Definition of Curtain Walls:
A Curtain Wall is a cladding system, made of contiguous elements, which envelopes the building structure on which it hangs like a curtain and excludes wind and weather, includes the air conditioned environment, but resists no building loads. It generally has an aluminum frame structure and glass Vision panels with Spandrels which can be made of glass, metal, stone, compressed cement or composite panels. • A Successful Curtain Wall is the product of an experienced and specialised team of designers, fabricators and installers.
• Gone are the days when an Aluminum Window Maker can assume that he can make a Curtain Wall as an expansion of his Aluminum Window-Door Business.
The Past
• The first initial development in India saw the advent of Stick Curtain Wall systems by copying foreign extrusion designs from catalogues like Kawneer, Gulf Extrusions, Glostal, Malco, Hydro, etc.
• Also – India was introduced to Skylights made out of Aluminium Northlight Glazing Bars and Tees duly Glazed with Local “Shalimar Brand Putty”.
• In addition – Curtain Walls were visible with Aluminium structures that were Manufactured and Assembled with Aluminium Box Tubular Sections... 4 x 1 OR 3 x 1 to create a Visible Appearance of a Curtain Wall Spanning 3–4 Floors..... Indeed, to-date such works are visible even in the present!
The Present
• Now, Technology is imported from foreign countries.
• Also – Fabricators, Owners and Developers import “Manufactured” Curtain Walls from foreign countries with Local Installation Support.
• More recently – India has seen the advent of Unitised Systems.
• Fully Unitised
• Grid Unitised
• Also – there has been development of Cladding Systems
• Aluminium Sheet-Metal
• Aluminium Composite Panels
• The New development in the Country has now seen structural Suspended Glass Assemblies with imported technology / fittings and local installation support.
• Skylights are also being designed, and engineered in the Indian sub continent with imported and local technology.
The Future
• India needs immediately Professional Curtain Wall Companies having Manufacturing Infrastructure, Design Capabilities and International Quality Installation Equipment.
• Moreover – the need of the hour is the requirement of additional Glass Processors with Technical Expertise for Lamination / Heat Strengthening / Toughening / Manufacturing of Insulated Glass Units.
• Presently – there are no Test Rigs in India and the same are needed by Curtain Wall Consultants to Specify / Evaluate Works and more importantly offer comfort level to Owners and Architects regarding the Professional Expertise available in the country. Hence it is important and imperative that Test Rigs are installed in India.
• The lack of Government support to the Façade Industry with respect to protection from the Statutory Levy Departments viz. Excise, Sales Tax, Works Contract Component Tax, Import Duties, Octroi and now.... the Service Tax has lead to the slow growth of the Curtain Walls
industry. If well aided in this progressive stage – the Curtain Walls industry growth shall be substantial.
Conclusion
The Indian Curtain Wall industry has come a long way through the 1980s and soon we will be into the next millennium..... Aluplex reiterates that technology is now available within India itself to manufacture the finest and cleanest facade !!!! The new direction is that we Indians, have to look forward to now exporting not only manufactured Curtain Walls but also design and engineering.
BY:-
Mr. Navin Keswani
Aluplex India Put. Ltd.
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