The Functions and Roles of Glass Curtain Walls
Glass curtain walls serve as a crucial element in modern high-rise buildings. They are often constructed using insulated glass, which consists of a combination of reflective glass and regular glass with a layer of dry air or inert gas in between. Insulated glass can be categorized into two primary types: double-glazed and triple-glazed configurations. Double-glazed insulated glass incorporates two layers of glass securely sealed within a frame, forming an insulating layer in between. In contrast, triple-glazed glass comprises three layers of glass, creating two insulating layers within the assembly. The use of insulated glass confers several noteworthy advantages:
Sound Insulation:
Insulated glass significantly reduces external noise infiltration, enhancing the acoustic comfort of interior spaces.
Thermal Insulation:
These glass assemblies provide effective thermal insulation, thereby reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building.
Frost Resistance:
Insulated glass prevents frost formation on the interior surface, ensuring clear visibility during cold weather.
Moisture Resistance:
The design of insulated glass minimizes condensation on the interior, maintaining a dry and comfortable indoor environment.
High Wind Resistance:
Insulated glass possesses a robust resistance to wind pressure, enhancing the structural integrity of the building.
Empirical measurements have demonstrated the remarkable performance of insulated glass. For instance, when the outdoor temperature drops to -10°C, a single-pane glass window typically maintains an interior temperature of only around -2°C. In contrast, spaces equipped with triple-glazed insulated glass can sustain a significantly higher indoor temperature, typically around 13°C under the same conditions.
During scorching summer days, double-glazed insulated glass excels at blocking up to 90% of solar radiation heat. This means that while sunlight can still penetrate the curtain wall glass, it does not overly heat up the interior space. As a result, rooms adorned with insulated glass curtain walls offer a comfortable and temperate living environment year-round, with warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer, thereby substantially enhancing overall living conditions.
