Witney · Oxfordshire
Curtain Walling in Witney
Curtain walling in Witney starts with a survey of the openings, structure and access, then a written quote that fixes the price for the system and glass shown.
- OX28
- Guide from £455 per m²
Commercial glazed screens in Witney
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.
BS EN 13830 is the product standard for curtain walling. It treats the system as a kit, including its fixings, set from vertical up to 15 degrees off vertical. Sloping roof glazing and patent glazing fall outside it and are covered by other standards.
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 you get
- System selection and glass specification for the building
- Supply and installation of framing, glass and panels
- Sealing, weathering and drainage details at all interfaces
- Fabrication drawings and coordination with other trades
About Witney for this job
- Postcodes covered
- OX28 and the surrounding area, including Carterton, Oxford and Abingdon
- Coast
- Witney is well inland, around 63 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Witney the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.5 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.5 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 Witney
| 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
If the glass sits in a fire-resisting door or screen, such as a flat entrance door or a commercial corridor screen, it must be replaced with fire-rated glazing tested as part of that system. Ordinary toughened glass is not a substitute.
Choosing your curtain walling
Solar control glass
Coated glass that limits solar heat gain on sunny elevations while keeping good daylight, reducing overheating and glare inside.
Structural silicone glazing
Glass bonded to carrier frames with structural sealant, giving a flush external face with minimal visible framing.
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 Witney: questions
Do glazed screens in offices and entrances need markings?
Large areas of clear glass that people could walk into need to be made visible. In England, the guidance for buildings other than dwellings puts manifestation at 850–1000mm and 1400–1600mm above the floor, and workplace rules across Great Britain require glass to be marked where needed for safety. Frosted bands or logos can meet this.
Should I choose a stick or unitised curtain wall?
A stick system is assembled on site and generally suits low-rise buildings, entrances and smaller screens, with simpler logistics. A unitised system uses factory-made panels lifted into place, which reduces site joints and work at height but needs cranage and longer planning. The building's height, access and programme usually decide which is the right fit.
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 Witney for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Witney and the surrounding Oxfordshire area, including postcode districts OX28, and nearby Carterton, Oxford and Abingdon. 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 Witney
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.