Ballymena · County Antrim
Curtain Walling in Ballymena
Is water getting in around an older glazed facade in Ballymena? We can inspect gaskets, seals and drainage paths and quote for the repairs or replacement needed.
- BT42
- BT43
- Guide from £455 per m²
Ballymena: curtain walling
The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology publishes the Standard for systemised building envelopes, the recognised UK industry standard for specifying, testing and assessing curtain walling. It draws in BS EN 13830 and the relevant building regulations, and is often referenced in commercial specifications.
BS EN 13830 is the product standard for curtain walling. It treats the system as a kit, including its fixings, set from vertical up to 15 degrees off vertical. Sloping roof glazing and patent glazing fall outside it and are covered by other standards.
A stick system is built on site piece by piece. Aluminium mullions and transoms are fixed to the structure first, then the glass and infill panels go in, and finally the pressure plates and caps. It suits low-rise buildings and screens but needs access to both faces.
Toughened glass can very occasionally break on its own because of nickel sulphide inclusions. Heat soak testing to BS EN 14179 reduces that risk by breaking flawed panes in the factory, and it is often specified for toughened glass high on facades where a breakage is harder to deal with.
What's included
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Final inspection, clean and maintenance guidance
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Fabrication drawings and coordination with other trades
Local details for Ballymena
- Postcodes covered
- BT42, BT43 and the surrounding area, including Antrim, Ballyclare and Magherafelt
- Coast
- Ballymena is well inland, around 23 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Ballymena the midwinter sun reaches about 12° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 6.9 hours of daylight, rising to about 59° and 17.1 hours in midsummer. Large glazed facades bring in plenty of daylight but also solar gain and glare, especially on south and west elevations. Solar control glass, shading and blinds are balanced against light transmission so interiors stay bright without overheating.
- Access and setting
- Commercial buildings on open rural or upland sites can face high wind exposure and driving rain, which affect frame sizes, glass thickness and sealing details. Longer delivery routes for large glass units also need planning in advance.
- Rules in Northern Ireland
- Technical Booklet V covers safety glazing in Northern Ireland, including glass in and around doors and low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Guide prices in Ballymena
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Curtain walling, per m² (stick system) | £455 – £795 |
| Curtain walling, per m² (unitised) | £545 – £955 |
Get a guide price for your size
Glass in a fire-resisting door or screen must be replaced with fire-rated glazing tested as part of that system. Ordinary toughened glass is not a substitute.
Options to choose between
Solar control glass
Coated glass that limits solar heat gain on sunny elevations while keeping good daylight, reducing overheating and glare inside.
Unitised curtain wall
Factory-assembled, pre-glazed storey-height panels lifted into place, reducing site joints and work at height on taller or tight sites.
Opaque spandrel panels
Insulated or back-painted glass panels that hide floor slabs, ceiling voids and services while keeping the facade's appearance consistent.
Curtain Walling in Ballymena: questions
Should I choose a stick or unitised curtain wall?
A stick system is assembled on site and generally suits low-rise buildings, entrances and smaller screens, with simpler logistics. A unitised system uses factory-made panels lifted into place, which reduces site joints and work at height but needs cranage and longer planning. The building's height, access and programme usually decide which is the right fit.
What is the difference between curtain walling and windows?
Curtain walling is a continuous framed wall of glass and panels that spans across floors and hangs off the building structure, carrying its own weight and wind loads. Windows sit within individual openings in a masonry or framed wall. Curtain walling suits large glazed areas and multi-storey facades, while windows suit punched openings.
How should curtain walling be maintained?
Curtain walling should be cleaned regularly and inspected at planned intervals. Check that drainage outlets are clear, gaskets have not shrunk or slipped, sealant joints are intact and fixings show no corrosion. Address misted or cracked units early. A simple maintenance schedule kept with the building records helps facilities teams spot problems before they become leaks.
What affects the cost of curtain walling?
The main cost drivers are facade area, system type, glass specification, infill panels, opening vents, building height and access equipment such as scaffolding, hoists or cranes. Structural silicone glazing, unitised panels, fire-resisting sections and testing requirements add cost. See the guide prices for typical ranges, and your written quote fixes the price for the specification.
Do you cover Ballymena for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Ballymena and the surrounding County Antrim area, including postcode districts BT42 and BT43, and nearby Antrim, Ballyclare and Magherafelt. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Ballymena
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.