Why Use Structural Aluminum for Window Walls and Curtain Walls
Structural aluminum for window walls and curtain walls has become an essential material in modern construction. Initially, aluminum was costly and rarely used in civil engineering. However, the adoption of the Hall-Héroult electrolysis process in the 1920s drastically reduced production costs. It made aluminum a viable option for various structural applications.
The Empire State Building, constructed in 1931, marked a significant milestone. It utilized aluminum extensively in its structural and interior elements. This included the iconic fresco on the lobby ceiling and gold-accented walls. Its use slowed during the 1940s due to the material’s demand in aircraft manufacturing. Aluminum regained popularity in the mid-20th century, especially in construction of high-rise buildings and bridges.
Today, aluminum is valued for its light weight, durability, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -80°C to +300°C. These properties makes it ideal for skyscrapers and architectural elements like window and curtain walls.
Structural Aluminum — A Versatile Choice for Modern Building Envelopes
To begin, Aluminum’s versatility is evident across various industries. Here are five of its most common applications in modern construction:
- Aluminum Skirting Aluminum skirting is known for its durability and resistance to blemishes, knots, and warping, unlike timber. It doesn’t crack, splinter, warp, or rot when exposed to moisture, making it a cost-effective and easily replaceable option.
- Roofs Aluminum is an outstanding material for roofing, often used in tiles and shingles due to its high corrosion resistance and lightweight nature. Its excellent strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for applications requiring both durability and minimal mass. Additionally, aluminum roofing cools quickly after exposure to sunlight, and its malleability allows for intricate design profiles, ensuring a long lifespan.
- Cladding Pure aluminum cladding offers a combination of non-combustibility, aesthetic appeal, and superior thermal properties. Aluminum sheets, especially when paired with reflective foil, provide insulation far exceeding that of thick brick or stone masonry, making them particularly effective in extremely cold environments.
- Window and Door Frames The high strength-to-weight ratio of aluminum makes it the preferred material for window and door frames. Aluminum frames are suitable for modern houses, high-rise buildings, and period homes alike. They can be powder-coated in any color, and the material’s inherent strength allows for minimal use while supporting large glazing areas and resisting wind deflection.
- Aluminum Curtain Walls The most extensive use of aluminum is in curtain walls, which are the large glass and grid structures seen on skyscrapers. Without aluminum, these structures would be too heavy. Structural aluminum for curtain walls is essential for weather resistance, reducing building sway, increasing energy efficiency, and offering versatile design possibilities for architects. They are crucial for modern urban architecture, combining functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Understanding the Distinction Between Window Walls and Curtain Walls
In modern mid-rise and high-rise buildings, it’s common to see exteriors that appear to be entirely made of glass, replacing traditional materials with sleek, transparent facades. These glass structures are typically referred to as curtain walls or window walls. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent distinct architectural elements.
Curtain Walls: Hanging Facades
Curtain walls are non-load-bearing facades attached to the exterior of a building’s floor slabs, functioning like a decorative curtain. These walls, typically six to ten inches deep, span from one slab to the next and are available in two main types: stick-built, assembled on-site, and panelized, arriving prefabricated and ready for installation.
While curtain walls add a striking visual element to a building, they require fire-stopping between floors, and can have noise transmission issues. They are generally more expensive than traditional slab-to-slab window systems.
Window Walls: Integrated Envelopes
The installation of aluminum window wall systems between floor slabs anchors them at the sill and the head and extends them from the interior to the exterior of the building. These non-load-bearing walls typically span floor to floor and are no more than twelve feet tall.
Prefabricated and ready to install, window walls do not require fire-stopping since they sit between floor slabs. Additionally, noise transmittance is less of a concern. Window walls offer a cost-effective and stylish option for achieving a ground-to-roof window appearance without the high price tag or operational problems. To maintain a continuous exterior facade look, you can use a slab bypass cover to ensure a seamless transition between floors.
Benefits of Using Structural Aluminum for Window Walls and Curtain Walls
Using structural aluminum for window walls and curtain walls comes with numerous advantages over traditional materials, making it a cost-effective, versatile, and sustainable choice for modern construction. Its lightweight nature, combined with high strength — especially in the 6XXX series — enables larger spans and innovative architectural designs without compromising structural integrity.
Additionally, aluminum’s design flexibility allows for the extrusion of complex shapes, crucial for intricate window and curtain wall systems. Beyond its practical benefits, aluminum is fully recyclable, aligning with sustainable building practices and reducing overall maintenance costs.
Taber Extrusions: Your Trusted Aluminum Distributor
Taber Extrusions is a leading distributor of high-quality aluminum structural components, offering custom extrusion capabilities tailored to meet the industry’s specific needs. Their advanced manufacturing processes and specialty architectural aluminum components ensure top-tier products designed to your specifications.
Taber offers exceptional extrusion capabilities across all standard aluminum alloy series, including the popular 2000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 series, with additional options available upon request. They serve a diverse range of applications, including defense, marine, military, charging stations, satellites, architectural projects, bridges, curtain walls, and structural aluminum for window walls, all while adhering to stringent industry standards.
Processing Services Include:
- Billet casting — Gulfport, MS Plant
- Solution heat treatment
- Stretcher/detwister — 750-ton capacity
- Contour correction
- Cut-to-length
- Custom packaging
- Light fabrication
- Statistical process control
- Quality assurance — defense contractor approved
- Artificial aging ovens
Engineering Services Include:
- Extrusion design assistance
- Tolerances
- CAD software (Auto CAD)
- Ultrasonic testing — portable immersion (115 ft tank)
- Analysis and testing capabilities — hardness, metallography, chemistry, mechanical property testing, conductivity testing
By choosing Taber, you gain access to unparalleled expertise and a steadfast commitment to quality in the aluminum industry. Contact them today to discover how they can support your aluminum needs.
Taber Extrusions at GlassBuild America 2024
Taber Extrusions will attend GlassBuild America 2024, the most significant event for North America’s glass, window, and door industries. Hosted by the National Glass Association, this event brings together industry professionals to showcase product innovations, attend educational sessions, and participate in live demonstrations. With over 9,000 attendees and 490 exhibitors, GlassBuild America provides an excellent platform for networking and discovering the latest trends and technologies. Join Taber Extrusions in Dallas, TX, from September 30 to October 2, 2024.
More About Taber Extrusions
Taber specializes in producing architectural aluminum products in unique shapes and sizes for industries including aerospace, automotive, marine, and infrastructure.
Since its founding in 1973, Taber Extrusions has grown beyond its initial military focus to become a leader in the aluminum extrusion industry. Utilizing various tools and capabilities, Taber creates custom solutions for its clients, offering precise micro-extrusions, friction stir welding services, and a wide selection of aluminum alloy options. Their CNC machining line enables the production of custom aluminum components for diverse industries. Additionally, Taber provides value-added machining services and supplies raw materials to customers across North America.
Visit taberextrusions.com or call 1-888-984-3795.
