Curtain Wall Replacement

Trident Facades provides curtain wall replacement services for buildings where an existing curtain wall system has reached the end of its serviceable life, cannot be effectively repaired or requires replacement as part of a wider façade remediation project.

Replacement can involve the complete curtain wall system or selected areas where partial replacement is appropriate.

Speak to a Façade Remediation Specialist

When Does Curtain Walling Need Replacing?

Curtain wall replacement may be required where there are significant problems with:

Water penetration
Air leakage
Failed seals
Deteriorated frames
Corrosion
Glazing
Fixings
Thermal performance
Fire stopping
Interfaces
Structural performance
Long-term durability

Replacement may also form part of a wider façade refurbishment or remediation programme.

Curtain Wall Replacement Design

A replacement curtain wall needs to be designed around the existing building and its interfaces.

The design can consider:

Curtain wall system
Mullions and transoms
Glazing
Spandrel areas
Fixings
Structural interfaces
Floor slab interfaces
Fire stopping
Cavity barriers
Thermal performance
Weather resistance
Drainage
Movement
Internal finishes

See our Curtain Wall Design Services for more information.

Removing the Existing Curtain Wall

Replacing a curtain wall system requires careful planning because the system forms part of the building envelope.

Removal works may involve:

Access systems
Scaffolding or MEWPs
Temporary weather protection
Glazing removal
Frame dismantling
Component removal
Disposal
Substrate preparation
Interface repairs

The removal methodology should be coordinated with the replacement design.

Installing the New Curtain Wall

Once the existing system has been removed and the building prepared, the replacement curtain wall can be installed.

Installation may include:

Frames
Mullions
Transoms
Glazing
Spandrel panels
Flashings
Seals and gaskets
Fire stopping
Cavity barriers
Internal and external interfaces

Curtain Wall Fire Performance

Fire performance is an important consideration where curtain walling interfaces with compartment floors, walls or external wall systems.

The replacement design should account for the required fire-stopping arrangements and interfaces rather than treating the curtain wall as an isolated component.

Curtain Wall Replacement in Occupied Buildings

Replacement projects can involve occupied residential or commercial buildings.

Planning therefore needs to consider:

Access
Protection
Noise
Weather
Occupant safety
Programme
Temporary arrangements
Sequencing
Site logistics

Complete Curtain Wall Replacement

Trident Facades can support projects through:

Investigation → Design → Specification → Removal → Installation → Completion

Where an existing assessment has already identified the need for replacement, we can work from the available documentation to establish the next stage.