FIXED CURTAIN WALL
Fixed Curtain Wall Systems
Arqen Industries designs, supplies, and installs fixed curtain wall systems for commercial, residential, and architectural projects across Dubai and the UAE. A fixed curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior building envelope made of a lightweight aluminium grid infilled with glass or opaque panels that cannot be opened for ventilation. The name comes from the way the system hangs off a building’s floor slabs like a curtain, carrying only its own weight and environmental loads such as wind, which are transferred back to the building’s primary structure through anchors and connections. It is one of the most widely used facade solutions on commercial towers, retail developments, and high-rise residential buildings across Dubai and the UAE, valued for its clean glass lines, natural daylight, and long-term weather performance.
As a fixed curtain wall system supplier in the UAE, Arqen Industries combines European-engineered aluminium profiles, high-performance glazing, and precision installation to deliver facades that hold up against heat, humidity, sandstorms, and coastal salt air, while keeping interiors thermally efficient and visually striking.
A fixed curtain wall is a non-structural, lightweight exterior building envelope system, typically composed of an aluminium frame infilled with glass or opaque spandrel panels. Unlike window walls or storefronts, it is completely independent of the building’s structural frame and hangs on the outside of the floor slabs. At Arqen Industries, each system is engineered to carry only its own dead load, transferring external environmental forces such as wind and seismic loads back to the primary building structure. As part of a complete building envelope strategy, our fixed curtain wall systems pair seamlessly with other Arqen solutions, including minimal sliding systems, pivot door systems, and bioclimatic pergola systems.
Core Construction Methods
- Stick-Built Systems: Vertical mullions and horizontal transoms are factory-processed but shipped to site as individual components, assembled piece-by-piece on the building structure. This method offers high design flexibility, ideal for complex configurations or low-to-mid-rise projects.
- Unitized (Modular) Systems: Large, interlocking panels are fully prefabricated and pre-glazed in a controlled factory environment, then lifted into place on site. This significantly accelerates installation schedules on high-rise towers.
- Semi-Unitized Systems: A hybrid method where glass frames are shop-fabricated while the main support grid is anchored on site, balancing factory precision with on-site adaptability.
Key Visual & Technical Varieties
- Framed / Capped Systems: A traditional profile with visible aluminium cover plates that mechanically clamp the glass panels along the vertical and horizontal grid.
- Structural Silicone Glazing (SSG): High-strength structural silicone sealants bond the glass directly to the internal frame, eliminating external caps for a flush, monolithic, all-glass finish.
- Point-Fixed / Spider Glazing: A minimalist approach where frameless glass panes are mechanically secured with stainless steel fasteners anchored into structural steel columns, glass fins, or tension cable networks, delivering maximum transparency.
A fixed curtain wall and a window wall differ significantly in structural placement, appearance, and performance. Structurally, a fixed curtain wall is installed outside the floor slab edge and hangs continuously across the building’s facade, while a window wall sits between floor slabs and relies on the slab boundaries for support. This difference also shapes the visual outcome: a curtain wall creates a seamless, continuous glass facade with ultra-slim sightlines, whereas a window wall results in a segmented facade rhythm, with visible concrete edges breaking up the glass panels. In terms of height capacity, fixed curtain walls are engineered to span multiple floors and are commonly used on high-rise and mega-tall buildings, while window wall systems are typically restricted to single-floor spans between slabs. Water management also varies between the two: curtain walls use a continuous, pressure-equalized drainage system per pane, while window walls are compartmentalized per floor, draining directly into local sills. Finally, when it comes to installation and cost, fixed curtain walls involve higher engineering costs and require exterior rigging or cranes for installation, whereas window wall systems are more economical and can be installed entirely from the interior of the building.
What Is a Fixed Curtain Wall System?
A fixed curtain wall system is an outer building envelope made of lightweight aluminium framing infilled with glass, metal panels, or a combination of both. Being non-load-bearing, it does not carry the weight of the building’s floors or roof; it only supports its own weight and environmental loads like wind, which is what allows it to be built from lightweight, high-performance materials rather than masonry. “Fixed” means the glazed units are permanently sealed and do not open; ventilation and access are handled separately, which allows the system to prioritise airtightness, thermal performance, and a seamless architectural appearance.
