Curtain wall frames are typically finished in similar ways to windows – often metallic or neutral tones are popular. A very common look is natural anodised aluminium (silver) for that classic skyscraper facade. We offer anodising if desired for maximum durability and a shimmering metallic look. Alternatively, polyester powder coating opens up any colour. Many modern facades use dark grey or black mullions to reduce the appearance of framing and highlight the glass. For instance, RAL 7016 Anthracite or RAL 9005 Jet Black give a sleek, uniform look that often makes the frame “disappear” visually, especially with reflective glass. Some designs use bright white mullions for a crisp grid aesthetic (like some airports or malls do this to match interior white scheme). Metallic powder coats that mimic anodising (like a silver or champagne) are also available – sometimes chosen if the panel system on building uses a colour that needs matching. We can do dual-colour as well: e.g., exterior dark, interior light, if the interior decor or ceiling wants a different feel. However, since curtain walls often span interior spaces openly, most keep interior same colour or anodic for consistency. Our finishing is done to high architectural grade – meaning high UV resistance (Qualicoat Class 2 if needed for very bright climates), and we can do marine grade pre-treatment if near ocean to avoid salt corrosion. We coordinate large orders to ensure all frames are coated in one batch or with strict controls so that there’s no colour variation across the facade. If the design calls for it, we can also apply fluoropolymer (PVDF) coatings that have extremely long life (these are used in some iconic high-rises, offering multi-decade colour stability). Regarding gloss level: many choose matte or satin finishes for curtain walls, since low-gloss reduces reflection and looks more elegant at scale. But if you want high gloss (maybe to mimic glass sheen), we can do that too. In summary, you have full control – match building trim, contrast glass, subtle or bold. We’ll produce samples for approval, especially for anodised finishes (which can have slight tonal differences). All external caps and trims will match the mullion colour unless a design intentionally accents them (rare, but one could have say white mullions with black caps, but that’s unusual). Interiors can be coordinated with interior design – sometimes designers want a softer white or a warm bronze inside to go with interior colour scheme. That’s fine by us to dual-coat. Ultimately, the colour and finish of the curtain wall can greatly influence the visual outcome, and we ensure whatever you choose is applied beautifully and uniformly, giving your building a cohesive and striking external palette that lasts for decades under sun and weather.

Curtain walls use large amounts of glass, and selecting the right type is crucial for performance and appearance. We typically recommend high-performance double glazing: often an outer pane of 6mm or 8mm toughened with a solar control coating (like a low-e with solar control that might have slight tint or reflectivity), a 12-16mm argon gap with warm-edge spacer, and an inner pane of 6mm or 8mm that is laminated for safety. This achieves good insulation (U ~1.0) and if the outer is reflective or tinted, it cuts solar gain to manageable levels. Depending on the building, some go for a mirrored facade (using a reflective coating or reflective tint; there are blue, green, grey, bronze tints possible). Others may want a neutral clear look – now there are coatings that reduce heat without obvious tint (low-E + selective coatings). We can tailor that: e.g., a south elevation might use a slightly stronger solar control glass than a north one to optimize light vs heat. The appearance from outside can be tuned too: e.g., a fully reflective glass gives a mirror building look (common in some corporate towers), whereas a neutral 70/40 glass (70% light trans, 40% solar trans) appears almost clear. For high-end residences, sometimes triple glazing with low-E is used to get near passive-house standards, which we can incorporate if the frame depth allows (or we choose a deeper pocket system). All units will be factory sealed and typically structurally glazed or captured properly to not stress edges. We consider wind loads on glass thickness – for tall spans, 8mm or 10mm thick glass might be needed to limit deflection. Laminated inner pane is a must for overhead or where people could fall against it (it holds together if shattered, preventing a hole even if outer breaks). In some designs, spandrel glass is used to hide floors – those pieces we often use an opaque backpainted or film-backed glass matching the rest, but with insulation behind it. We ensure that spandrels have an insulation and air gap to avoid “read-through” (so they don’t look different in reflectivity due to different temperature behind). If desired, we can also incorporate silk-screen patterns on glass (some facades have fritted dots or lines to reduce bird strikes or sunlight). For acoustics, we can specify acoustic PVB in laminates or increase gap for sound damping – important for busy city center buildings to ensure interior quiet. Safety is paramount: at ground level or areas subject to human impact, we might use fully tempered + laminated combinations for robustness. In hurricane-prone areas or if blast resistance needed, we have specialized lamination options (like ionoplast interlayers) and thicker glass assembly – which our frame can accommodate by adjusting gaskets and pressure plate screws. The glass is installed either by capturing with a pressure plate (then cover cap) or bonding with structural silicone. If the latter (SSG), we rely on manufacturer’s tested silicone for structural glazing to hold those units. We follow all guidelines on edge clearance, block setting, etc., to avoid any glass stress that could cause breakage. We’ll also consider aesthetics like exterior reflectivity allowed by local codes or desired night appearance (some glasses have slight colour at angle). Overall, you get a façade’s eyes – the glass – carefully curated to deliver the light, comfort, and look you want. And of course, all IGUs come with manufacturer warranty (often 10 years) against seal failure, and we ensure proper breather tubes if transporting to altitude, etc. The final effect: a continuous “curtain” of glass that is not only beautiful but a high-tech shield for the building.

We provide comprehensive technical documentation for our curtain wall systems. If you’re an architect or consultant, we can furnish the system technical manual (often a large PDF detailing profile dimensions, section properties, allowable loads, etc.), and CWCT test reports if needed to demonstrate compliance with industry standards. We have CAD details of typical mullion-transom intersections, sill details, head details, etc., which help in integrating with building structure (these show things like how we do fire-stopping, how waterproofing ties in at base, etc.). For performance, structural calculation examples or our engineering analysis can be provided showing that mullion of X size can span Y height at Z wind load with safety factors – useful for structural engineers signing off. Also, thermal modelling reports to show U-value calculation and condensation resistance factor (CRF) can be given – we normally simulate specific project configuration if needed. For developers or general understanding, we have brochures with nice imagery and general info (how the system works, what options are). There might also be installation guides – step-by-step for installers, which illustrate erection sequence, pressure plate torque, etc. We also often produce a project-specific facade layout drawing (elevation drawing marking every panel and component) – while that’s not a generic download, it’s something we will create and share for approvals and coordination. Another crucial doc is the warranty and maintenance guide – after install, we give guidelines on how to clean (usually mild detergent, avoid abrasive tools), inspect sealants periodically, etc., and we outline what we cover under warranty (like finish and structural integrity for X years, glass units as per supplier warranty). For any special glass or coatings, we include the glass manufacturer spec sheets so you know its properties (like light transmission, solar heat gain coefficient, etc.). If relevant to the project, we might share blast test data or hurricane impact test data for the system (some systems, especially from big suppliers like Schuco or similar, have these test certificates available). Fire test certificates for fire stops might also be part of the package for building control. If LEED or BREEAM credits are needed, we can provide documentation on recycled content of aluminium, etc., because those often give points for building materials with high recycled content (aluminium often has significant recycled content). Lastly, we also give out samples – small extrusions of mullion with cap, or a piece of glazed frame – as a tactile reference. Not exactly a download, but equally helpful. All these resources ensure that from design through construction to maintenance, everyone has the info needed to execute and care for the curtain wall properly, with no surprises. We pride ourselves on transparency and collaboration, so if there’s anything you don’t see in our provided docs, just ask – we likely have it in our technical archive or can get it from the system supplier promptly. With all these at your fingertips, approving and building our aluminium curtain wall solution becomes a confident process.