shfalk

Comment Threads

• David Stutzman commented on Curtain Walls, Storefronts & Windows - Tech Tips Published
  Thank you for contributing your comments. I believe you make a good point. We did not consider Window Wall as another option that needed to be discussed. This is not a term that we see our clients using, although, I can certainly see the need to address the issue. I have seen Window Wall refer to several different things. It may mean ribbon windows that are common in speculative office buildings. It may mean a multiple windows filling a large opening in a residence. And it is sometimes used, incorrectly in my opinion, to mean curtain wall. I searched the...
• Linton Stables commented on Curtain Walls, Storefronts & Windows - Tech Tips Published
  I'm glad that Steve brought up the issue of window wall, but I was hoping the answer would be a direct refuatation that such an animal exists. We have had contractors, clients, and some of our own architects insist that we include a specification section for "Window Wall." We (the spec department) have resisted this, based on the fact that the manufacturers rarely, if ever, call their products by that name. As David mentions, the term seems to apply to many different things, and once we figure out what the contractor, designer, or owner is talking about we write the...
• David Stutzman commented on Curtain Walls, Storefronts & Windows - Tech Tips Published
  Linton, I am glad you confirm that there is no consensus for what a "Window Wall" may be. Like you, we try to steer our clients away from this term because of the confusion it tends to create. We agree "Window Wall" should not be used on construction drawings or in the specifications....
• WGYoung commented on Curtain Walls, Storefronts & Windows - Tech Tips Published
  Just recently came across your discussion while searching on another topic and thought I would add my two cents. My comments come from the perspective of a façade consultant. I’m sorry to report that in the façade industry, the term window wall does have a specific meaning and is distinctly different from a curtain wall system. Window wall generally refers to a building enclosure system that is installed between the floor slabs of a building. The floor slab edges may be left exposed or may be covered with a cladding element (i.e., a slab edge cover). On the other hand,...
• David Stutzman commented on Curtain Walls, Storefronts & Windows - Tech Tips Published
  Thank you for the comments. The definitions of these systems, while seeming so simple, continue to confuse. MasterFormat 2004, the industry standard for specifications, does not contain a number and title for specifying Window Walls, but does include numbers and titles for Curtain Wall, Storefront, and Windows. Perhaps an new number and title should be added....