County Durham · England

Curtain Walling in County Durham

Is water getting in around an older glazed facade in County Durham? We can inspect gaskets, seals and drainage paths and quote for the repairs or replacement needed.

Guide from £455 per m²
12 towns covered
Postcode areas DH, DL, SR, TS

Aluminium curtain wall for homes and businesses in County Durham

Where a glazed screen must resist fire, the glass only performs as part of a fire-resistant system tested with its frame, seals, beads and fixings. Ratings use letters such as E for integrity and EI for integrity and insulation, and components must not be swapped without test evidence.

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 unitised system arrives as storey-height panels assembled and glazed in a factory, which are lifted into place and interlocked. Fewer joints are made on site, which can reduce the risk of air and water leaks from site workmanship, but cranage and lead times need careful planning.

Building regulations require external walls to limit the spread of fire, so curtain walling design has to consider how its materials react to fire and how fire could pass between floors. The requirements depend on the building's height and use, and differ between the UK nations.

Glass curtain wall on an office building against a blue sky

Towns we cover for curtain walling in County Durham

Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.

What applies in County Durham

Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.

If the glass sits in a fire-resisting door or screen, such as a flat entrance door or a commercial corridor screen, it must be replaced with fire-rated glazing tested as part of that system. Ordinary toughened glass is not a substitute.

County Durham has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. Facades near the sea face salt-laden wind and driving rain, which attack frame finishes and stress seals. Suitable coating specifications, regular washing, gasket checks and higher design wind loads for exposed sites all matter for curtain walling there.

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.

Guide prices

Guide prices inc VAT for typical jobs. Remote and island locations are quoted by arrangement. Your written quote fixes the price after measuring.
Typical job	Guide price inc VAT
Curtain walling, per m² (stick system)	£455 – £795
Curtain walling, per m² (unitised)	£545 – £955

Choosing your curtain walling

Stick curtain wall

Mullions and transoms assembled on site with glass and panels fitted afterwards, suited to low-rise buildings, entrances and ground-floor screens.

Solar control glass

Coated glass that limits solar heat gain on sunny elevations while keeping good daylight, reducing overheating and glare inside.

Structural silicone glazing

Glass bonded to carrier frames with structural sealant, giving a flush external face with minimal visible framing.

Capped system

Glass clamped by pressure plates behind a visible external cap, available in different profiles and colours to emphasise the grid.

Curtain Walling in County Durham: questions

How does curtain walling keep water out?

Curtain walling uses outer gaskets and seals to shed most rain, with drainage routes inside the framing that collect any water getting past them and lead it back outside. Inner seals then provide the air seal. Keeping drainage outlets clear and gaskets in good condition is essential, because blocked drains or shrunk seals can let water into the building.

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 long does a curtain walling project take?

Timescales depend on size and complexity. Design, approvals and fabrication of framing and glass usually take several weeks to a few months before installation starts. Installation then depends on the facade area, access and sequencing with other trades. Replacing individual units is much quicker once the glass is made. Your written quote sets out the expected programme.

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.

Which parts of County Durham do you cover for curtain walling?

We cover the whole of County Durham, including Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham and Chester-le-Street, and postcode areas DH, DL, SR, TS. Building rules for curtain walling here follow the regulations for England. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.

Other glazing services in County Durham

All glazing in County Durham · Curtain Walling & Glazed Screens across the UK

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