Evaluating the Field Performance of Windows and Curtain Walls of Large Buildings

Windows and metal & glass curtain walls generally represent as much as 50% to 100% of the exterior cladding of large buildings and are determining elements in the performance of the vertical building envelope. They are often an important architectural feature of a building and represent a significant portion of the overall cost of a building construction or renovation project. As a determining element in the performance of the vertical building envelope, they must be air and water tight, prevent condensation from occurring on the interior surfaces and resist wind load and other exterior forces acting on the building envelope. Given the ever growing complexity and variety of modern building envelopes, the evaluation of their performance in the pre-construction and construction phase is essential in order to avoid undesirable and costly problems during the service life of the building.