Blackwood · Gwent
Curtain Walling in Blackwood
Our glaziers install aluminium curtain walling and full-height glazed screens in Blackwood, coordinating with other trades and sealing every interface with the structure.
- NP12
- Guide from £455 per m²
About commercial glazed screens in Blackwood
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.
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 stick system is built on site piece by piece. Aluminium mullions and transoms are fixed to the structure first, then the glass and infill panels go in, and finally the pressure plates and caps. It suits low-rise buildings and screens but needs access to both faces.
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.
What a typical job includes
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- System selection and glass specification for the building
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Final inspection, clean and maintenance guidance
Working in Blackwood
- Postcodes covered
- NP12 and the surrounding area, including Bargoed, Gelligaer and Abercarn
- Coast
- Blackwood sits roughly 19 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 Blackwood 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 Blackwood
| 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.
What you can choose
Opaque spandrel panels
Insulated or back-painted glass panels that hide floor slabs, ceiling voids and services while keeping the facade's appearance consistent.
Solar control glass
Coated glass that limits solar heat gain on sunny elevations while keeping good daylight, reducing overheating and glare inside.
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 Blackwood: questions
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.
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 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.
Do you cover Blackwood for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Blackwood and the surrounding Gwent area, including postcode districts NP12, and nearby Bargoed, Gelligaer and Abercarn. 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 Blackwood
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.