Commercial Building Envelope
Expert installation, repair, and replacement of commercial glass facade systems. Curtain wall, structural glazing, point-fixed spider systems, and unitized panels engineered for performance and aesthetics across DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
Facade Systems
From traditional stick-built curtain wall to frameless spider-glazed feature walls, we engineer and install every type of commercial glass facade system.
Field-assembled curtain wall with vertical mullions and horizontal transoms. Maximum design flexibility for complex building shapes.
Factory-assembled curtain wall panels with glass pre-glazed. Faster installation, better quality control, and reduced field labor.
Glass bonded to the frame with high-strength structural silicone. No visible exterior fasteners. Creates a flush,
Frameless glass panels connected with stainless steel spider fittings. Maximum transparency with minimal visible structure. Used for feature walls, lobbies,
Glass panels supported by a tensioned stainless steel cable grid. Ultra-lightweight and transparent. Used for dramatic atrium walls, sky lobbies,
Ventilated glass cladding system with an air gap behind the glass panels. Pressure-equalized design manages water and air infiltration.
Engineering Detail
A glass facade is a non-load-bearing building envelope that transfers wind loads and its own dead load to the building structure through anchors at each floor slab, while providing weather protection, thermal performance, and natural daylighting.
Facade framing connects to the building structure at each floor slab through steel embed plates and adjustable anchor clips. These connections accommodate construction tolerances and building movement while transferring wind and gravity loads.
Vertical mullions span floor-to-floor and carry the gravity load of the glass panels. Horizontal transoms divide the facade into individual glass lites and provide lateral support. Thermally broken aluminum extrusions manage heat transfer.
Vision areas use transparent insulated glass units for daylighting. Spandrel areas use opaque, shadow-box, or back-painted glass to conceal floor slabs and structure. Both use high-performance Low-E coatings for energy compliance.
Modern curtain walls use a pressure-equalized rainscreen principle. The outer seal deflects most water, while any water that penetrates drains through a weep system to the exterior. Chamber pressure equalizes with exterior pressure to prevent water from being driven inward.
In four-sided structural silicone glazing, the glass is bonded to the frame on all four sides with no visible exterior caps or gaskets. The silicone adhesive is applied under controlled factory conditions and carries both dead load and wind load.
Expansion joints between facade units accommodate thermal expansion, building sway, seismic drift, and floor-to-floor deflection. These joints use compressible gaskets or sealant to maintain weathertightness during movement.
Applications
Full-height curtain wall systems for high-rise commercial buildings. Unitized panels installed floor-by-floor with crane-set erection sequences.
Multi-story glass facades for mixed-use buildings with retail, office, and residential components. Different glass types per floor for zoning needs.
University buildings, museums, libraries, and cultural centers. Feature glass walls and atrium glazing that maximize daylighting.
Lobby feature walls, restaurant facades, and guest room curtain wall. High-performance glass for views, comfort, and energy savings.
Hospital facades with specific solar control requirements. Fritted or ceramic-printed spandrel glass and vision glass with optimized daylighting.
GSA-compliant facades for federal buildings. May require blast-resistant glass, enhanced security glazing, and progressive collapse resistance.
Why Choose Us
Architects, general contractors, and building owners across the DC metro area trust Expert Glass Repair for glass facade projects that require engineering precision, code compliance, and weathertight performance.
Every facade system is engineered for wind loads, seismic forces, and thermal movement.
High-performance IGUs with Low-E coatings and thermally broken frames that meet IECC energy code requirements. We optimize glass selection for each facade orientation.
AAMA 501.2 water testing, sealant replacement, gasket renewal, and weep system restoration. We diagnose and repair curtain wall leaks without full system replacement.
Full commercial general liability and workers compensation. COIs provided same-day. Over 20 years of commercial facade experience.
Common Questions
Stick-built curtain wall is assembled piece by piece in the field. Unitized curtain wall consists of factory-assembled panels that arrive ready to install. Unitized systems are faster to install and offer better quality control, while stick-built systems are more flexible for complex geometries.
Structural silicone glazing uses high-strength structural silicone sealant to bond glass panels directly to the frame without visible mechanical fasteners. This creates a flush, seamless glass surface. The silicone carries the dead load and wind load of the glass.
Point-fixed systems use stainless steel spider fittings and countersunk bolts through precision-drilled holes in tempered or laminated glass. The fittings connect to a steel or cable support structure, creating a virtually frameless glass wall.
Yes. We replace individual glass panels in existing curtain wall systems without dismantling surrounding framing. We match the glass type, coating, and IGU configuration. Most single-panel replacements are completed in one day.
Yes. Modern glass facade systems use high-performance IGUs with Low-E coatings, argon gas fill, and thermally broken frames to meet IECC energy code requirements for the DC metropolitan area.
Leaks are typically caused by failed sealant joints, deteriorated gaskets, plugged weep holes, or thermal movement. We diagnose leaks using AAMA 501.2 water testing, then repair by replacing sealant, re-gasketing, clearing drainage, or re-caulking perimeter seals.
About Glass Facades
The commercial skyline of Washington DC, Arlington, Tysons Corner, and Bethesda is defined by glass facades. These building envelopes do far more than provide a view -- they manage thermal performance, control solar gain, resist wind loads and seismic forces, prevent water infiltration, and contribute to the overall structural integrity of the building. A well-designed glass facade balances daylighting with energy efficiency, creating comfortable interior environments while meeting increasingly stringent energy codes.
Water infiltration is the most common facade failure in the DC metro area. Failed sealant joints, deteriorated gaskets, plugged weep holes, and inadequate flashing can allow water to penetrate the building envelope and cause damage to interior finishes, insulation, and structural elements. Expert Glass Repair provides comprehensive leak investigation using AAMA 501.2 water testing protocols, identifies the root cause of infiltration, and performs targeted repairs that restore weathertight performance without requiring full facade replacement.
Expert Glass Repair has worked on glass facade projects for office towers, mixed-use developments, institutional buildings, and government facilities across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland for over 20 years. From single-panel replacements to multi-story curtain wall installations, we deliver engineering precision and weathertight performance on every project. Fully insured -- full commercial general liability, workers compensation, and same-day COIs.
Service Areas
Commercial glass facade installation and repair throughout Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Glass facade services for Tysons office towers, Reston Town Center, Crystal City, and Northern Virginia commercial high-rises.
Glass facade services for Bethesda office towers, Rockville Pike, Silver Spring downtown, and Montgomery County developments.
Glass facade services for K Street office towers, Navy Yard mixed-use, Southwest Waterfront, and DC commercial high-rises.
Ready to Get Started
From curtain wall panel replacement to complete glass facade installations, Expert Glass Repair delivers engineering precision and weathertight performance for every commercial building envelope project.