How does a curtain wall system integrate with aluminum cladding or facade panels?

Integration of curtain wall systems with aluminum cladding or other façade panels requires coordinated detailing to maintain structural continuity, weather tightness and aesthetic coherence—common needs on mixed-material façades in projects across the Middle East. The curtain wall serves as a primary glazed module, while adjacent aluminum cladding panels (rainscreen, composite panels or perforated screens) attach to a secondary support system that ties back to the primary structure. The interface is detailed to accommodate differential movement, with slip joints, thermal breaks, and compressible seals preventing stress transfer between materials under temperature variation in Doha or Riyadh. Spandrel zones within the curtain wall are often designed to accept insulated panels or metal sheeting, enabling color and texture changes without interrupting the curtain wall module rhythm. Perimeter flashing, continuous cavity drainage and air barriers are extended across the transition to prevent water penetration where glass meets metal panels. Coordination of fixings, edge profiles and mounting brackets ensures that replacement and maintenance are manageable: individual cladding panels or curtain wall units can be serviced without major dismantling. From an aesthetic standpoint, coordinated sightlines, sill details and mullion returns preserve a cohesive façade language. When specified collaboratively by façade engineers and architects, curtain walls and aluminum cladding combine to produce durable, high-performance mixed façades suitable for Middle East commercial and institutional projects.