Stick-Built Curtain Wall Systems in Miami
Stick-built curtain wall for offices, podiums and lobbies in Miami: captured or SSG glazing, thermally broken frames and NOA-approved systems.
- Assembly
- Framed & glazed on site
- Typical face width
- ≈ 2.5 in. (63 mm)
- Glazing
- Captured or SSG
- Best fit
- Low & mid-rise
About stick-built curtain wall
In a stick-built curtain wall the vertical mullions and horizontal transoms are installed on site, then glazed in place. It is the most flexible way to build a glass facade, and it adapts well to buildings where the geometry changes from bay to bay.
Stick systems suit low and mid-rise buildings, podium levels, lobbies and retail fronts. We size the profiles for the wind loads, coordinate the anchors with the structure and detail the transitions to cladding, storefront and roofing.
Anatomy of stick-built curtain wall
- MullionsVertical aluminum members anchored at each floor, sized for the wind load and span, with steel reinforcement for tall spans.
- TransomsHorizontal members that frame the glass and carry its weight to the mullions on setting blocks.
- Pressure plate & snap capIn captured systems, the glass is clamped by an exterior pressure plate, then covered with a snap cap that defines the look.
- Thermal breakA non-conductive isolator between the inside and outside aluminum reduces heat transfer and condensation.
- Gaskets & weepsInner and outer gaskets seal the glass; any water that passes the outer seal drains out through weep holes.
- Insulated glass unitsLow-E, laminated or impact glass set on site, two-sided or four-sided structural silicone where a flush look is wanted.
Engineered and tested for Miami's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Performance standards
A curtain wall is one of the most tested assemblies in a building. These are the tests and approvals our engineers design to and document for every project.
ASTM E283 · Air leakage
Measures air infiltration through the wall under a pressure difference. Commercial curtain wall is commonly specified at 0.06 cfm/ft² at 6.24 psf.
ASTM E331 · Static water
No uncontrolled water penetration at the project test pressure, proving the seals, gaskets and internal drainage work together.
AAMA 501.1 · Dynamic water
Wind-driven rain simulated with a high-velocity fan, closer to a real tropical storm than a static test.
ASTM E330 · Structural
The wall is loaded to its design wind pressure and to a 150% proof load, with deflection and permanent set measured.
AAMA 501.4 · Inter-story drift
Floors are moved relative to each other to confirm the wall accommodates building sway and slab movement without failure.
TAS 201 / 202 / 203 · HVHZ
Miami-Dade protocols for large-missile impact (a 9 lb 2x4 at 50 ft/s), static pressure and thousands of cyclic pressure reversals.
Miami-Dade NOA / FL Product Approval
The approval that lets a system be permitted in Miami-Dade and Broward (HVHZ) or elsewhere in Florida, matched to sizes and design pressures.
AAMA 501.2 / AAMA 503 · Field testing
Water testing of the installed wall on site, used to verify workmanship on the first areas installed.
Code references are summarized for orientation. Final requirements are confirmed by the engineer of record and the building department for each project.
Design considerations
What our engineering team reviews with the design team before the drawings are final.
- Flexible geometryStick systems adapt to varying bay widths, sloped walls and one-off conditions without new unit tooling.
- Site accessInstallation from the outside requires lifts or scaffolding along the facade, which is planned with the site logistics.
- Choose the sightlinesCap depth, vertical or horizontal emphasis and SSG options change the look of the building without changing the system.
- TransitionsConnections to cladding, roofing and storefront are detailed together to keep water out at every interface.
Curtain wall systems compared
A quick reference our engineers use with architects and owners when choosing the right system.
| Unitized | Stick-built | Structural glazing / point-fixed | Storefront & window wall | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Factory-framed and glazed units | Framed and glazed on site | Glass bonded or point-supported | Framed on site between slabs or at grade |
| Best fit | Towers, hotels, condos | Low and mid-rise, podiums, lobbies | Lobbies, atriums, feature walls | Ground floors, retail, slab-to-slab |
| Schedule | Fastest close-in on repetitive floors | Flexible, more site labor | Detail-intensive, engineered per project | Fast on standard openings |
| Quality control | Highest, glazing done indoors | Depends on site conditions | Very high, adhesion tested | Standard |
| Look | Narrow joints, stack-joint lines | Captured caps or SSG | Flush, frameless glass | Visible framing, doors integrated |
What we supply
One package from design-assist to closeout, so there is one team accountable for the result.
- Profile and glass selection for the wind zone
- Anchor and embed coordination with the structural engineer
- Shop drawings and calculations by a Florida-licensed PE
- Mullions, transoms, pressure plates and caps
- Glass, gaskets, sealants and flashings
- Installation management with licensed and insured partners
Options & specifications
Final systems, glass and finishes are confirmed per project in shop drawings and submittals.
| Glazing | Captured (pressure plate and cap) or structural silicone glazed (SSG) |
|---|---|
| Profiles | Thermally broken frames; deep or custom caps and fins |
| Glass | Insulated, laminated impact, low-E, tinted or fritted |
| Finish | Anodized or PVDF / powder coat in any RAL color |
From plans to closeout
- Plans reviewSend drawings and specs. We review the scope, the wind zone and the code path, and list any questions.
- ProposalA priced proposal with the system, glass and finish, plus value-engineering options where they help budget or lead time.
- Engineering & approvalsShop drawings, structural calculations by a Florida-licensed PE, product approvals and samples for the architect's review.
- FabricationSystems are fabricated to the approved drawings and delivered to suit the site schedule.
- InstallationInstallation by licensed and insured partner crews, with our project manager on site. The permit is pulled by the contractor of record.
- CloseoutPunch list, warranties, as-builts and maintenance information handed over.
Our project · International
Stick-Built Curtain Wall: FAQ
Is stick-built cheaper than unitized?
On low and mid-rise buildings it often is, because there is less factory work and no large panel logistics. On towers, unitized usually wins on schedule and total cost.
Can you match a specified system?
Yes. We can price the specified system or propose an equivalent with the same performance for the architect's approval.
Is stick-built curtain wall impact rated?
Yes. Impact-rated stick systems with laminated glass are available with Miami-Dade NOA approval for the HVHZ.
Can a stick system have a flush, cap-less look?
Yes. Vertical or horizontal joints can be structurally glazed (SSG) for a flush appearance while the other direction keeps a cap.
Request a Stick-Built Curtain Wall quote
Send the scope, drawings or a link to the bid set. We review it and reply with questions, a system proposal or a price.
- Free, no-obligation quote or bid
- Value-engineering options included
- Scope review by our technical team
- One point of contact from bid to closeout
Prefer to talk to our estimating team?