Are Aluminum Windows Suitable for Curtain Wall Systems?

Aluminum windows often serve as the infill units in curtain wall systems, whether stick-built or unitized. In stick systems, individual mullions, transoms, and glass infill units—including operable windows—are assembled on site along rails anchored to the structure. Aluminum windows are designed with standardized mullion interfaces and pressure plates, enabling straightforward integration into the grid. Unitized curtain walls arrive factory-assembled in panels, combining insulated glazing, window vents, and metal spandrel or ceiling panels in one transportable module. These modules lock together with interlocking gaskets and structural silicone sealants, creating continuous air, water, and thermal barriers. For buildings that extend ceiling panels into covered outdoor areas, hybrid modules can include ceiling soffit panels integrated beneath window units, creating a monolithic look. Aluminum curtain wall systems offer exceptional design flexibility, enabling large spans of vision glass, operable vents, and matching metal panel sections—all unified by the same anodized or coated finish for windows, facades, and ceilings.