As you research manufacturers for your new window wall project, you soon realize there are A LOT of companies to choose from.

Each company says their windows are the best and each has supporting documentation with brochures, product data, and fancy images. Before you know it, hours have passed, you haven’t gotten any closer to picking a window wall system, and you’re ready to pull your hair out with how frustrating the research has become!

Does this sound like you?

Homeowners spend hours and hours researching window wall companies only to lose steam and quit because they get stuck and can’t seem to make any progress.

But don’t worry…

Want to know how to efficiently and effectively research window walls and get on with the design process?

Great. Here’s how:

One of the best ways to get smart about narrowing down your search for window manufacturers is to select the window wall type you want to use. Sounds simple, huh?

This one decision will easily save you hours of research.

By selecting your window wall type (meaning the frame material), you eliminate whole segments of window wall competitors. AND it helps narrow your google searches when you can be more specific by including “wood” or “aluminum” or whatever frame material you choose in your search.

Follow along in this article as we cover various window wall type basics. Once you learn more about the different window types, you can start making some progress on your window wall research.

From this article you’ll learn: 

  • Characteristics of various types of window wall frames
  • Differences between window frame profiles based on material
  • Various window frame and hardware finish options
  • Why the window frame material matters so much

 

Note: While this post is about large window wall frames, much of the information we discuss is also applicable to smaller windows. So even if you’re just looking for information on windows, the information will still be relevant.

 

Which Window Wall Type Is Best?

The most common windows are vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, and steel. (Although for large window walls, you normally don’t see vinyl or fiberglass windows too often.)

The price point of each type typically falls on the price spectrum in that same order – with vinyl being the cheapest and steel being the most expensive. Usually.

When it comes to window walls, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages as they relate to aesthetics, design, performance, and durability. And some of pros and cons are personal preferences, especially those on aesthetics and design.

Vinyl (typically the most inexpensive of the material options) is often chosen when appearance is less of a concern. It is economical, rot-resistant, and typically used for smaller openings.

Fiberglass (a PVC composite) is strong, durable, efficient, and rot-resistant but lacks some aesthetic style.

Aluminum is resistant to corrosion, strong and durable. And with thermally broken systems it can be energy efficient.

Wood is susceptible to rot, especially when less durable species are used without being maintained, but has a nice warm aesthetic that many people love.

Steel (typically the most expensive) is strong, durable, and can be energy efficient with thermally broken systems. It also has the sleekest and smallest frame profiles allowing for more slender frame members when the design intent is to focus on the view and less on the window frame.

Steel window wall frames
[Stratford Mountain Residence by Ryan Street & Associates. Photo by Casey Dunn.]

Hybrid variations of these frame types also exist where the exterior cladding composed of a different material as the window frame itself.  Many people who like benefits of two different systems often go this route to get the best of both worlds. Examples of these cladded systems include aluminum-clad, vinyl-clad, and wood-clad. 

For example, if you like the look of wood windows on the interior, but would prefer the durability and rot-resistance of aluminum on the exterior, you might want to go with aluminum-clad wood windows. See how that works?

And lastly, there are also frameless systems that have a frame around the perimeter of window opening but no framing between the individual pieces of glass. Glazing units are held together by structural sealant, which also provides a primary seal to weather.

This frame type offers the most minimalistic look since it eliminates the intermediate framing members altogether. But it does come at a price.

Frameless Window Walls
[Mt. Tamalpais Residence by C. Wright Design. Photo by Mark Schwartz Photography.]

Regardless of the window wall type you ultimately choose for your project, the selection process is a personal decision and should be based on your specific project goals and personal requirements. While there are pros and cons to each type, picking the one that most closely meets your criteria will ultimately be the best choice for you.

 

Want an Easy Way To Compare Window Wall Types For Your Home?

 

We’ve put together this BONUS cheat sheet comparing the most common types of window walls against many design, performance, and practical considerations. Grab this easy-to-read chart to save time in reviewing and selecting your window walls.

 Get your window wall cheat sheet!

Window Wall Types: How Do They Compare?

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Window Profiles?

In general terms, frames of the same material have similar frame profiles because of the material limitations and properties.(When we talk about the frame profile, we mean the shape: depth, thickness, and articulation.)

There will be some small variations between manufacturers but for the most part, broad assumptions can usually be made as follows:

  • Aluminum profiles tend to be boxy.
  • Wood profiles are usually more articulated with some wood joinery relief.
  • Steel profiles (the smallest of the profiles) tend to be composed of slender plates and small steel members.

In the two projects below, see the profile difference between the wood and aluminum window systems? The wood system has more articulation and indentions while the aluminum frame is squared off.

Wood window wall frame
[Sound House by Roger Ferris Partners. Photo by Woodruff/Brown.]
Aluminum window wall frames
[Hurteau-Miller Residence by Kariouk Architects. Photo by Photolux Studios.]

For those of you who are particular about the look of your window frames (as we are too!), the shape of the frame profile will be an important consideration as you select your window wall type.

 

It’s All About Window Sightlines

In addition to paying attention to window frame profiles, many architects and design-conscious homeowners are also concerned about the total visible thickness of the window frames. This is what we call sightlines.  It’s the thickness of the frames when you look at them head on.

Normally, when your project uses standard window units, sightlines aren’t a big deal.

But when the design calls for multiple window units side by side (as is the case for window walls) and where some of those units are operable with an additional frame insert, the total frame thickness can add up – making for some large sightlines.

In the two projects below, it’s hard to miss where the operable windows are compared to the fixed windows. See how the thickness of the frame is so apparent around the operable awning windows compared to the other fixed window frames?

