Aluminum Curtain Wall Systems: A Guide for Architects and Developers
Aluminum curtain wall systems form the facades of modern commercial buildings. This guide explains what to specify, what to verify and how OEM fabrication works — based on Runheng’s experience delivering curtain wall and facade systems as 27% of our total output.
What is an aluminum curtain wall system?
A curtain wall is a non-structural exterior facade that transfers wind and dead loads to the building structure. Aluminum curtain wall systems use extruded aluminum mullions and transoms to support glazing, panels and integrated elements such as louvers and brise-soleil.
What to specify
- Aluminum grade: 6063-T5/T6 alloy extrusions are the industry standard for curtain wall framing
- Finish: PVDF fluorocarbon coating (2-coat or 3-coat) for weather resistance and color stability — PVDF is the standard for exposed exterior aluminum
- Glass configuration: double glazing and low-E coatings for thermal performance (project-specific engineering required)
- Integrated elements: louver panels, brise-soleil and panel cladding should be engineered as part of the same facade system
- Standards: British Standards materials, ISO 9001 certified fabrication, wind load calculations by the project engineer
What to verify from your supplier
- Fabrication depth: in-house extrusion, coating and assembly reduces coordination risk (Runheng: 3 factories, 50,000 sq.m)
- Project evidence: demand documented curtain wall and facade work — shop drawings, fabrication records, site coordination files
- Traceability: material batch records for every extrusion and fixing
- VMU capability: visual mock-up production and approval workflow before batch fabrication
OEM fabrication process at Runheng
Design review → shop drawings → VMU sample → batch fabrication → QC documentation → delivery and site coordination. Our 69,484-file engineering archive documents every project stage — the same process that satisfied Hong Kong Airport Authority, Hospital Authority and developers across Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK.
Integrated facade elements
- Facade louvers: RS series louvers integrated into curtain wall designs for ventilation zones
- Aluminum panel cladding: 3mm aluminum panels with PVDF coating (e.g. Jin Fung Tower)
- Glass balustrades: for atriums, staircases and podium levels
- Steel support structures: S275J0 British Standard structural steel where required
Proven projects
Commercial complex metalwork (Wui Chun — 32 engineering files), Hong Kong International Airport T2 facade systems, West Kowloon Cultural District, Global Switch data centers, Macau Galaxy Hotel.
Request a curtain wall quotation → Engineering evaluation within 24 hours.