Curtain Wall Applications in Turkey, Common Problems and an Application Example
Curtain wall systems are exterior facade systems used especially in multi-storey buildings where reinforced concrete or steel structures eliminate the need for load-bearing exterior walls. These systems are attached to slabs or columns and continue in front of the building structure. They transfer their own weight, wind loads and environmental effects to the main structure through aluminium profiles, steel reinforcements and connection elements.
A curtain wall can be evaluated in two main zones: vision areas and spandrel areas. Glass is usually used in vision areas, while glass, aluminium composite panels, natural stone, ceramic, sinterflex or other opaque cladding materials may be used in spandrel areas. Therefore, a curtain wall is not only an aesthetic outer surface; it is also an important building envelope component affecting thermal insulation, acoustic performance, water and air tightness, fire safety, wind load resistance, daylight performance and long-term facade durability.
One of the early examples of curtain wall systems in the world was used in a two-storey bank building in the United States in 1820. One of the early examples in Turkey was the Kızılay Business Center in Ankara, built in 1959. The Karayolları Building in Zincirlikuyu, constructed between 1973 and 1979, can also be considered one of the successful early applications. In the following years, curtain wall systems started to be manufactured in Turkey and became widely used in office buildings, hotels, commercial buildings, showrooms and prestigious residential projects.
The gap between 1820 and 1959 shows a delay of nearly 140 years. Today, however, access to technical knowledge, building technologies and facade materials is much faster. A facade system or material accepted in another part of the world can be produced locally or imported and applied in Turkey within a much shorter period.
The Reality of Curtain Wall Applications in Turkey
The modern and prestigious appearance of curtain walls, their contribution to building value, thermal and acoustic performance, reduced need for exterior painting, ease of cleaning, fast installation and relatively lightweight building envelope have increased the demand for these systems in Turkey. However, rapid demand has also allowed technically insufficient applications to become widespread.
Common problems include selecting aluminium profiles without wind load calculations, using glass thicknesses that are not suitable for the project, missing fire stopping details, poor water drainage design, insufficient anchoring, lack of corrosion protection and installation by teams without adequate technical qualification.
A curtain wall system should not be considered only as an exterior decoration. It is directly related to building safety, energy performance and user comfort. Earthquake movement, wind loads, fire safety, thermal insulation, sound insulation, water tightness, air leakage, corrosion resistance and installation tolerances must all be evaluated together.
A double-glazed unit with a thickness of 6+12+6 mm and a size of 120 x 160 cm weighs approximately 60 kg. In a high-rise building, even a single glass module or panel falling from the facade can create a serious safety risk. Similarly, missing or incorrect fire stopping can allow flames and smoke to spread rapidly between floors through facade cavities.
