A unique storefront has become a must-have aspect of any commercial property. Business owners want their commercial place to have enough such unique add-ons to grab the attention of potential prospects.
Zhuzao Product Page
In this regard, Glass storefronts do a great job of enhancing the exterior looks as they are highly customizable. Plus, a storefront protects the interior space of your workspace, shop, or any such commercial identity.
Similarly, you can also opt for a curtain wall. This particular wall also helps you make your commercial place stand out from others.
Because of their popularity, curtain walls and storefronts are often compared with each other. In this guide, we will take a brief look at curtain walls vs storefronts. So, let us get into it!
A curtain wall doesn’t support the weight of the floor or ceiling. Rather, it is installed to protect the interior of any commercial or even residential property from harsh weather. It is referred to as a curtain wall as it hangs like a curtain and doesn’t support any load; a curtain wall can be installed in any shop, restaurant, or building.
When we talk about curtain walls vs storefronts, it’s also necessary to talk about the different types. So, here are a few of them discussed below:
Curtain walls are the most common exterior architectural design that contractors opt for. That’s because these curtain-like glass windows can be installed in any portion of a building. This makes them an ideal window option for high-rise buildings.
Further, these curtain walls let maximum sunlight pass through their surface. Usually, tempered glass is used for curtain walls.Tempered glass offers decent safety and protection. However, laminated glass is best suited for curtain walls since it’s even more durable and stronger than toughened glass. These two safety standard glass panels are the best material option for curtain walls.
Next up, we have the window walls. Unlike curtain walls, window walls require some dedicated support. They are usually installed on the interior side of the buildings. Their structural appearance and support make them different from curtain walls.
Compared to curtain walls, window walls also have some similarities. They look pretty much the same (at least from the outside). Plus, they also protect your interior space from harsh UV rays.
Moreover, the glass options for window walls are also pretty much the same. Usually, clear glass, tempered glass, or laminated glass is used for these windows. For some construction projects, tinted glass can also be used.
Last but not the least, we have glass storefronts. These non-loaded and nonbearing glass panels are ideal for shops, restaurants, cafes, and even some medium-rise buildings. However, they are tough to install especially if you plan to install them on the 2nd or 3rd floor of a building.
Regarding the glass options, you can choose from clear glass, toughened glass, laminated glass, and tinted glass.
For more information, please visit Commercial Curtain Wall.
Now, let us talk about some common differences between storefronts and curtain walls. Here are a few of them:
Glass storefronts are ideal for ground floors of various commercial properties. However, installing this architectural window design on multiple floors of a building can be a tough ask.
Whereas curtain walls are ideal for almost any type of commercial building floor. They don’t require any structural support and can be installed in high-rise buildings.
Glass storefronts might require a bit of effort and some extra time for their installation. For commercial projects, these factors really matter.
Here, curtain walls take the lead as they can be installed easily. Their installation process takes less time, which helps contractors complete their projects in time.
In terms of maintenance hassle, there are some minor differences only. Both these glass walls require time-to-time maintenance. However, glass storefronts may require frequent cleaning as they are installed on ground floors. Even a tad bit of dirt or grime can harm their looks.
The overall durability of these architectural systems mainly depends on the type of glass used. For maximum safety, we recommend using laminated glass. It has excellent safety characteristics. You can buy your chosen glass panel from Fab Glass and Mirror, a leading glass wholesaler in the American glass industry.
Lastly, the installation cost of both these architectural designs set them apart. In this regard, glass storefronts were found to be an expensive option compared to curtain walls. Plus, their maintenance cost is high.
Curtain walls are a bit cheaper option here. They cost significantly less than glass storefronts.
So, now you know pretty much all about Curtain Wall Vs Storefront. Both of these glass walls are ideal for any commercial project. However, there are some differences too. For instance, glass storefronts are more suited for covering ground-floor entrances. Also, they look great but are a bit on the expensive side.
Whereas curtain walls offer the same benefits as glass storefronts and are also more durable. Plus, their installation cost isn’t that high.
A blog written by Reynaers...
As the face of a building, facades are one of the most important design elements – and curtain walling can play a critical role. While it is easy to see the aesthetic benefits of selecting curtain walling over alternative materials, the benefits of this material can be extremely far-reaching.
Let’s explore five key reasons to include curtain walling in the design of modern buildings.
1. Ultimate design freedom
Curtain walling equips architects with the ability to create striking glazed facades through the use of off-the-shelf and bespoke systems. In practice, architects experience complete design freedom, safe in the knowledge that suitable curtain walling systems will be able to accommodate design considerations while still delivering the desired performance and functionality required of modern buildings.
2. Supporting sustainability
Sustainability is a primary consideration at every stage of a building’s design, from initial planning through to construction and even once occupied. Through its design, curtain walling can contribute towards the overall sustainability of a building thanks to the individual performance characteristics of specific systems, supporting functions such as cooling and ventilation through to energy efficiency.
3. Delivering comfort
To be successful, a building has to do more than look good – it needs to perform well and be functional for occupants. Comfort is a key consideration here, ensuring that interior spaces cater for the needs of those who use them. There are several layers to optimising comfort, including noise control, safety and security and daylighting. It is in these areas where curtain walling can help buildings to excel.
4. Leading on aesthetics
Often centre to the design of a building facade, aesthetics are integral. The trend to incorporate significant volumes of glazing into the building envelope is facilitated by curtain walling, delivering on a number of requirements, such as helping a building to fit into its surroundings, equipping it with a unique character and maximising views outwards.
5. Underpinning performance
As the most basic function of the building envelope, facades need to provide a barrier against external elements. To this end, systems are expertly engineered and rigorously tested to meet the demands of modern building requirements. This includes everything from Air, Wind and Water tightness through to thermal efficiency and building movement.
As specialists in the development of sustainable architectural glazing systems, Reynaers Aluminium offers a range of market-leading curtain walling solutions. To support architects in selecting the most suitable system for their design, Reynaers has also built a dedicated Consult Team to collaborate with architects from the outset of a project.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Aluminum Flat Panel Curtain Wall.
View Aluminium Curtain Walling Product Entry