Curtain Walls
Curtain Wall Installation & Replacement in Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara Glass Inc. provides professional curtain wall installation and replacement for commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, and architectural projects throughout Santa Clara, San Jose, and Silicon Valley. Curtain wall systems create large glazed exterior elevations while allowing architects and building owners to combine aluminum framing with expansive areas of glass.
From new commercial construction to renovation and replacement projects, we approach the curtain wall as a complete glazing system. Our work involves coordinating the framing, glass, structural requirements, weather management, and installation details so the finished system works as part of the building envelope rather than simply functioning as a collection of windows.
Commercial Curtain Wall Systems for Silicon Valley Buildings
Curtain walls are commonly used on office buildings, corporate facilities, multifamily properties, mixed-use developments, retail environments, and other commercial structures where large areas of exterior glass are part of the architectural design.
For Silicon Valley projects, curtain wall systems can provide a clean contemporary appearance while allowing substantial natural light into interior spaces. They can also be coordinated with adjacent storefronts, commercial doors, windows, and other architectural glazing systems so the exterior has a consistent appearance.
Santa Clara Glass Inc. works with project requirements to help determine the appropriate framing and glazing approach for the building, opening, and architectural design.
Office and Corporate Buildings
Large glazed elevations are common in office and corporate environments throughout Santa Clara and San Jose. Curtain wall systems can create bright workspaces and a modern exterior while integrating with entrances, storefront systems, and other commercial glazing.
Multifamily and Mixed-Use Buildings
Curtain walls can be part of larger multifamily and mixed-use developments where exterior glazing must coordinate with residential units, common areas, retail spaces, entrances, and other building-envelope components.
Architectural and Custom Commercial Projects
Architectural projects often require glazing systems that balance appearance, performance, structural requirements, and installation conditions. Curtain wall systems provide flexibility for projects with large glazed elevations and contemporary architectural designs.
Curtain Wall Installation for New Construction
New curtain wall installation begins with understanding the architectural drawings, opening dimensions, surrounding structure, glass requirements, and project conditions.
Our installation process is organized around the complete system rather than treating the glass and framing as separate components. This helps the project team coordinate curtain walls with adjacent windows, storefronts, commercial doors, partitions, and other glazing systems.
Depending on the project, planning may include:
- Reviewing architectural plans and project specifications.
- Confirming opening dimensions and field conditions.
- Coordinating framing and glazing requirements.
- Reviewing glass specifications.
- Planning installation access and sequencing.
- Coordinating adjacent doors, storefronts, and other glazing.
- Installing the curtain wall system.
- Checking alignment, operation, sealing, and finished appearance.
Curtain Wall Replacement & Renovation
Older curtain wall systems can eventually require replacement because of deteriorated framing, failed glazing, water-management problems, outdated performance, or changes to the building’s architectural requirements.
A curtain wall replacement project requires more than replacing individual pieces of glass. The condition of the existing framing, surrounding structure, seals, drainage paths, and adjacent building components should all be considered before determining the appropriate replacement approach.
Santa Clara Glass Inc. can evaluate existing conditions and help coordinate a complete curtain wall replacement or architectural glazing upgrade when the existing system has reached the point where a larger renovation is appropriate.
When a Curtain Wall Upgrade May Make Sense
Property owners and project managers may consider a curtain wall replacement when they are dealing with:
- Aging exterior glazing systems.
- Repeated water-infiltration concerns.
- Deteriorated framing or seals.
- Failed or outdated glazing.
- A major building renovation.
- Changes to the exterior architectural design.
- A need to improve applicable energy performance.
- Coordination with new storefronts, windows, or commercial doors.
Aluminum Framing and Architectural Glass
Curtain wall systems are generally built around aluminum framing and large areas of exterior glazing. The combination provides the structural framework needed to create expansive glazed elevations while maintaining a relatively clean architectural appearance.
