The development of Unitised Curtain Wall (UCW) has increased greatly in recent
years. This is largely attributable to factors such as the increase in building
height, the demand for recladding of old buildings, and increasing completion of
construction schedule, drive to reduce “on site” programmes.
UCW consists of manufactured and pre-glazed floor high units or panels normally
constructed from aluminium profiles that are fully completed prior to going on
site, including all fenestration choices from glass, stainless metal panels,
insulated spandrels to stone cladding.
Main Advantages
• Speed of site installation
• Quality of the finished product is greatly improved as products are machined,
assembled, glazed in a factory controlled environment
• Improved air and water performance due to reduced silicone sealing on site
• Minimal or no external scaffolding required offering financial savings to the
client/main contractor
• Avoidance of health & safety hazards on sites due to reduced scaffolding
requirements
• Suited to high-rise construction where it is impractical to install Stick Curtain
Wall
Main Disadvantages
• UCW construction is more expensive than Stick Curtain Wall
• Only suited to larger building projects particularly those of a modular and
epetitive design
• Not suited to most complex and angular façades