All posts by Eduardo Savin

Other Façade Systems: Limitations and Uses 

While curtainwalls offer outstanding advantages in harsh climates, it is important to understand how they compare to other façade systems still widely used in projects of different scales. 

Traditional Masonry or Concrete Walls 

✅ Advantages: Cost-effective during initial construction, provide thermal mass, and are common in low-rise buildings. 

❌ Limitations: Less design flexibility, reduced natural light entry, and poor thermal performance without additional insulation. 

Metal and Prefabricated Panels 

✅ Advantages: Fast installation and good mechanical resistance. 

❌ Limitations: Without proper treatment, they can corrode in humid or saline climates, and they are less efficient at regulating indoor temperatures. 

Structural Glazing 

✅ Advantages: Provides a modern aesthetic with seamless, frameless glass façades, offering a sleek and minimalist appearance. 

❌ Limitations: More complex and expensive to install; does not provide the same structural strength as a curtainwall in high-rise projects. 

Ventilated Façades 

✅ Advantages: Excellent energy performance and moisture control, with versatility in finishes such as ceramic, stone, or composite. 

❌ Limitations: Require additional materials and specialized maintenance to ensure long-term performance. 

In summary, while other systems may be suitable in specific contexts, curtainwalls remain the most reliable solution for projects that demand high technical performance and durability in challenging climates. 

👉 You may also be interested in reading: Curtainwall: What It Is and Why It’s a Trend in Architecture 

So, What Should I Choose for My Project? 

Each façade system has its own range of applications depending on the project’s needs and environmental conditions. For architects, contractors, and engineers, understanding these scenarios is key when making strategic decisions. 

When to Choose Curtainwall 

• High-rise buildings in harsh climates: thanks to their resistance to wind loads and water tightness. 

• Projects that require maximum natural light entry: corporate offices, hospitals, and universities. 

• Constructions where energy efficiency is a priority: integration with solar-control, double, or triple glazing. 

• Buildings that aim to project modernity and prestige: corporate towers and luxury hotels. 

When Other Systems May Be More Suitable 

• Masonry or concrete: for low-rise buildings with tight budgets. 

• Metal/prefabricated panels: in industrial or logistics projects where installation speed and mechanical strength are more important than aesthetics. 

• Structural glazing: for façades where a minimalist aesthetic without visible frames is desired, typically in medium-rise buildings. 

• Ventilated façades: in residential or institutional projects in hot and humid climates, where energy efficiency and moisture control are top priorities. 

The choice of façade system is a strategic decision in any architectural project, especially when dealing with harsh climates. As we have seen, each material and system has specific applications, but curtainwalls stand out as the most complete solution by combining energy efficiency, structural strength, durability, and modern design in high-rise buildings. 

For architects, engineers, and contractors, opting for a curtain wall is not just an aesthetic choice: it ensures reliable long-term performance, reduced operating costs, and added value that increases the project’s competitiveness in the market. 

👉 Contact us today and discover how PRL’s curtainwall systems can help you face the toughest challenges, complying with international standards and delivering solutions built to last.