What factors determine whether to choose a stick or unitized curtain wall for a project?

Selecting between stick and unitized curtain wall systems requires a holistic assessment of technical, commercial, and site-specific factors — particularly for clients in the Middle East and Central Asia (we frequently serve markets including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan). Critical determinants include project scale and height (unitized often favored for high-rise repetition), project schedule (unitized accelerates on-site installation), site logistics (stick may be chosen when crane access or transport for large modules is limited), façade geometry (complex curves or bespoke shapes can favor stick or specially engineered unitized modules), and local labor skills.

Other important aspects are seismic and wind-load requirements — unitized systems provide predictable module behavior under cyclic loads, while stick systems offer field flexibility for non-typical load paths. Budget profile matters: if capital is constrained but schedule is flexible, stick can lower initial expenditure; if earlier revenue generation is vital, unitized’s faster handover may justify higher initial costs.

Regulatory environment in Middle Eastern jurisdictions, fire performance requirements, thermal targets, and maintenance plans also influence choice. Our aluminum façade team provides lifecycle cost modeling, logistics assessments for shipping to Gulf ports or Central Asian routes, and mock-up testing strategies to align the system choice with owner priorities. In many cases a hybrid approach — stick in complex zones and unitized in flat, repetitive areas — achieves optimal results.