Learn The Pros & Cons of A Curtain Wall Vs. Storefront - Denver, CO
There are many factors to consider during the design and construction of new commercial buildings.
Updated: 12/24
There are many differences between storefront and curtain wall glass to consider when determining which should be included in the construction of a new commercial building. Some of the options include type of use, safety, cost, and value.
Curtain walls are chosen more often because of their flexibility in use in high-rise buildings. They can also be used for single-story buildings. However, many architects choose storefront windows for one-story commercial buildings and sometimes two-story buildings because of their design options and ability to show off the businesses inside.
Glass Storefronts vs. Curtain Walls
To help determine whether a storefront or curtain wall is the best option for your new commercial building, you need to understand the structural functions of each, the aesthetic considerations, and how each performs in various environments.
Structural Functions
While it provides weather protection for the interior, the storefront option, also known as a window wall, is usually considered a single-story or ground-floor option only as it is a non-load-bearing system with a general height restriction of 10 feet. However, they have also been built for two-story facilities. Typically, storefront windowing is two inches thick or less.
While a curtain wall is also made with non-load-bearing exterior walls, it can be built higher depending on the building structure and the number of floors it will entail. Curtain walls are thicker, starting at 2 ½ inches and measuring up to eight inches in thickness.
Aesthetic Considerations
When looking for the best option to show off what a retail store has to offer or to invite potential customers into a café or restaurant, a storefront may be the better option. They are generally fancier, with a selection of glass options to choose from while still maintaining weather resistance from sun, rain, or snow.
Performance in Various Environments
While both a storefront and a curtain wall are designed to be weather-resistant, curtain walls are better at thermal efficiency. Curtain walls also maintain a higher integrity against harsher weather conditions and against higher winds that may occur at higher levels of a building.
Which System Should You Choose
The answer to which system to choose can be a tricky one. Consider the long-term goals for the property. Will much of the real estate be used for professional office space with a coffee shop or restaurant to provide service for other tenants in the building and their clientele? Or is the property to be highly leased as commercial retail space?
The height of the building can dictate which type of windows to install, as a curtain wall is much better suited for anything more than one or two stories. However, the two can be combined, allowing a storefront covering on the bottom floor which better suits retail space with a curtain wall on the higher stories.
Storefront windows are generally lower in price and highly customizable, allowing them to be more aesthetically pleasing. They are also quicker to install.
For taller buildings curtain walls are the best way to go. They are also often the choice for luxury office buildings due to their structural integrity, and higher resistance to outside weather elements. But they will cost more.
Of course, meeting building requirements and codes is always a factor and something that should be checked out before final decisions are made.
Contact Us for More Information
Whether you are the architect, the builder, or an investor, before your building design can see completion, you need to decide upon which glass front is the best option for your new facility.
Call Horizon Glass to further discuss the possibilities and whether storefront glass or a curtain wall will best serve your potential lessees far into the future. Contact us today.