Edinburgh & the Lothians · Scotland

Curtain Walling in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Misted, cracked or leaking facade units in Edinburgh & the Lothians can usually be replaced individually, and we can survey the system and access before quoting.

Guide from £455 per m²
14 towns covered
Postcode areas EH

Curtain wall glass replacement in Edinburgh & the Lothians: what to know

Wind load on a facade rises with height, exposure and building shape, and it decides the mullion size, bracket design and glass thickness. Calculations for the specific site are part of the design, so a system suited to a sheltered ground-floor screen may not suit an exposed upper storey.

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.

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.

Glass curtain wall on an office building against a blue sky

Towns we cover for curtain walling in Edinburgh & the Lothians

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

What applies in Edinburgh & the Lothians

Section 4 (Safety) of the Scottish Technical Handbooks covers glazing that people could collide with, such as glass in and beside doors and low-level glazing, where safety glass is needed.

Replacement windows in Scotland can need planning permission in conservation areas, on listed buildings and on some flats. The local planning authority can confirm.

Edinburgh & the Lothians 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.

City-centre facades often need crane or hoist bookings, pavement or road licences, out-of-hours deliveries and close coordination with other trades. Tight sites need careful sequencing, and unitised panels can reduce the amount of work at height.

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.

Capped system

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

Structural silicone glazing

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

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 Edinburgh & the Lothians: 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.

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.

What glass is used in curtain walling?

Curtain walling normally uses sealed double or triple glazed units, with toughened or laminated panes chosen for safety, security and wind load. Coatings control heat loss and solar gain, and heat-soaked toughened glass is often specified for upper levels. Where fire resistance is needed, a tested fire-resistant glazing system is used instead of standard glass.

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.

Which parts of Edinburgh & the Lothians do you cover for curtain walling?

We cover the whole of Edinburgh & the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate and Bonnyrigg, and postcode areas EH. Building rules for curtain walling here follow the regulations for Scotland. 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 Edinburgh & the Lothians

All glazing in Edinburgh & the Lothians · Curtain Walling & Glazed Screens across the UK

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