Unitized curtain walls have become the preferred method for enclosing buildings, as more building owners, architects and contractors see the benefits of this type of construction. Unitized systems allow buildings to be enclosed quickly, which can help to speed up the construction process leading to earlier occupation. The fabrication process for unitized systems is more consistent than for stick-built curtain walls, as unitized wall systems are constructed in almost an assembly line fashion, indoors, and under controlled environmental conditions.
However, as with any type of construction product, the more the systems are used, the more we begin to understand their limitations. This article addresses three common limitations and problems that are encountered with the use of unitized curtain walls, along with considerations for addressing such problems. Since unitized curtain walls are the current state-of-the-art in curtain wall technology, designers, consultants and contractors alike need to become familiar with these systems’ technical limitations, so that we can develop effective designs that address their use for all areas of the building enclosure.
Advantages Of Unitized Glazing System
●The integral hanging installation is adopted for unitized panel, to achieve fast installation and short site construction period. ●The fact that it can be constructed synchronously with the main structure and that vertical cross work is allowed, makes for shortening the construction period of the building. ●As the unitized panel is of high bunch production and, its assembly being completed in factory, high assembly precision, the quality is easy to be controlled. ●Inlaying method is used for connection among unitized panels. Meanwhile, it has a powerful absorbing capacity for temperature deformation, displacement between stories, seismic deformation, etc. ●Inlaying method is used for connection among unitized panels, which ensures a high degree of accuracy for installation and positioning as well as high degree of facade flatness. ●The structural sealing method is adopted among unitized panels, and the traditional jointing sealing sealant has already been replaced by sealing sealant strip, which ensures not only sealing property but also an effective decrease on pollution level on the surface of curtain wall, nice appearance and neatness, with improvement of decorative eff