure.
- Inspection: After being put in place, the system is checked to make sure it keeps out the weather is safe and looks good.
Depending on how big the building is, installing a curtain wall can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to finish.
What To Look For In A Curtain Wall Contractors For Curtain Wall Installation?
Choosing the curtain walling contractors is a key part of any project. A good installation needs measurements, the right materials and careful fitting. So experience matters a lot.
Before you appoint a curtain walling contractor ask about the commercial projects that they have completed and the type of curtain wall systems that the curtain walling contractor installs.
You can also consider:
- Experience with commercial buildings
- The systems and materials they use
- How they carry out site surveys
- Their installation process
- Project timescales
- How they manage safety during installation
- Whether they provide support after the installation
Final Thought: Choosing a curtain wall system for a building is about more than just making the outside look modern. The system has to fit the building, offer the amount of glass work with the structure and be easy to take care of. A well thought-out curtain wall installation can bring all these needs together and make the building look neat and professional. From selecting the right curtain wall glass to working with experienced curtain walling contractors, each decision can influence the building’s appearance, performance and overall finish. Companies in Lancashire should therefore spend time learning about the choices before beginning the work.
Talking to expert curtain wall contractors can help explain the system, the way it is installed and what the building needs. With planning and proper curtain wall installation a commercial building can get a result that is both useful and looks right for what it is used for.
FAQs:
1. Does Curtain Wall Glazing Help With Energy Efficiency?
Yes. Thermally broken aluminium frames combined with double or triple glazing can reduce heat loss and help lower a building’s energy costs.
2. What Should I Look For In Curtain Wall Contractors?
Look for proven commercial project experience, proper accreditation, an in-house design and survey team, and transparent pricing.
3. Is Curtain Walling Suitable For Older Commercial Buildings, Not Just New Builds?
Yes. Curtain walling is often used in renovation projects to modernise the appearance of an older building without needing to rebuild the structure.
4. What Problems Can Poor Curtain Wall Installation Cause?
Poor installation can affect alignment, sealing, appearance and the overall performance of the system. This is why accurate fitting and careful finishing are important.