Modern glass facade makes a hit in commercial buildings today

In modern architecture, curtain wall facade is typically a thin glass wall, framed with aluminum, which is mounted on the external structure of a building. Since the partition wall of glass does not have the burden of construction, glass facade is similar to a decorative skirt for the high-rise buildings in the modern cities nowadays.

In practical applications, curtain wall system is regarded as the exterior face or covering of a building that spans multiple floors. It blocks the weather from outside and protects occupants inside. Modern curtain wall systems primarily utilize two materials, aluminum and glass. And the walls or rooftops are typically framed with aluminum alloy because it accommodates almost any shape while also being strong and lightweight. The aluminum frames are then glazed with glass panels. Glass has become the preferred material choice for the panels because of its variety of colors, thickness, and opacity. It gives buildings an ultra-modern appearance while also allowing for the maximum amount of natural light inside.

In the modern times, glass curtain wall systems can provide commercial buildings with a beautiful and sophisticated facade in various applications. These structures are not load-bearing. Moreover, glass panels can take on a starring role. For example, modern glass facades can generally offer a sophisticated look, which significantly enhances its visual attractions in some large famous commercial buildings around the world. Commercial curtain walls are now the hallmark of contemporary city skylines, used to achieve a host of purposes, such as: energy-efficiency, transparency, design flexibility and so on. Nowadays, glass commercial buildings have evolved as energy efficiency and sustainability rise in global prominence. A new generation of glass structures, which integrates a wide-range of green innovations in their designs, is emerging. An adjustable window shade system, for example, regulates the temperature inside the New Seoul City Hall, saving energy from air-conditioning and heating.

In the current market, there are a variety of glass curtain wall facades available for commercial buildings. For example, unitized structural curtain wall is a pre-assembled glazing system, used in commercial building construction projects. Multiple glazing types and materials can be combined into one “unit” in a quality controlled shop environment. The glazing materials are siliconed in place without the concerns for weather conditions on site and quality of sealant application on site by the tradesmen. In recent years, with the further advancement of technology, curtain wall manufacturers try to develop glass blocks that convert solar energy into electricity, opening the possibility for the self-sustainable skyscrapers in future.