The glass package is selected according to the project’s design and performance requirements. Depending on the system and specifications, glazing may include insulated glass, Low-E glass, laminated glass, tinted glass, or other project-specific options.
The appropriate combination depends on factors such as the building design, orientation, energy requirements, safety considerations, acoustic goals, and manufacturer specifications.
Curtain Wall Glass Options
Glass is one of the most important parts of a curtain wall system because it affects appearance, daylight, energy performance, safety, and interior comfort.
Depending on the project and specified system, available glazing may include:
Insulated Glass
Insulated glass units can improve thermal performance by creating an insulating space between glass panes. They are commonly considered for exterior building-envelope applications where energy performance is important.
Low-E Glass
Low-E coatings can help control heat transfer and solar gain. The appropriate coating depends on the building’s orientation, climate exposure, design requirements, and applicable energy standards.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass incorporates an interlayer between glass panes and may be selected when safety, security, or acoustic performance is an important consideration.
Tinted and Solar-Control Glass
Tinted or solar-control glazing can help manage sunlight and solar heat gain while contributing to the appearance of the building exterior.
Final glass selection should always be based on the specific curtain wall system, project specifications, applicable requirements, and manufacturer-approved configurations.
Curtain Walls, Storefronts, Windows & Commercial Doors
Curtain walls rarely exist in isolation on a commercial project. A building may use several different glazing systems across the same elevation.
Santa Clara Glass Inc. can coordinate curtain wall work with related architectural glazing such as:
- Commercial storefronts.
- Aluminum-framed entrances.
- Commercial glass doors.
- Architectural windows.
- Interior glass partitions.
- Other exterior glazing systems.
This coordination is especially important on office, retail, multifamily, and mixed-use projects where multiple systems meet at entrances, floor transitions, corners, and other architectural details.
Curtain Wall Performance & California Building Requirements
Curtain wall systems form part of the building envelope, so performance involves more than the appearance of the glass.
Depending on the project, design and specification considerations may include:
- Thermal performance.
- Air infiltration.
- Water penetration and drainage.
- Structural performance.
- Safety glazing.
- Solar heat gain.
- Applicable California
- Title 24 requirements.
- Project-specific energy calculations.
- Architectural and structural specifications.
California’s building-energy requirements apply to new buildings as well as applicable additions and alterations, and exterior fenestration and doors can be subject to energy-performance requirements.
The exact performance requirements depend on the building, curtain wall system, glass package, location, design, and applicable code provisions. We do not treat one glass or framing specification as appropriate for every project.
Curtain Wall Design for Large Glazed Openings
One of the primary architectural advantages of curtain wall construction is the ability to create large exterior glazed areas.
For modern commercial architecture, large glazed elevations can:
- Bring more natural light into interior spaces.
- Create a contemporary exterior appearance.
- Provide visual connections between interior and exterior spaces.
- Complement architectural aluminum doors and storefronts.
- Create consistent glazing across large building elevations.
The final design still needs to account for structural conditions, framing requirements, glass specifications, weather management, and the project’s architectural details.
Our Curtain Wall Installation Process
Every curtain wall project is different, so the installation process begins with understanding the building and project requirements.
1. Project Review
We review the project type, architectural plans, existing conditions, opening dimensions, and overall glazing requirements.
2. Field Measurement
For replacement and renovation projects, field conditions are especially important. Existing framing, surrounding structure, sill conditions, clearances, and adjacent systems are reviewed before final decisions are made.
3. System and Glass Coordination
The curtain wall framing, glass, seals, and related components are coordinated with the project specifications and surrounding architectural systems.
4. Installation Planning
Installation sequencing, site access, protection of finished areas, and coordination with other trades are considered before work begins.
5. Curtain Wall Installation
The framing and glazing system is installed according to the project requirements and manufacturer specifications.
6. Final Inspection
The completed installation is checked for alignment, glazing, sealing, appearance, and overall system condition before the project is handed back to the customer or project team.
