Types of Metals for a Curtain Wall

Function

• Curtain wall systems include the vast array of products and materials — including metals, tile, stone and glass — that serve as exterior cladding for buildings. Though curtain walls enclose buildings, they perform no structural purpose except to support their own weight. These enclosures also protect buildings from environmental forces such as hail, wind and rain. Curtain walls can either be built based on manufacturer specifications or custom designed for specific projects. Sometimes these two systems are combined, using both standard and custom-designed construction components.

Aluminum

• Aluminum is one of the most common metals used in curtain wall framing. Aluminum is used frequently in curtain walls due to its high strength-to-weight radio. Likewise, it is very strong and durable compared to its low weight and density. Because aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, it can also be pressed and molded into a variety of shapes. The use of substances such as magnesium silicone alloys also helps to shape aluminum during the curtain walling process.

Steel

• Unlike aluminum, steel is rarely used in today’s curtain wall panels. In addition to being a heavier metal, steel can become brittle and crack easily. However, rolled steel was common in curtain wall panels built during the early 1900s. While concrete and steel are now typically used for a building's structure, curtain walls are usually attached to these steel frames. Curtain wall systems also consist of carbon or stainless-steel fasteners to attach and secure curtain walls to a building’s steel frame and anchors.

Composite Materials

• Sometimes curtain walls comprise a range of different materials, including metal, stone and glass. For example, buildings may feature curtain walls made with aluminum, steel, granite and plastics. The metal and glass curtain wall may display glass vision panels, opaque glass panels or windows. Aluminum could be used for the framing material, which acts as an alloy protecting the wall from corrosion. Steel may also be used and hidden within the aluminum section to reinforce the curtain wall structure.