Kettering · Northamptonshire
Curtain Walling in Kettering
Planning a glazed facade in Kettering? Our glaziers can survey the building and quote for stick or unitised curtain walling specified for its height, exposure and energy needs.
- NN15
- NN16
- Guide from £455 per m²
Aluminium curtain wall in Kettering: what to know
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.
Curtain walling needs planned upkeep. Clean frames and glass regularly, keep drainage outlets clear, and inspect gaskets, seals and fixings for shrinkage, gaps or corrosion. Failed or misted sealed units can usually be replaced individually without removing the surrounding framing.
What's included
- Final inspection, clean and maintenance guidance
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
- System selection and glass specification for the building
Local details for Kettering
- Postcodes covered
- NN15, NN16 and the surrounding area, including Wellingborough, Corby and Rushden
- Coast
- Kettering is well inland, around 76 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Kettering the midwinter sun reaches about 14° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.4 hours of daylight, rising to about 61° and 16.6 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 England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Kettering
| 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
Approved Document L sets the minimum energy performance for replacement windows and doors in existing homes in England: a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K, or Window Energy Rating band B for windows; doors can instead meet a Door Set Energy Rating (band B, or band C for doors more than 60% glazed); rooflights need 2.2 W/m²K.
Specification choices
Structural silicone glazing
Glass bonded to carrier frames with structural sealant, giving a flush external face with minimal visible framing.
Integrated opening vents
Top-hung or parallel-opening vents built into the curtain wall grid to provide natural ventilation without breaking the facade line.
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 Kettering: 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 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.
Do you cover Kettering for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Kettering and the surrounding Northamptonshire area, including postcode districts NN15 and NN16, and nearby Wellingborough, Corby and Rushden. 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 Kettering
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.