PRANCE metalwork is a leading manufacturer of metal ceiling and facade systems.
What are the typical installation challenges of stick curtain wall systems on high-rise buildings?
Stick curtain wall installation on high-rise buildings presents multiple challenges — particularly in high-wind, high-temperature Gulf climates or in seismic-prone Central Asian cities such as Almaty. Primary challenges include ensuring accurate vertical alignment over long elevations, achieving consistent gasket compression across many joints, managing sealant cures in extreme temperatures, and coordinating material deliveries to tight site footprints.
High-rise façades face significant wind pressures and stack effect-induced air movement; stick systems have many on-site joints where air and water infiltration can occur if sealants or gaskets are improperly applied. Additionally, working at height increases safety risks and reduces productivity; scaffolding, mast climbers, or rope access arrangements require careful planning.
Thermal expansion across long mullions must be accommodated with movement joints; failure to detail properly can cause glass stress or seal fatigue. In regions prone to seismic activity, connection detailing must be engineered to allow inter-story movement without compromising water-tightness.
To mitigate these risks, our company provides detailed shop drawings, on-site supervisor training, pre-assembled sub-assemblies where possible, and stricter field QA inspections. For high-rise projects in the Middle East and Central Asia, we often recommend pre-planning weather windows, using factory-prepared assemblies for repetitive elements, and leveraging mock-ups to validate installation procedures before full elevation works commence.