This frame thickness plus the adjacent frame thickness of the fixed window together for the sightline we’re talking about. Looks like those sightlines could be close to 6″.

Window wall sightlines with window inserts
[Akey Residence by AZD Associates. Photo courtesy of AZD Associates.]
Window wall sightlines
[Hurteau-Miller Residence by Kariouk Architects. Photo by Photolux Studios.]
In most cases, where possible, design professionals strive for small sightlines so as not to distract from the amazing view outwards.

Who wants to see clunky thick frames when your main goal is to maximize the view outside?

Compare the sightlines in the above two project with the ones in the project to the right.

You can barely tell where the operable windows are located in this project. The thicknesses of the operable window frames are just slightly larger.

Do you see what we mean?

This is the best case scenario… where you can barely tell where the operable window frame is.

Sightlines are also important when you need to bury framing between window frames.

There’s definitely an art to balancing the structural requirements with aesthetic desires. It’s important to understand the structural requirements of the project and figuring out if you can avoid vertical posts in the middle of your window wall span. But it’s equally important to avoid large framing members if you can find creative ways to do this.

If you can’t find a way to avoid these posts, they get sandwiched between window frames. And end up increasing the total thickness of the sightlines even more because now you have the thickness of the post to consider and conceal! Ugh!

Aluminum windows
[Zipper House by Deforest Architects. Photo by Ben Benschneider.]

 

Endless Window Wall Configurations & Customizations

Windows, in general, come in a variety of configurations. Fixed windows can be rectilinear, curved, angled, or pretty much any shape you can think of. Operable windows can be casements, double-hung, awnings, hoppers, sliders, and a few other less common variations.

When it comes to larger window openings, you have even more customization opportunities as you tailor the sizes of the windows and operables as you want. This is one of the major selling points of window walls: their customization options. You can customize the configuration of your large window walls based on your project-specific dimensions, spatial layout, or alignments of other architectural elements inside and outside of your home.

Add to that the popular desire for large glass doors in the layout. Large doors have their own variations from swinging, to sliding, to folding. Virtually any imaginable configuration of door type can be combined with the window layout to create a large wall of fixed and operable windows and doors.

Window wall customization
[Edgeland House by Bercy Chen Studio. Photo by Paul Bardagjy.]

In addition to customizing the layout, the assembly can be customized, too.

Individual window units can be mulled together in the factory or in the field depending on manufacturer, window sizes, and site-specific constraints like limited crane or truck access.

Structural framing can be embedded in hollow frames or clad over when sandwiched between two frames.

While there are a lot of configuration and assembly options, it’s best to start with a clear overarching design intent first. Then, as the design progresses, many of the smaller decisions get figured on their own. There’s no point in stressing about it all the small stuff in the beginning. Just get the major decisions made.

 

Window Finish Options Tailored To Fit Your Project

Now that we’ve discussed window wall types, frame profiles, sightlines, and customizations, we should also touch up the finishes available really quickly.

Frame Finishes

The window wall type you select dictates what finish options area available.

Vinyl windows usually have the least amount of color options. There are usually a handful of exterior colors to choose from and then maybe 1-2 interior colors. Colors are integral to the material so any scratches or damages won’t affect the color you see.

For wood frames, frames can have a stained, painted, or clear coat finish, which means you have a lot of color and finish options. For stained or clear coat wood frames, selecting the right species of wood is important both for durability, aesthetics, and cost reasons.

For aluminum and steel window walls, frames are typically painted. There are various options for paint applications from anodized, Kynar paint, and powder-coated. Paints can be metallic, flat, or gloss and have a limitless range of colors to choose from. Each has varying levels of durability and cost.

Window wall paint finish options
[Alamo Residence by Banducci Associates Architects, Inc. Photo by John Sutton Photography.]

Hardware Finishes

There are usually a handful of hardware finishes for all window wall types. Most window manufacturers have white, tan, nickel, bronze, chrome, and brass. Some have more finish options if you want to pay a premium.

Selecting window and hardware finishes should be done with the whole house design in mind. Depending on your project goals, the color of your window frames may complement your house siding or it may contrast with it on purpose. Similarly, on the interior, the hardware may match the rest of the hardware in the house (door & cabinetry hardware) or it may be its own finish and style.

 

Why the Window Wall Type Matters

The window wall type you select drives a lot of decisions and sets the stage for the design process that is to come. It’s important to review the various window wall types and their respective characteristics thoroughly for advantages and disadvantages before making your selection.

As we discussed above, the frame material governs physical characteristics like frame thickness, profiles, and sightlines, but also other characteristics like weight and frame strength, long-term durability and maintenance.

It also impacts thermal characteristics like energy performance since the frame material represents 10-30% of the total area of the window unit. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves… We’ll cover this more in the next couple articles.

But just remember, the selection of your window wall type shouldn’t be taken lightly. The future of your design is based on this decision.

Wood window wall frame
[Piedmont Residence by Carlton Edwards Architects. Photo courtesy Carlton Edwards Architects.]

The decisions you make regarding your window wall type should be made with the rest of the home design in mind. You want to be mindful of both interior and exterior finishes, your own project goals, budget, and performance requirements. It’s not an easy decision but when armed with the right information, you can make a better decision than you would have before.

Follow along in our Window Wall Design Series. You’ve seen some inspiring projects, learned about the benefits of window walls, and now understand the various types of window walls.  In the next article, we dig in and start exploring various window glazing options. Check it out. 

What Type of Glazing is Best For My Window Walls  >