Experiences obtained from the use of different types of curtain walls. Spain

Abstract

Nowdays, the façade built of curtain walls made of varnished aluminium profiles and glass presents no problem. Its watertightness is guaranteed and with the Climalit and Termophane glasses of 6/12/6, 8/12/6 o 6/12/6/12/6 mm depending on the case, the acoustic and heat insulations are resolved. Structurally, we can distinguish the following variants: (see the graphic on page 21). 1.°—Profiles seen in four directions. 2º—Profiles seen in the horizontal direction and hidden In the vertical direction (structural two face silicone). 3º—Profiles seen in the vertical direction and hidden in the horizontal direction (structural two face silicone). 4.°—Hidden profiles (structural four face silicone). The system which is structurally the safest is the first one and it is recommended especially for the façades of a very marked curvature, which, when decomposed to registered polyhedrons, from very pronounced angles between contiguous sides. For buildings in which we want to achieve a sensation of horizontally, we will use the system n.° 2 and in case the sensation of verticality is sought, the n.° 3 will be used. When trying to get a tall building weighing as little as possible and floating in the clouds, we use the system n.° 4. The last one represents Mies Van Der Rohe's antithesis for marking the structure on the outside as much as possible.