Abertillery · Gwent
Curtain Walling in Abertillery
Planning a glazed facade in Abertillery? Our glaziers can survey the building and quote for stick or unitised curtain walling specified for its height, exposure and energy needs.
- NP13
- Guide from £455 per m²
Abertillery: curtain walling
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.
The price depends on the facade area, the system type, glass specification such as solar control or triple glazing, infill panels, opening vents, building height and access equipment, and design and testing requirements. Replacement units also depend on how the glass is retained. See the guide prices for typical ranges.
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.
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.
Included as standard
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Fabrication drawings and coordination with other trades
Working in Abertillery
- Postcodes covered
- NP13 and the surrounding area, including Pontypool, Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr
- Coast
- Abertillery is well inland, around 22 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Abertillery the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 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 Wales
- In Wales, Approved Document N covers safety glazing: safety glass is needed in and around doors and in low-level glazing where people could walk into it.
Guide prices in Abertillery
| 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
Like-for-like replacement windows on houses in Wales are usually permitted development, but flats, listed buildings and conservation areas can need permission. Check with the local planning authority.
Options to choose between
Opaque spandrel panels
Insulated or back-painted glass panels that hide floor slabs, ceiling voids and services while keeping the facade's appearance consistent.
Integrated opening vents
Top-hung or parallel-opening vents built into the curtain wall grid to provide natural ventilation without breaking the facade line.
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 Abertillery: 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.
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.
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.
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 Abertillery for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Abertillery and the surrounding Gwent area, including postcode districts NP13, and nearby Pontypool, Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr. 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 Abertillery
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.