Godalming · Surrey
Curtain Walling in Godalming
Curtain walling in Godalming starts with a survey of the openings, structure and access, then a written quote that fixes the price for the system and glass shown.
- GU7
- Guide from £455 per m²
Curtain walling across Godalming
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.
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.
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.
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.
What you get
- System selection and glass specification for the building
- Survey of openings, supporting structure and access
- Final inspection, clean and maintenance guidance
- Fabrication drawings and coordination with other trades
Working in Godalming
- Postcodes covered
- GU7 and the surrounding area, including Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham
- Coast
- Godalming is well inland, around 42 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Godalming the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.3 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 Godalming
| 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.
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.
Capped system
Glass clamped by pressure plates behind a visible external cap, available in different profiles and colours to emphasise the grid.
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 Godalming: 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.
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 long does a curtain walling project take?
Timescales depend on size and complexity. Design, approvals and fabrication of framing and glass usually take several weeks to a few months before installation starts. Installation then depends on the facade area, access and sequencing with other trades. Replacing individual units is much quicker once the glass is made. Your written quote sets out the expected programme.
Do you cover Godalming for curtain walling?
Yes. We can quote for curtain walling across Godalming and the surrounding Surrey area, including postcode districts GU7, and nearby Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham. 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 Godalming
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.