Curtain wall installation, repair, and replacement for commercial buildings. Stick-built, unitized, and structural silicone systems across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
From a Rosslyn high-rise curtain wall replacement to a Bethesda office building leak repair, we deliver facade solutions engineered for performance, durability, and energy code compliance. Kawneer, YKK AP, Oldcastle, and all major systems.
40+
Stories
20+
Years Exp.
AAMA
Tested
LEED
Compliant
Technical Overview
A curtain wall is a non-structural exterior cladding system that hangs from the building structure. It carries no floor or roof load -- only its own dead weight and lateral wind loads, which are transferred to the primary structure through anchor brackets at each floor slab. Understanding the key components helps building owners make informed decisions about specification, maintenance, and repair.
Vertical mullions and horizontal transoms form the structural grid of the curtain wall. Extruded aluminum profiles are precision-machined with gasket grooves, screw bosses, and thermal break pockets. The framing carries wind loads and glass weight back to the building structure through steel anchor brackets at each floor.
Vision glass panels are fabricated as insulated glass units (IGUs) with two or three glass lites separated by hermetically sealed air or gas-filled cavities. Low-E coatings on the glass surfaces control solar heat gain and reduce radiant heat loss. Spandrel panels at floor lines conceal structure and insulation.
EPDM rubber gaskets and structural silicone sealant create the weather barrier between glass and frame. Pressure plates on the exterior compress gaskets for a watertight seal. A pressure-equalized rain screen principle allows controlled drainage of any infiltrated water through weep holes at each horizontal transom.
System Comparison
The two primary curtain wall construction methods each serve different building types, budgets, and schedules. Understanding the trade-offs helps owners, architects, and general contractors select the right system for their project.
Energy Engineering
Curtain wall thermal performance is determined by the interaction of thermally broken frames, high-performance insulated glass units, Low-E coatings, gas fills, and warm-edge spacers. Proper specification is essential for meeting ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, and DC BEPS energy code requirements in the Washington DC climate zone.
Polyamide or polyurethane strips inserted into the aluminum frame interrupt the conductive heat path, reducing frame U-values by 40-60% and eliminating interior condensation at the frame.
Microscopically thin metallic oxide coatings on glass surfaces reflect infrared radiation while transmitting visible light. Low-E coatings reduce solar heat gain in summer and radiant heat loss in winter.
The sealed cavity between glass lites is filled with argon gas, which has 34% lower thermal conductivity than air. Argon fill reduces the center-of-glass U-value and improves overall IGU performance.
Stainless steel or composite spacer bars at the glass perimeter reduce conductive heat transfer at the IGU edge, raising edge-of-glass temperatures and preventing condensation along the sightline.
System Types
The most common curtain wall system for low to mid-rise buildings. Individual aluminum mullions (vertical members) and transoms (horizontal members) are.
Pre-assembled curtain wall panels fabricated in a controlled factory environment and shipped to the site as complete units.
Glass panels bonded directly to the aluminum frame using structural silicone sealant rather than mechanical pressure plates.
Glass panels attached to the structural support system through point fixings (spider fittings, countersunk bolts, or patch plates) rather than continuous.
Engineering
Thermally broken aluminum frames with insulated glass units, low-E coatings, and argon gas fill achieve exceptional energy performance.
Acoustic curtain wall configurations use laminated glass with acoustic interlayers, asymmetric IGU assemblies, and enhanced gasket systems to reduce.
Curtain wall systems are engineered for the specific wind loads, seismic conditions, and building movement of your project location.
Manufacturers
Industry leader in aluminum curtain wall, storefront, and entrance systems. The 1600 Wall System is one of the most widely specified stick-built curtain wall...
Global manufacturer of architectural products including the YCW 750 and YUW 750 curtain wall systems.
One of the largest architectural glass and curtain wall fabricators in North America.
Specialist manufacturer of custom curtain wall, window wall, and window systems. Wausau is known for SuperWall and INvision unitized curtain wall systems tha...
Manufacturer of aluminum curtain wall, storefront, and window systems. EFCO curtain wall products are specified on K-12 schools, universities, healthcare,
Manufacturer of architectural aluminum storefront, curtain wall, and entrance systems.
