The curtain wall is not only a new style statement for commercial buildings and offices, but they also help the modern buildings in ways more than one. “Curtain wall” is the term applied to the structures that drape the building’s exterior for a reason. It is because the main function of the curtain wall is to protect the building from outside temperature and the exterior weather conditions.

Commonly referred to as curtain walls, these structures are usually thin, built out of aluminium frames with glass, metal panels, or thin stone filled in. The thin and lightweight structure of the curtain wall is important for it to fitting serve the function that it is built for. Com-Al Windows offers stylish and effective curtain walls in a range of designs, which are tested to bear the Australian weather conditions. The commercial aluminium and glass doors and windows and curtain wall systems designed and installed by Com-Al Windows meet the Australian standards and would stand the test of time for the people living in and around Australia.

Curtain walls have grown to be hugely popular today and the advantages they offer are surely undeniable, so much so that they have become a central structural element of commercial buildings and offices if not a central structure. However, before you go for installing curtain walls, you need to have a clear idea about what curtain wall is and all the mistakes involving curtain walls that you need to stay away from.

Most Common Curtain Wall Failures and How to Avoid Them?

Curtain walls have been transforming both the look and the feel of the buildings of now, but if you need to install them, then take note of the following most common issues.

Issues in structural integrity

Structural integrity is one of the major issues with curtain walls, which fabricators need to design, supply and install carefully. While installing curtain walls, adequate strength, and stiffness, are always required. In addition, the provision of proper resistance to the lateral load should also be checked.

Facilitating Adequate Movement

If you are up for the construction of a curtain wall, you also need to facilitate ample movement between the components of the wall, and the relative movement between the cladding and the frame of the building to which it is attached. Though it is impossible to measure the magnitude of these movements, it is important to know that these movements are mostly seen at the joints of the cladding. Therefore, it is important that there are proper detailing of the joints for a successful cladding system. There might be both vertical and horizontal movements in the plane of the wall, and proper provisions must be made for the same.

Issues in Construction and Quality

Proper construction and quality checks are important while constructing a curtain wall. Regardless of the materials we use, an experienced construction team and regular quality checks of the structure from start to finish, is important to build a curtain wall that can endure for a long time. All of these can be dealt with by Com-Al Windows, who are known for designing, manufacturing and installing quality curtain walling systems, commercial aluminium doors and windows, also thermally broken window out of commercial, cyclonic glasses and more.

Improper Sizing and Positioning of Weep Holes

Some of the most common mistakes that are often seen while curtain walls are being constructed is the improper sizing and positioning of weep holes in the curtain wall pressure plates and covers. It is important to know that the drainage path, and the size, location, type and frequency of weep holes change while going through the products of one manufacturer to another. Therefore, the machining of the weep holes should be clearly defined and should be in alignment with the manufacturers’ notes and instructions.

Alignment Ussues

Alignment issues can occur anytime during the construction of curtain walling systems. Misalignment of the adjacent curtain wall elements need to avoided at any cost because they can negatively affect the whole structure. The mistakes in alignments mainly occurs due to the errors while laying out the structural framing systems. Some other factors that leads to misalignment of the curtain walls are:

• Lack of coordination of building structure tolerances
• Lack of coordination of the curtain wall tolerances
• Lack of proper layout of imbeds to receive curtain wall anchors

Not Sealing the Shear Blocks

The lack of proper sealing around the front of shear blocks, and along the front edges of horizontal sections, might result in air and water infiltration. Here, you should also know that using more sealant is not really necessary. The use of too much sealant might also adversely affect the structure, leading to plug weep holes and to mask leaks.

Erection Techniques

The erection of the curtain wall plays a major role in the construction of the curtain walling structures. However, most installers often overlook this part. This results in the erection of the curtain walls with damaged stone, glass, aluminum, metal and more, which are caused due to careless transportation, improper placement of framing and panels during erection and more.

Mistakes in Installing and Sealing the Water/Zone Dams

Water dams are regarded as significant structures in a typical curtain wall system. These are installed where the horizontal and vertical frames intersect, which helps in keeping the water compartmentalized at each lite. Thus, the water dams at structural glazed verticals should also be sealed on their horizontal faces. Failure to install or seal them properly might lead to water draining out to the next lite and flooding the system, and introducing water leaks.

Some other causes of curtain wall failures are:

• Weather tightness
• Moisture control
• Thermal insulation
• Sound transmissions
• Breakage of the glass
• Excessive air filtration
• Condensation
• Thermal movements

Keeping an eye out for these common failures would help you build a curtain walling system that will last long and give you less troubles. However, checking for them and managing them all is tough, which is why Com-Al Windows is there by you to help you get the best curtain walling system installed in your commercial building, office or complex.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, Com-Al Windows bring in years of experience and expertise in the window contracting industry, thereby promising the best commercial aluminium doors, windows, and curtain walling systems, fitted with commercial cyclonic glass and more. In addition to this Com-AL Windows install auto doors, revolving doors, thermally broken window frames, frameless glass bifold doors and much more. Email Com-Al Windows Pty Ltd now to remain at the centre of contemporary design trends.