Curtain Wall Projects in Santa Clara & Silicon Valley
Santa Clara and the surrounding Silicon Valley market includes office buildings, corporate facilities, multifamily developments, mixed-use properties, retail spaces, and major renovation projects where architectural glazing is an important part of the building design.
Our curtain wall services are suited to projects throughout Santa Clara, San Jose, and the surrounding South Bay and Silicon Valley communities.
We work with property owners, developers, general contractors, architects, builders, and project managers who need professional coordination and installation of commercial architectural glazing systems.
Why Choose Santa Clara Glass Inc. for Curtain Walls
Curtain wall work requires careful coordination because the finished system connects architectural appearance with the building envelope.
Santa Clara Glass Inc. approaches these projects with attention to:
- Complete system installation rather than isolated glass replacement.
- Accurate field measurements.
- Coordination between glass and aluminum framing.
- Integration with storefronts and commercial doors.
- Project-specific glass selection.
- Installation sequencing.
- Existing-building replacement conditions.
- California project requirements.
- Commercial and architectural project environments.
Our goal is to provide a finished glazing system that fits the architectural design while addressing the practical requirements of the building and installation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curtain Walls
What is a curtain wall?
A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior glazing system that typically uses aluminum framing and glass to create large glazed areas across the exterior of a building. It is commonly used on commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, and architectural buildings.
What is the difference between a curtain wall and a storefront system?
Curtain walls and storefronts are both aluminum-and-glass systems, but they are designed for different applications and building conditions. Curtain wall systems are commonly used for larger exterior elevations and multi-story building applications, while storefront systems are often used for lower-rise commercial areas such as retail fronts and entrances. The appropriate system depends on the building design and project specifications.
Can Santa Clara Glass replace an existing curtain wall?
Yes. Curtain wall replacement can be part of a larger commercial renovation or building-envelope upgrade. Existing framing, surrounding structure, glazing, seals, drainage, and project requirements should be evaluated before determining the replacement approach.
Can curtain walls be installed on new commercial buildings?
Yes. Curtain wall systems are commonly incorporated into new commercial, office, multifamily, mixed-use, and architectural construction projects.
What types of buildings use curtain walls?
Curtain walls can be used on office buildings, corporate facilities, multifamily properties, mixed-use developments, retail environments, and other commercial or architectural projects that require large exterior glazed areas.
What glass can be used in a curtain wall?
Depending on the specified system, curtain walls may use insulated glass, Low-E glass, laminated glass, tinted glass, solar-control glazing, and other project-specific glass configurations. The appropriate glass depends on the building, system, performance requirements, and applicable specifications.
Are curtain walls energy efficient?
Curtain wall energy performance depends on the complete system, including the aluminum framing, glazing, glass coating, seals, and installation. Applicable California energy requirements should be evaluated for the specific project rather than assuming one performance level applies to every curtain wall.
Can curtain walls be combined with commercial doors and storefronts?
Yes. Commercial buildings commonly use curtain walls together with storefront systems, aluminum entrances, commercial glass doors, windows, and interior glazing. Coordinating these systems helps maintain a consistent architectural appearance and proper transitions between different parts of the building.
Does Santa Clara Glass install curtain walls for remodeling and replacement projects?
Yes. Curtain wall work can involve both new construction and existing-building renovation. Replacement projects require additional evaluation of existing framing, structure, surrounding finishes, and site conditions.
What information should I provide for a curtain wall project?
Architectural plans, project drawings, approximate dimensions, project location, photos of existing conditions, and information about whether the project is new construction or replacement can all help establish the project scope. For commercial projects, specifications and details from the architect or general contractor are also useful.
Does Santa Clara Glass handle small curtain wall glass repairs?
Our focus is on complete architectural glazing installation and replacement projects rather than isolated minor glass or hardware repairs. If an existing curtain wall has a larger system problem, we can evaluate whether a complete replacement or broader glazing upgrade is appropriate.