Market Harborough · Northamptonshire
Curtain Walling in Market Harborough
From capped systems to structural silicone glazing, we can quote for curtain walling in Market Harborough that balances daylight, solar gain and thermal performance.
- LE16
- Guide from £455 per m²
About curtain wall glass replacement in Market Harborough
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.
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.
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 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.
What's included
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Final inspection, clean and maintenance guidance
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
Local details for Market Harborough
- Postcodes covered
- LE16 and the surrounding area, including Corby, Kettering and Wigston Magna
- Coast
- Market Harborough is well inland, around 80 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Market Harborough 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 Market Harborough
| 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.
Options to choose between
Capped system
Glass clamped by pressure plates behind a visible external cap, available in different profiles and colours to emphasise the grid.
Integrated opening vents
Top-hung or parallel-opening vents built into the curtain wall grid to provide natural ventilation without breaking the facade line.
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 Market Harborough: questions
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.
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.
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 Market Harborough for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Market Harborough and the surrounding Northamptonshire area, including postcode districts LE16, and nearby Corby, Kettering and Wigston Magna. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
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