How do curtain walls handle thermal movement and expansion in desert climates?

Thermal movement and expansion are important considerations for curtain walls exposed to the large daily and seasonal temperature swings typical of desert climates like those in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Aluminum expands more than surrounding materials, so curtain wall systems incorporate expansion joints, slotted anchors and sliding connections that allow controlled movement without stressing glass seals or structural anchors. Flexible gaskets and silicone joints with proven cyclic performance absorb differential movement while maintaining weather-tightness. Design details include isolation between curtain wall anchors and slab edges to avoid transferring building movements into the façade. Pre-assembly and quality-controlled factory fabrication reduce on-site tolerances that can amplify movement issues. Thermal modeling during design verifies that sightlines, gasket compression and drainage paths remain effective across temperature ranges. By accounting for thermal behavior in both material selection and anchorage detailing, curtain walls maintain integrity and appearance through extreme desert temperature fluctuations.