Glass Curtain Wall: Introduction
- Glass curtain walls are lightweight aluminum-framed facades housing glass or metal panels. These glazing systems do not support the weight of a roof or floor. Instead, gravity loads and wind resistance transfer from the surface to the building’s floor line. Curtain walls are often part of a building envelope or comprise one part of a wall system.
- Keeping out the wind and rain, a curtain wall can also provide a multitude of different options related to appearance and functionality. The external surface of a curtain wall might be 100% glass or include other cladding materials such as stone and aluminum panels.
Key Drivers and Restraints of Glass Curtain Wall Market
- Significant growth of the building & construction sector across the globe is the key factor boosting the global market. Rise in demand for energy-efficient façade systems and stringent regulations related to the environment are also augmenting the market. Furthermore, technological advancements in the glass industry and rise in commercial and industrial construction activities are propelling the global glass curtain wall market.
- Rise in awareness about environmentally-friendly construction facilities and growing popularity of green building are also driving the glass curtain wall market. However, fluctuation in raw material prices and increase in environmental concerns are expected to hamper the global glass curtain wall market.
Glass Curtain Wall Market: Segmentation
- In terms of glass, the glass curtain wall market can be segmented into unitized and stick
- Factory preparation of a unitized system means that more complex designs can be achieved. Within the unitized family of curtain wall systems, some sub-categories exist which also benefit from the increased speed of installation and re-distribution of labor costs from construction site to factory floor.
- An alternative method to clamp the glass is toggle glazing, which uses a channel between the glasses to clamp the internal laminate. Led by its versatility and cost, these systems are typically used in shopping centers and low-rise office buildings.
- Unitized glass curtain walls are increasingly being preferred over stick systems due to their optimized design and easy installation. Majority of the work in unitized glass curtain walls, including assembly and glazing, is carried out in the factory itself.
- Unitized system can be installed from the interior of the building. This makes it ideal for usage in high towers or building sites with a tight footprint.
- Rise in construction of tall residential and commercial buildings across the world is driving the demand for unitized glass curtain walls
COVID-19 Impact on Glass Curtain Wall Market
- On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Originating in China, the virus has spread to at least 214 countries and territories around the world.
- Several governments and private sector businesses are operating at a limited capacity or have ceased operations completely due to recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic
- Manufacture of various consumer goods and other products across the globe came to a halt due to the unavailability of raw materials, shortage of labor, and other reasons. This is expected to hamper the global glass curtain wall market in the near future.
Asia Pacific to Dominate Global Glass Curtain Wall Market
- In terms of region, the glass curtain wall market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa
- Asia Pacific is leading the global glass curtain wall market. Significant rise in building and infrastructure development in emerging economies is the key reason driving the market in Asia Pacific.
- Growth in investment in the building & construction sector is also boosting the glass curtain wall market in Asia Pacific
- China is considered the largest regional market of the glass curtain wall market in Asia Pacific. Significant expansion of the construction industry is the major factor driving the market in the country. Rapid industrialization and growth in preference for glass curtain wall over conventional products are likely to boost the demand for glass curtain walls in China.
Key Manufacturers Operating in Glass Curtain Wall Market
The glass curtain wall market was consolidated in 2020. Major players have prominent presence in developed and developing countries. Key manufacturers operating in the glass curtain wall market include:
- DIC
- Cabot
- BASF
- Clariant
- Tronox
- LANXESS
- Chemours
- Huntsman
- Heubach
Glass Curtain Wall Market: Research Scope
Glass Curtain Wall Market, by Glass
Glass Curtain Wall Market, by End-use
- Commercial
- Public
- Residential
Global Glass Curtain Wall Market, by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia & CIS
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- ASEAN
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
- GCC
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
