Disadvantages of a Curtain Wall
A curtain wall consists of a wall with aluminum framing and a layer of a different construction material inside the frame. Depending on the installer, the material consists of metal, stone or glass. The walls first appeared during the 1930s and modern builders still use the idea because the walls offer moisture protection. Each type of curtain wall material comes with its own set of disadvantages. Does this Spark an idea?
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Stone Wall Disadvantages
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When working with stone, you must find a reliable contractor that uses a high-quality stone. One disadvantage is that some contractors use inferior stone that is potentially dangerous. Curtain walls do not have any uniform characteristics, which presents a problem with stone. Natural stone has different shapes and imperfections that blemish the surface. It is highly difficult for contractors to accurately judge the proper size stone for the curtain walls, as the stones do not sit evenly across the surface. Stone curtain walls also act poorly in fires, as the stone does not block the spread of fire. The stone may even dislodge during the high temperatures of a fire and potentially injure those in the area.
Metal Wall Disadvantages
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To increase safety, contractors must install metal panels with fasteners when using the panels in curtain walls. During high temperatures, including fires, the metal may soften or melt, which changes its original shape and reduces its safety features. If the contractor does not install the metal properly, then it is prone to damage from earthquakes, ice or snow storms and other environmental dangers. The metal walls must also contain some type of sealant and not all sealants are equal. Cheaper sealants do not protect the metal in the same way as the higher priced ones.
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Glass Curtain Walls
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According to Xiamen Shunshi Industries Ltd., glass curtain walls come with several primary disadvantages, including wasting energy. The glass curtain walls also increase light pollution because the walls do not block out light in the same way as the other materials. The walls offer less insulation, which may mean higher heating and cooling bills.
Other Disadvantages
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Other disadvantages with curtain walls include quality control issues. No one body governs the construction and creation of curtain walls, which results in walls of different shapes, sizes and thickness. Maintaining and cleaning the walls requires accessing the walls from the outside of the building, which involves costly equipment and machinery. The installation of the walls may cost more and take longer than the construction of similar walls.
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