Curtain walls

Curtain walls are facade walls which guarantee the closing of the building envelope without impacting its stability. Their reinforcement is mainly composed of an extruded aluminum framework which provides insulation (thermal, wind, etc.) and protection from aerial debris and projectiles. This article presents various design methods for this type of structures. The design of such walls is considered to be "traditional" where it refers to DTU standards or written professional rules. In any other cases, special, non-conventional techniques are implemented. This is particularly true for "glued exterior glazing" (the exterior glass products are glued on a framework), breathing curtain walls (an air space between the glazing is in contact with the exterior) and photovoltaic curtain walls and atrium windows (the buildings produce their own energy).