How Thick Is A Curtain Wall?

The overall thickness of a curtain wall depends on its design and performance requirements. Standard framing members for stick-built systems are often 1.5 to 3 inches deep, accommodating single, double, or triple glazing. When combined with insulated glass units (IGUs), the total depth can range from 2 to 6 inches or more. Unitized modules, pre-assembled in factories, may have slimmer sightlines but similar overall depths. The glazing thickness itself varies: single glazing is about ¼ inch, double glazing 1 inch, and triple glazing up to 1.5 inches. Thermal breaks and internal louvers or shading devices can add to the total profile depth. Engineers select thicknesses based on structural loads, thermal performance, and desired sightlines.