Glasgow · Glasgow & Dunbartonshire
Curtain Walling in Glasgow
Misted, cracked or leaking facade units in Glasgow can usually be replaced individually, and we can survey the system and access before quoting.
- G1
- G2
- G3
- G4
- G5
- G11
- Guide from £455 per m²
Commercial glazed screens in Glasgow: what to know
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.
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.
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.
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.
What you get
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
- System selection and glass specification for the building
About Glasgow for this job
- Postcodes covered
- G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G11, G12, G13, G14, G15, G20, G21, G22, G23 and the surrounding area, including Rutherglen, Bishopbriggs and Giffnock
- Coast
- Glasgow sits roughly 18 km from the nearest coastline, close enough that exposure on open or high ground is worth considering. 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.
- Daylight and sun
- In Glasgow the midwinter sun reaches about 11° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 6.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 58° and 17.3 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
- 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.
- Rules in Scotland
- 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.
Guide prices in Glasgow
| 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
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.
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.
Curtain Walling in Glasgow: questions
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.
Does new curtain walling need building regulations approval?
New curtain walling is building work that has to meet requirements for structure, energy and fire, so it is normally checked by building control as part of the project. The approval route depends on the building and the nation, because England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems. Planning permission may also be needed for changes to appearance.
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.
Do you cover Glasgow for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Glasgow and the surrounding Glasgow & Dunbartonshire area, including postcode districts G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5, and nearby Rutherglen, Bishopbriggs and Giffnock. 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 Glasgow
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.