What is a curtain wall system and how does it work?

What is a curtain wall system and how does it work?

A curtain wall system is a non-structural outer covering of a building designed to resist air and water infiltration, wind loads, and seismic forces while letting natural light enter. Unlike load-bearing walls, curtain walls carry only their own weight plus environmental loads, transferring them to the building's main structure through anchor points.
Key components include:
- Aluminum framing members (mullions and transoms)
- Infill panels (glass, metal, stone, or composite materials)
- Anchorage system connecting to the building structure
- Weather seals and gaskets for air/water tightness
- Thermal breaks to reduce heat transfer
Curtain walls work by creating a continuous building envelope that separates interior and exterior environments. The framing grid distributes wind loads horizontally and vertically, while pressure-equalized chambers and weep systems manage water drainage. Modern systems like those from FOWALL integrate Low-E glass and thermal-break aluminum profiles to achieve energy efficiency ratings compliant with international standards such as ASTM, EN, and AS.
FOWALL (DMLP Facade & Engineering Co., Ltd.) engineers curtain wall systems as complete, integrated packages — combining 40+ years of aluminum manufacturing expertise with 25+ years of facade specialization to ensure system compatibility, structural integrity, and installation efficiency.