PRANCE metalwork is a leading manufacturer of metal ceiling and facade systems.
A window wall system is often a more practical and cost-effective choice than a curtain wall for certain building types, primarily mid-rise to high-rise residential buildings like apartment towers and condominiums. The key difference is that window walls are installed between the concrete floor slabs of a building, spanning from the floor to the ceiling of a single level. They are essentially large, floor-to-ceiling window units that are installed independently on each floor. This installation method offers several practical advantages for residential construction. First, it provides greater acoustic isolation between adjacent floors, as the window wall units are separated by the concrete slab, reducing vertical sound transmission. This is a highly desirable feature for residents. Second, the cost of a window wall is typically lower than that of a curtain wall. The units are smaller, easier to handle, and can often be installed by smaller crews without the need for a tower crane, reducing both material and labor costs. Third, the slab-to-slab installation simplifies construction sequencing and allows for faster enclosure of the building on a floor-by-floor basis. While window walls generally have inferior thermal performance compared to a continuous curtain wall due to thermal bridging at the slab edge, their cost-effectiveness, acoustic benefits, and simpler installation make them the preferred practical choice for many residential and hospitality projects where these factors are a higher priority than achieving the absolute highest thermal performance of a continuous facade.