Office Curtain Wall Aluminum: Framing Profiles and Performance

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An office curtain wall aluminum system is a non-structural glazed facade supported by a grid of aluminum mullions and transoms anchored to the building frame. Performance depends on profile depth, thermal break design, glazing pocket geometry and how well the system is sealed and drained. We manufacture these framing systems to measure from your drawings in our Tel Aviv factory.

What an office curtain wall does

A curtain wall carries only its own weight and the wind and seismic loads it receives. It transfers those loads to the floor slabs or columns, while the glass panels fill the grid between them. For office buildings this means large clear spans, daylight across the floor plate and a facade that can be installed quickly once the structure is up.

Because the framing is non-structural in the building sense, the design focus is on deflection limits, glass support and water control rather than on carrying floors.

Choosing the aluminum profile

Profile depth and wall thickness determine how stiff the mullions and transoms are under wind pressure. Deeper sections allow longer spans between anchors, but they also affect sightlines and the visual character of the facade. Architects often choose a slim face width for a refined look and then check the structural depth with the engineer.

Face width and sightline preference
Span between anchors and wind load
Glazing pocket depth for the chosen glass build-up
Compatibility with the thermal break system

Thermal and acoustic performance

Aluminum conducts heat readily, so office facades use thermal breaks: insulating polyamide strips that separate the outer and inner aluminum parts. The break width, the glazing unit and the gasket layout together set the thermal transmittance of the frame. Acoustic performance depends on glass thickness, laminated build-up and airtight sealing at every joint.

Exact thermal and acoustic values should always be taken from the glazing supplier's test data and verified by your building services or facade consultant for the specific project.

Glazing integration and sealing

The glazing pocket must accept the glass build-up with clearance for setting blocks, edge tolerance and sealant. Dry gaskets, structural silicone or a combination are all used depending on the system. Pressure-equalized designs with drainage channels keep water away from the seals, which is the most common source of long-term leakage when the detailing is rushed.

Plan for thermal movement of the aluminum and the glass, and allow for it in the joint widths between units.

Fabrication and finishing

Our factory cuts, machines and assembles the aluminum frames to the dimensions in your drawings, and we can prepare the units for site installation with anchors and brackets in place. Finishing options such as powder coating in the colors specified by the architect protect the profiles and match the facade palette.

Working from a clear drawing set with mullion positions, glass sizes and anchor points lets us fabricate accurately and reduce adjustment time on site.

Installation and coordination

Curtain wall installation is a coordination task between the structural contractor, the facade installer and the glazing team. Anchor embeds must be set to tolerance in the concrete, and the mullion system must be levelled and plumbed as it goes up. Early coordination on floor-to-floor heights, slab edges and fire barriers prevents the costly rework that often appears late in a project.

We recommend reviewing the anchor and interface details with the facade engineer before fabrication starts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between stick and unitized curtain wall?

Stick systems are assembled piece by piece on site, while unitized systems are pre-assembled glazed panels installed as complete units. Unitized systems usually speed up installation on tall buildings but require more precise factory work.

Why is a thermal break needed in aluminum office facades?

Aluminum conducts heat quickly, so without a thermal break the frame would create cold bridges and condensation. An insulating polyamide break separates the outer and inner parts to reduce heat loss and surface condensation.

Can you fabricate curtain wall framing to our architectural drawings?

Yes, we manufacture aluminum framing to measure from your drawings and specifications. Please send the elevation, section details and anchor layout so we can review them before production.

Who should confirm the structural and performance requirements?

The facade or structural engineer should confirm wind loads, deflection limits, thermal values and the anchor design for your project. We can then build the framing to those approved requirements.

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing a profile by appearance alone and only checking wind load later can force expensive changes. Leaving glazing tolerances, drainage and thermal movement out of the early drawings is another common error that surfaces during installation.

Our recommendation

Freeze the profile depth, glass build-up and anchor layout together at the design stage, and have the facade engineer approve them before any aluminum is cut. This single step prevents most of the late-stage conflicts on office curtain wall projects.

Summary

Office curtain wall aluminum framing combines profile design, thermal performance and careful glazing detail. Early coordination with the engineer and a precise fabrication drawing keep the facade on schedule and performing as intended.

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