The system is built around two main framing members: mullions, the vertical profiles that run continuously from floor to floor and give the wall its structural rhythm, and transoms, the horizontal profiles that connect them. Together they form the aluminium grid into which glass or panel units are fitted, sealed, and glazed, typically using structural silicone in line with the European EN 13830 curtain wall standard.
Fixed curtain wall systems are typically built using either stick construction, where mullions and transoms are assembled piece by piece on site, or unitized construction, where large pre-glazed panels are fully assembled in the factory and delivered to site as a dry, prefabricated system ready to be lifted into place. Arqen Industries offers both methods, as well as hybrid stick-and-unitized systems, depending on project scale, timeline, and design requirements.
Key Features of Arqen’s Fixed Curtain Wall System
- Non-load-bearing aluminium grid engineered to EN 13830 curtain wall standard requirements
- Thermally broken aluminium profiles that reduce heat transfer and support energy efficiency
- High-performance, Low-E double-glazed units suited to the UAE’s intense solar load
- Structural silicone glazing or pressure-plate glazing options depending on the desired facade aesthetic
- Engineered drainage and pressure-equalisation to manage wind-driven rain and humidity
- Corrosion-resistant finishes designed for coastal and desert exposure
- Compliance-ready design supporting wind load, water penetration, and air infiltration testing standards
Benefits of Fixed Curtain Wall Systems
Energy Efficiency
Thermally broken frames combined with Low-E glazing reduce solar heat gain, easing the load on a building’s cooling systems and lowering long-term energy costs, a significant factor in the UAE’s climate.
Architectural Flexibility
Fixed curtain walls support large, uninterrupted glass spans, giving architects the freedom to create sleek, modern facades with maximum daylight and unobstructed views.
Weather Performance
Properly engineered drainage and sealing systems help fixed curtain walls resist rain and air infiltration, even under heavy rain, high wind, and sandstorm conditions common across the UAE.
Durability and Low Maintenance
High-grade aluminium resists corrosion, while durable glazing and seals help reduce long-term maintenance.
Applications
- Commercial office towers and mixed-use developments
- Retail and hospitality facades
- High-rise residential buildings
- Corporate headquarters and institutional buildings
Why Choose Arqen Industries
Arqen Industries brings over 60 years of combined engineering legacy to every project across the UAE. Our systems are European-engineered to meet the demands of the region’s climate, from coastal humidity to extreme summer heat, and every installation is backed by a 20-year warranty. This level of assurance is why architects, contractors, and developers across Dubai and the wider UAE choose Arqen for facade and glazing systems that are built to perform for decades, not just years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fixed curtain wall and a window wall?
A fixed curtain wall spans continuously past floor slabs and is anchored to the building’s structural frame, while a window wall is installed floor-by-floor within the slab edge. Curtain walls generally offer better weather performance and are used on taller, more exposed facades.
What are mullions and transoms?
Mullions are the vertical aluminium members that run from floor to floor, and transoms are the horizontal members that connect them. Together they form the structural grid that holds the glass or panel infill in a fixed curtain wall system.
Can a fixed curtain wall include operable windows?
Yes. While the primary system is fixed, operable vents or windows can be integrated into the design where ventilation is required, without compromising the overall structural and thermal performance.
How long does installation take?
Timelines depend on building height, facade area, and construction method. Unitized systems are generally faster to install on site since panels are prefabricated, while stick-built systems allow more on-site flexibility. Arqen provides a project-specific timeline after a site assessment.
Is a fixed curtain wall suitable for the UAE climate?
Yes. When engineered with thermally broken frames, Low-E glazing, and proper drainage design, fixed curtain wall systems perform reliably against the UAE’s heat, humidity, and occasional sandstorms.
Get a Fixed Curtain Wall Quote
Arqen Industries has delivered fixed curtain wall systems across commercial and residential projects throughout the UAE. Contact our team for a site assessment and a detailed quote tailored to your project’s facade requirements