What We Do
Complete curtain wall installation for new construction and major renovation projects. We work with architects, general contractors, and building owners from design assist through final punch list. Our crews install stick-built and unitized systems up to 40 stories.
Replacement of broken, failed, or damaged glass panels in existing curtain walls. We source exact replacement insulated glass units, laminated panels, and spandrel glass from original manufacturers or matched equivalents. Replacement maintains system warranty and performance.
Diagnosis and repair of curtain wall water infiltration using AAMA 501.2 field water testing procedures. We repair gaskets, sealant joints, weep systems, and drainage paths. Systematic testing identifies leak sources before costly interior damage occurs.
Comprehensive re-sealing of curtain wall perimeter joints, vision glass gaskets, and spandrel panel seals. Aged sealant and degraded gaskets are removed and replaced with compatible materials per manufacturer specifications.
Retrofit existing curtain walls with higher-performance insulated glass units, low-E coatings, and improved gasket systems to reduce energy consumption. Thermal upgrades improve occupant comfort, reduce HVAC loads, and support LEED and Energy Star certification.
Periodic facade inspection programs per FISP/Local Law 11 requirements and proactive maintenance to extend curtain wall service life. We document conditions, prioritize repairs, and develop long-term capital planning budgets for building owners and property managers.
Our Advantage
We install and maintain curtain walls from every major manufacturer. Whether your building has Kawneer, YKK AP, Oldcastle, or another system, our crews are trained on the specific installation procedures, gasket profiles, and sealant requirements for each brand.
We perform AAMA 501.2 field water testing to diagnose curtain wall leaks with precision. Rather than guessing at leak sources, systematic water testing identifies the exact failure point so repairs are targeted, effective, and cost-efficient.
Our curtain wall specifications meet ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, and DC Green Building Code energy performance requirements. We help building owners achieve LEED, Energy Star, and DC BEPS compliance through high-performance glazing selections and thermal break detailing.
Many of our curtain wall projects are in occupied office buildings. We coordinate with property managers and tenants to schedule work during off-hours, protect interior finishes, and maintain building security throughout the project.
We have experience with federal government buildings and GSA specifications. Curtain wall work on government facilities requires security clearances, specific material certifications, and compliance with blast-resistant and forced-entry standards that we are equipped to meet.
Beyond installation and repair, we develop proactive facade maintenance programs that extend curtain wall service life by decades. Annual inspections, planned gasket and sealant replacement, and capital planning budgets help property managers avoid costly emergency repairs.
How We Work
We evaluate the building structure, load requirements, energy code targets, and aesthetic goals. For new construction,
Structural engineering calculations, thermal modeling, and detailed shop drawings are developed for review and approval. Shop drawings show every mullion,
Aluminum framing is extruded, machined, and finished. Glass panels are fabricated as insulated glass units with specified coatings and interlayers. All components are quality-inspected before shipping. Lead time is typically 8-14 weeks.
Our crews install the curtain wall system, performing water testing at each phase per AAMA 501.2. Final commissioning includes full system water and air infiltration testing, thermal imaging, and a detailed punch list review.
Common Questions
Service Areas
Arlington, Tysons Corner, Reston, McLean, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna, Herndon, Ashburn, Leesburg, Sterling, Springfield, Woodbridge
The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Tysons skyline, and Reston Town Center feature dozens of curtain wall high-rises that require ongoing glass replacement, leak repair, and sealant maintenance. We serve commercial building owners and property managers throughout Northern Virginia.
Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville, Columbia, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, College Park, Bowie, Laurel, Olney, Germantown, Frederick, National Harbor
Maryland commercial corridors along I-270, White Flint, and downtown Bethesda have extensive curtain wall building stock. We provide installation, repair, and maintenance services for office buildings, biotech facilities, and mixed-use developments across the state.
K Street, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Penn Quarter, Navy Yard, The Wharf, NoMa, Foggy Bottom, Downtown, Southwest, Capitol Riverfront
Washington DC commercial buildings along K Street, the Golden Triangle, and emerging districts like The Wharf and NoMa require curtain wall services that meet GSA standards and historic district requirements. We work with DC property managers on facade maintenance programs.
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Call us today or request a free estimate. Whether you need a new curtain wall installation, leak repair, glass replacement, or thermal upgrade, our team delivers engineered facade solutions for every commercial building type across the DMV.