Magherafelt · County Londonderry
Curtain Walling in Magherafelt
Curtain walling in Magherafelt starts with a survey of the openings, structure and access, then a written quote that fixes the price for the system and glass shown.
- BT45
- Guide from £455 per m²
Aluminium curtain wall in Magherafelt: what to know
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.
The look of the facade depends on how the glass is held. Capped systems clamp the glass with pressure plates hidden behind a visible cover cap, while structural silicone glazing bonds the glass to carrier frames so the outside reads as a smooth, almost frameless surface.
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.
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.
What's included
- System selection and glass specification for the building
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Fabrication drawings and coordination with other trades
About Magherafelt for this job
- Postcodes covered
- BT45 and the surrounding area, including Cookstown, Ballymena and Antrim
- Coast
- Magherafelt is well inland, around 44 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Magherafelt the midwinter sun reaches about 12° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.0 hours of daylight, rising to about 59° and 17.0 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 Magherafelt
| 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
Replacement windows on houses in Northern Ireland are often permitted development, but conservation areas and listed buildings can need consent. Check with the council's planning office.
What you can choose
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.
Structural silicone glazing
Glass bonded to carrier frames with structural sealant, giving a flush external face with minimal visible framing.
Solar control glass
Coated glass that limits solar heat gain on sunny elevations while keeping good daylight, reducing overheating and glare inside.
Curtain Walling in Magherafelt: questions
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.
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.
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.
Can a single broken glass unit in a curtain wall be replaced?
Usually, yes. In capped systems the cap and pressure plate are removed to release the glass, and a new unit is fitted and resealed. Structurally bonded glass needs the new unit bonding to its carrier, which takes more preparation. Height and access drive much of the work, so we survey the unit and access before quoting.
Do you cover Magherafelt for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Magherafelt and the surrounding County Londonderry area, including postcode districts BT45, and nearby Cookstown, Ballymena and Antrim. 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 Magherafelt
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.