Aluminium Curtain WallingDesign, Supply & InstallationAcross Scotland.
Stick, unitised and structural-glazed aluminium curtain wall systems for commercial new-build, refurbishment and replacement — engineered for thermal performance, weather integrity and architectural intent.
What we do, who it's for, and why it matters.
What it is
Curtain walling is a non-loadbearing aluminium-framed glazed envelope hung from the building's structural frame. It carries only its own weight plus wind and impact loads — never the building's vertical loads — which allows the entire elevation to be glazed across multiple storeys.
Who it's for
Main contractors, architects, commercial developers, public-sector estates teams and building refurbishment specialists working on offices, education, healthcare and mixed-use commercial projects across Scotland.
When you need it
You need a curtain wall specialist at new-build (designed in from RIBA Stage 3), at major refurbishment where envelope replacement is part of the scope, or at end-of-life of an existing system (typically 30–40 years for first-generation systems).
Why a specialist matters
Curtain walling is the building envelope. Specification governs U-value, air permeability, water tightness, wind resistance and impact rating — all tested to BS EN 13830. Get any of those wrong and the building leaks, costs more to heat, or fails CDP testing — none of which are fixable retroactively without major cost.
What happens when the problem is left.
Curtain wall failure is rarely visible from outside until water has tracked into the structure. The cost of remediation is almost always an order of magnitude greater than the cost of correct specification.
Water ingress and structural damage
Failed perimeter seals or compromised pressure-equalised drainage tracks water into the slab edge — often invisible until interior finishes show damage.
Thermal underperformance
Cold-bridged framing or single-glazed legacy systems can leak 40%+ of envelope heat — a permanent operating cost penalty.
Air permeability failures
Curtain walling tested to BS EN 13830 must achieve specified air loss rates — failure on commissioning means rework before practical completion.
Design liability for installer
Installer-designed elements (brackets, fixings, transom drainage) carry CDM design liability — non-specialist installers create unmanaged risk.
Common mistakes we're called in to correct
- Treating curtain walling as a glazing trade instead of a structural envelope discipline.
- Specifying suite without checking spans, deflections and thermal performance for the project.
- Skipping CWCT pre-construction testing on bespoke systems.
- Using sealants and gaskets outside manufacturer-approved compatibility lists.
- Programming curtain walling without the main contractor lift and crane plan agreed.
A disciplined five-step delivery — survey to certification.
Pre-Construction Engagement
We engage at design stage with the architect and main contractor — system selection, performance targets, structural interface and procurement programme.
Design & Calculation
Suite selection, mullion and transom sizing, structural calculation, thermal modelling and CWCT performance specification produced.
Procurement & Fabrication
Frames procured and pre-fabricated to project dimensions; unitised systems factory-glazed where appropriate to compress site programme.
Installation
Installed in coordinated lifts with main contractor, sequenced to follow structural frame completion. Transoms, mullions, glazing, gaskets and pressure plates installed to manufacturer specification.
Testing & Handover
On-site water and air tightness testing where specified; full O&M documentation, performance certification and snagging close-out.
What you get — concrete, not generic.
Engineered envelope performance
U-values, air permeability and water tightness specified, modelled and tested — not assumed.
Programme certainty
Unitised options compress on-site time; factory-glazing reduces weather risk.
Single trade interface
We coordinate with structural, M&E, cladding and roofing trades — main contractor manages one specialist.
Architectural flexibility
Slim mullions, structural glazing, feature fins and capped or gasketed appearance options.
Scotland-wide delivery
We mobilise to projects across Scotland from our Falkirk base, with established subcontract teams.
Long design life
Aluminium curtain wall systems are typically designed and procured for 35-year service life with planned recurring servicing.
Real installs across the Central Belt.
Selected curtain walling systems projects delivered by Complete Door Solutions — surveyed, installed and certified by our own engineers.
The detail that separates a 15-year asset from a 3-year liability.
Modern curtain walling is a tightly regulated discipline governed by BS EN 13830, CWCT (Centre for Window and Cladding Technology) standards, and CDM design liability. The system, the installer and the test regime are all specified together.
Materials we work with
- Thermally-broken aluminium mullions and transoms (Smart, AluK, Comar, Senior, Reynaers, Schueco)
- Sealed double or triple-glazed units with low-emissivity coatings and warm-edge spacers
- Structural silicone for SSG (structural silicone glazed) systems
- EPDM gaskets and tested perimeter sealants per system manufacturer
- Powder-coated and anodised finishes to BS EN 12206 / BS 3987
- Insulated spandrel panels for non-vision areas
Methods & systems
- Stick-build systems — components delivered and assembled on-site, suitable for low to mid-rise
- Unitised systems — factory-glazed storey-height units lifted into place, suitable for mid- to high-rise
- Capped, gasketed or structural silicone glazed (SSG) appearance options
- Pressure-equalised drainage design to BS EN 13830 standards
- On-site CWCT-standard water and air permeability testing
- Coordination with main contractor scaffold, lift and crane programmes
Variations of this service
Stick-build curtain walling
Mullions, transoms and glazing assembled on-site. Most common for refurbishment, low to mid-rise commercial and where opening sizes vary.
Unitised curtain walling
Storey-height units pre-fabricated and glazed in factory, lifted into place via crane. Common in mid to high-rise where programme compression matters.
Structural silicone glazed (SSG)
Glass bonded to frame with structural silicone, eliminating external pressure plates for a flush all-glass appearance.
Spandrel and shadow box panels
Insulated non-vision spandrel zones between floor slabs, finished with coloured back-painted glass or aluminium panels.
Replacement and overcladding systems
Specialist solutions for refurbishment of existing 1960s–1990s building envelopes without full demolition.
Where this applies
- New-build commercial offices across Glasgow and Edinburgh
- Higher and further education building envelopes
- Healthcare estate atrium and elevation glazing
- Public-sector building refurbishment
- Mixed-use developments combining retail ground-floor and residential or office above
- Industrial admin and HQ buildings on distribution and manufacturing sites
Complete Door Solutions delivers curtain walling across Scotland on commercial new-build and refurbishment programmes — engaging early with the design team and main contractor to deliver a tested, certified building envelope to programme.
Straight answers
for serious buyers.
Don't see your question? Call us — we'd rather have a 5-minute conversation than send a brochure.
01698 598193An aluminium-framed glazed building envelope that carries only its own weight plus wind and impact loads, hung from the building's structural frame. It allows entire elevations to be glazed across multiple storeys without supporting building loads.
Get a precise, fixed-scope quote
from an ADSA-accredited specialist.
Tell us about your curtain walling systems requirement. We'll attend on-site, measure, advise and quote properly — no catalogue prices, no guesswork.
ADSA Accredited · 25+ Years' Experience · Central Belt Coverage