The difference between Glass Curtains and Curtain Walls

Glass Curtains are openable doors or windows, made of glass, for use as patio doors, terrace or balcony enclosures, partitions and restaurant/storefronts. They are fitted to the height of a single storey opening and are fully openable along the whole (theoretically limitless) width of the opening.

Glass Curtains originated, we believe, in Spain. It is the name commonly used for glazed panels that slide along runners to a side wall, then can be turned at right-angles to be neatly stacked out of the main line of sight of an opening.

They became popular with owners of apartments with large balconies and terraces so that the chill wind could be kept at bay to extend the use of the area between warm summers. The application was also used to separate internal areas so that the concept of Open Plan was maintained whilst only smaller living areas needed to be heated.

Simultaneously, restaurant owners saw their commercial use, internally (for seasonal fluctuations in customer numbers and to accommodate private parties), externally (to deflect strong winds) and as the ideal frontage to their premises, allowing the division or coalition of inside and outside dining.

When Glass Curtains are closed, they could be described as a glass wall or invisible wall but the key difference is that, generally, walls do not open whereas Glass Curtains do - the whole "wall" can be removed quickly and easily. The primary door is opened, allowing the other panels to slide along the track.

Glass Curtains are suitable for both domestic and commercial use.

Curtain Walling in a building is a lightweight, non-loadbearing external wall (using glazing or cladding) that is attached to a load-bearing (e.g. steel or concrete) frame rather than built up from the ground like a traditional wall; the curtains wall is fixed and not designed to open.

According to Wikipedia:

"Curtain wall is a term used to describe a building façade which does not carry any dead load from the building other than its own dead load, and one which transfers the horizontal loads (wind loads) that are incident upon it. These loads are transferred to the main building structure through connections at floors or columns of the building. A curtain wall is designed to resist air and water infiltration, wind forces acting on the building, seismic forces (usually only those imposed by the inertia of the curtain wall), and its own dead load forces.

Curtain walls are typically designed with extruded aluminium members, although the first curtain walls were made of steel. The aluminium frame is typically infilled with glass, which provides an architecturally pleasing building, as well as benefits such as daylighting. However, parameters related to solar gain control such as thermal comfort and visual comfort are more difficult to control when using highly-glazed curtain walls. Other common infills include: stone veneer, metal panels, louvers, and operable windows or vents.

Curtain walls differ from storefront systems in that they are designed to span multiple floors, and take into consideration design requirements such as: thermal expansion and contraction; building sway and movement; water diversion; and thermal efficiency for cost-effective heating, cooling, and lighting in the building."

If you are interested in Glass Curtains, there is further information available on the SunSeeker Doors web site, here and here.
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Google Knol: Slide and Turn Glass Curtains

UK Home Improvement 2

Slide & Turn Glass Curtains

The term 'Glass Curtains' usually refers to frameless glass panels that can be opened by sliding and stacking to the sides of an opening. They are used to enclose terraces or balconies and as room dividers; becoming increasingly popular as openable frontages to restaurants, bistros and cafés.
Originally developed in Spain, Glass Curtains have reached the UK and, in doing so, have challenged manufacturers to produce a double-glazed version that is suitable in place of patio doors.

Read the full article on Google Knol.
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Glass Curtains - Removing the Pane Barrier!

Glass Curtains - tough glass panels that slide and turn to be stacked at the side of an opening for maximum aperture - are becoming popular with café and restaurant owners.

Replacing the 'shop front' with Glass Curtains has created a continental atmosphere with easily accommodated al fresco dining.

From Invisible Barrier to No Barrier

When the Glass Curtains are fully closed, the main door functions in the same way as any other door, the obvious benefit being the uninterrupted views that diners have of the village green or shopping mall.
(illustration of closed Glass Curtains)

However, the whole wall of glass can quickly and easily be cast to one side so that any tables that are normally considered to be outside are integrated for accessible service from the waiting staff.
(illustration of fully open Glass Curtains)

It is even possible to create a partial wall that will keep barriers between parties at closely placed tables yet enable access to each whole row of diners without weaving between tables to access a single doorway.
(illustration of door open and central access opening)

For more information and a no-obligation quotation, visit our main web site www.SunSeekerDoors.co.uk

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