WINDOW WALL SYSTEM

Introduction
In commercial construction, glass is a
versatile design element. It can serve
decorative and functional purposes,
and glass exterior facades are one of
the most popular elements in modern
mid- and high-rise design. Builders
have numerous options for integrating
glass into exterior walls, but two of
the most common are curtain walls
and window walls.
Evolution of glass facade
Over the last 150 years, many important innovations have led the
evolution of tall buildings. The introduction of steel and concrete
enabled buildings to reach higher and allowed them to have non-
structural façades.

The Crystal Palace (1851) Hallidie Building (1918)

Tall buildings were reserved for commercial use at the time, but high-
rise residential buildings soon followed. Early iterations of the façades
used stone and brick, and later cast in place concrete and pre-cast
concrete panels were used.

After that Glass façades were famously introduced on a large scale

with The Crystal Palace (1851) in London for the Great Exhibition,
however, it is argued that the modern glass façade as we know it, also
known as the glass and metal curtain wall, first appeared with the
Hallidie Building in San Francisco in 1918.

Flatiron Building (1902) Empire State Building (1931)

As the technology developed, and window glass became a more accessible material, the curtain wall grew to be a favorite of modern
architects and wealthy companies who wanted to design and construct state of the art buildings. The glass building is now a defining
feature of modern city skylines.

Burj Khalifa (2009)

One World Trade Centre (2013)

Local

Zuellig building (2013) GT Tower International(2004)

What is a window
wall system?

Window wall systems are commonly used in ribbon window configurations or punched
openings. A window wall is achieved by placing glazing between a building's concrete slabs,
using the slabs as structural support. Window walls have a break between the glass, with
slab covers used to conceal the concrete. Window walls are often used in residential
applications as they allow for more customizable sections such as windows and balcony
doors. They are most commonly installed from the inside of a building, which is a safer, more
efficient and more cost effective.
What is the difference between
curtain wall and window wall
systems?

They are quite similar, and the terminology can even be

confusing. The window wall has been considered by
some as a type of curtain wall. However, there is a clear
difference between the systems. Simply put, the
difference between the systems is that the window
wall structurally sits between the slabs and the curtain
wall is hung off the slabs.
How Are Window Walls Built?
In general, there are 2 ways window walls are built:
in the factory and on site.

1.) Factory-built windows

are constructed off-site in a controlled environment. They are

transported to the job site then set-in place. These pre-
fabricated units are installed in wall openings either with
anchors, clips, or nailing flanges.

2.) Site-built windows

are constructed on the job site from pieces and parts that are
delivered from the factory. They are typically more complicated
window systems.
How Are Window Walls Installed?
Window wall systems are installed two ways: with concealed anchors, clips, and
fasteners or with nailing flanges.

1.) Window walls with anchors and clips 2.) Windows with nailing flanges

are typically fastened to the sides, top, and bottom of the wall are secured to the wall through the face of the
framing where they secure to wall studs, blocking, and headers. sheathing on the exterior.
Most common windows wall types
• Vinyl
• Fiberglass
• Aluminum
• Wood
• Steel
• Frameless systems
Pros and Cons of a window
wall system

PROS CONS

• customizability • Load bearing

• ease of installation • More susceptible to leaking
• cost savings • Less continuous look than curtain
• less engineering and safety wall systems
considerations
• the risk of sound transmittance is
greatly reduced
• Easy to repair and replace without
affecting the adjoining units.
Installation of window walls
Two main types of curtain wall
system

Stick construction
The curtain wall frame is constructed mainly on site with mullions
and transoms supporting glass, spandrel panels, metal panels and
brise-soleils, connected piece by piece.

Unitized construction
The curtain wall is composed of large units that are assembled
in the factory, shipped to the site and erected on the building.
Aluminium profiles are used to form the frame, which is normally
one-storey high
Components of a Curtain Wall

• Transom – a horizontal crossbar in a window to provide

cross-ventilation while maintaining security and privacy.

• Mullions – a vertical element that forms a division between

units of a window or screen. It supports the glazing of the
window and provide structural support to an arch or lintel
above the window opening.

• Vision Glass - is designed to help hide features between the

floors of a building, including vents, wires, slab ends and
mechanical equipment.

• Anchor - They are typically used to secure objects to

materials that are normally resistant to screws or nails, such
as concrete.
Pros and Cons of a curtain wall
system

PROS CONS

• lightweight and durable • Curtain walling needs maintenance

• Curtain walls let the light in • Curtain walls are harder to install
• aesthetically pleasing • More expensive than window wall
• Curtain walls are weather resistant
Installation of curtain wall 3.) It will lift into place using a crane either
from the ground or from inside of the building.
1.) Install the anchors that will be used to
place the curtain wall.

2.) Mark when completed so the other trades 4.) When placed it is located into the curtain wall
know they can complete the steps outside. anchors and adjusted to fine tune the elevation.
5.) The placement is checked for accuracy 7.) Fire protection foam is cut to fill the gap between the
using a site level or rotating laser. floor and the curtain wall unit.

6.) The weather resistant sealant is applied to 8.) smoke sealed is applied to the foam to
each of the curtain wall scenes to create cover any small gaps.
airtight weather resistant.
9.) Completing the interior by placing the sill
bracket and installing the window sill
extension.

11.) Temporary coating is applied to protect the metal

during the interior construction.

