Full-height glazed façades that let buildings breathe light
Curtain walling is the lightweight aluminium-and-glass outer skin of a commercial building, non-structural, so it carries only its own weight and the wind, transferring those loads back to the floor slabs. It lets you glaze whole elevations, atria and entrance features while controlling heat loss, solar gain, water and air infiltration. We design, fabricate and install curtain walling to suit the elevation, from cost-effective capped stick systems to sleek structural-glazed façades, tested against CWCT and BS EN 13830 criteria.
Your options
Cap-Stick / Stick System
A stick-built curtain wall assembled on site from mullions and transoms, with the glass held by a pressure plate and external aluminium capping. Choose it for cost-effective, adaptable glazing with easy on-site tolerance and simple future glass replacement, the workhorse for most commercial façades.
SG Structural Glazed System
A structurally glazed façade where the glass is silicone-bonded or toggle-retained for a flush, frameless external look broken only by narrow weather joints. Choose it for a premium, seamless elevation on flagship or feature buildings, accepting higher cost and longer lead times.
Why retailers choose Swift for curtain walling
Maximum daylight and views
Full-height glazing floods interiors with natural light, supporting wellbeing and reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
Weathertight and airtight
Systems are designed and tested for air permeability, water tightness and wind-load resistance to CWCT and BS EN 13830.
Thermal efficiency
Polyamide thermal breaks and high-performance insulated units control heat loss and solar gain, helping meet Approved Document L.
Design freedom
Capped, feature-capped and structural-glazed options give control over sightlines, from expressed grids to a flush frameless skin.
Fast, dry envelope
Framing the elevation in aluminium and glass closes the building quickly so internal trades can start.
Durable and low maintenance
Architectural powder-coat / anodised finishes and drained-and-ventilated framing give a long, low-upkeep service life.
Built for commercial use
- Non-load-bearing aluminium framing hung from floor slabs on adjustable brackets
- Capped stick systems with drained-and-ventilated pressure-plate glazing
- Feature caps or SSG / toggle-retained options for flush façades
- Proprietary systems in 50–65mm sightline ranges
- Polyamide thermal breaks and warm-edge insulated glass units
- Double or triple insulated units to BS EN 1279; toughened / laminated, solar-control, acoustic and spandrel panels
- Weather and structural performance verified by CWCT sequence testing
- Integrated opening vents, louvres, doors and solar shading; UKCA / CE marked to BS EN 13830
Typical applications
- Commercial & speculative office buildings
- Retail & mixed-use developments
- Hotels, leisure & cultural buildings
- Education & healthcare buildings
- Entrance atria & double-height receptions
- Feature stair towers & glazed elevations
Specified & tested to recognised standards
We can specify and test products to the relevant British and European standards for your project.
Common questions
What is the difference between a capped and a structural-glazed curtain wall?
In a capped system the wind load passes from the glass through mechanical pressure plates and external caps into the mullions and transoms, giving a visible aluminium grid and easy glass replacement. In a structural-glazed (SG/SSG) system the glass is silicone-bonded or toggle-retained for a flush, frameless look, which relies on the integrity of the structural bond and generally costs more with longer lead times.
Is curtain walling load-bearing?
No. Curtain walling carries only its own weight plus wind loads, transferring them back to the building’s structural frame at each floor. That is what distinguishes it from structural glazing that forms part of the primary structure.
How is weather and wind performance proven?
Systems are tested to CWCT standards and BS EN 13830, typically covering air permeability, water tightness under static and dynamic pressure, wind-load resistance and impact. We can provide the system’s test data to satisfy specifiers and building control.
Does curtain walling meet current thermal and fire regulations?
Framing is specified with polyamide thermal breaks and insulated units toward Approved Document L, while material choice, floor-edge fire-stopping and cavity barriers are detailed toward Approved Document B. The correct specification depends on the building’s height and use.
Which system is more cost-effective?
Capped stick systems are usually the most economical and quicker to source and maintain, making them the default for most commercial projects. Structural-glazed façades are a premium choice specified where the seamless appearance justifies the higher cost and lead time.
Get a free, no-obligation quote
Tell us about your site and we’ll arrange a free survey, with prices back to you within 24 hours.