What Is A Curtain Wall In Construction?

In construction, a curtain wall refers to the system of panels—typically aluminum frames with glass infill—fastened to the floor slabs or columns of a building. Unlike masonry or concrete walls, curtain walls do not carry structural loads from the roof or floors; instead, they transfer wind and seismic loads to the main building structure. The installation involves anchoring brackets, horizontal rails (transoms), and vertical mullions to the building frame, creating modules that hold insulated glass units. These modules are sealed to resist water and air infiltration through gaskets and sealants. Curtain walls streamline construction schedules by prefabricating modules off-site and offer architects enormous freedom in façade design, ranging from clear vision glass to opaque spandrel panels.