10.) It is hammered into place to

ensure a tight fit.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
USING WINDOW WALL

A CONDO IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Hurteau-Miller Residence by Kariouk Architects Akey Residence by AZD Associates

EXAMPLE BUILDINGS

Kent State Center for Architecture and Environmental Design by Davis-Harrington Welcome Center by Dake Wells Architecture,
WEISS / MANFREDI, Kent, OH, United States Springfield, Mo., United States

.
Reference :

• https://www.aerosealcorp.com/ • https://www.pellabranch.com/seattle/
• https://www.lenmak.com/curtain-window-wall/ • https://youtu.be/qyY9Fx8pNts
• https://yr-architecture.com/ • https://buildingtall.utoronto.ca/wp-
content/uploads/2016/07/Marquis_P_et_al_CON125_Window_
• https://vernsglass.com/ Wall_Curtain_Wall.pdf
• https://youtu.be/V5ddRppd2Tc • https://www.reynaers.com/en/home
• https://www.grahamwindows.com/grahams-window-wall- • https://theconstructor.org/
solution/
WALL TYPES
Cavity wall

Cavity wall is a double wall consisting of two

separate walls called “skins” or “leaves” of
masonry separated by an air space and joined
together by metal ties at suitable intervals.

Why do we use cavity walling

• Damp Prevention
• Thermal Insulation
• Sound Insulation
• Efflorescence Prevention
• Economical
 Construction Backfilling
The inside of the building can be
Site clearance backfilled with compacted
The site will normally be scraped hardcore in layers of 150mm.
back to remove any topsoil from the To the outside the excavation strip
footprint of the building. can be backfilled with soil, gravel
or hardcore.

Damp proofing
Strip foundation Once the hardcore is compacted,
Depending on the loads of the it can be blinded with sand to a
building and the bearing capacity depth of 50mm then a DPM is laid
of the soil, a strip foundation can over and lapped with DPC in the
be poured along the lines of the wall.
loadbearing walls.

Substructure walls Inner leaf

Two layers of blocks are built up It is the loadbearing leaf. It carries
from the strip foundation. the loads from the floors and roof
down to the foundation. It is built
up from the DPC level with wall
ties bedded into mortar joints.
Insulation Exterior finish

Rigid slabs of insulation are Where the external leaf is

installed against the face of made of concrete block or
the inner leaf. lesser quality bricks it is
normal to install some sort
of render to protect the wall
and provide an aesthetic
finish.

Outside leaf Internal finish

The outer leaf can be built up
taking care to bed the free end Most concrete blocks are
of the walls ties into the intended as a visible finish
mortar joints. so some sort of interna
finish need to be installed.
Wall tie spacings
Wall ties must be positioned 450mm
vertical and 750mm horizontal.
100mm cavity and no more than 300mm
vertically on un-bonded reveals.

Wall ties purpose

Two slender half brick/block skins are not
as strong as one brick thick solid wall and
to strengthened it we need wall ties.
The walls are supported and tied into one
another by means of specially designed
metal ties called “wall ties”
Usually made from stainless steel but can
also be made from plastic or Galvanized
steel.
Pros and Cons of
Cavity wall

PROS CONS

• There is no possibility of the • Wall ties corrosion

moisture travelling from the outer • Thermal bridging problems
wall to the inner wall. • Thickness of insulation is restricted
• Cheaper than exterior or interior wall by width of a cavity.
insulation. • Mortar droppings on ties within the
• Maintains existing wall thickness cavity which result in penetrating
• Minimal disruption to install dampness.
• Can reduce condensation • Filling the cavity with insulation will
• Act as damp barrier, reduces the always hold the risk that moisture
cooling cost of the building. will be able to find its way across
• Reduces transmission of heat the inside.
Barrier wall
The term ‘barrier wall’ is used to refer to a system of
external wall assembly that maintains weather-
tightness by preventing the intrusion of air, water and
vapour. Barrier walls rely on the integrity of the
outermost surfaces and construction joints and are
considered a cost-effective alternative to cavity or
solid wall assemblies.

Types of Barrier walls

• Precast concrete panels

• Insulated metal-wall panels
• Single-skin metal wall panels
• Solid-metal wall cladding
• Exterior insulation and finishing system
(EIFS)
 Precast concrete panels Insulated metal-wall panels

Single-skin metal wall panels

Solid-metal wall cladding Exterior insulation finishes system
Pros and Cons of
Barrier wall

PROS CONS

• Strong and can’t be knocked over • relatively high level of routine

easily. maintenance
• lower initial cost • There are often complex interface
• They are durable and are good details that require specialist
choices for long-term projects. installation by professionals.
• They also provide worker safety in
certain situations.
Mass wall
A mass wall approach involves building a wall of sufficient mass
and thickness that can absorb any water that is not deflected
or drained away. The ‘mass’ wall is also known as a ‘storage’
wall.
Pros and Cons of
Mass wall

PROS CONS

• non-combustible • involves heavy materials.

• high resistance against rotting, • stability depends completely on
pests, weather and natural their foundation.
disasters • moisture infiltration and damage.
• provide an attractive rustic or • cannot be done during heavy rain or
elegant. freezing conditions
• durable and resistant • requires a good amount of time
• increase the thermal mass of a • Specialized manpower may be
building. necessary.
• have longer lifespans than any other
building type.
REFERENCE

https://www.wbdg.org/guides-specifications/building-
envelope-design-guide/wall-systems
https://gharpedia.com/blog/cavity-wall-advantages-and-
disadvantages/