算BuildCalc

Curtain Wall Panel Calculator

Panels, mullions, transoms, glass area and aluminium.

Quick answer

With the default inputs: Width 40 · Height 60 · Module width 1.5 etc.Glass panels 405 blocks

Edit the inputs below to recalculate.
Module width mStorey height m
Module width and height are centreline sizes including joints; actual glass deducts the joint and sealant gap. Mullion count is the module count plus one.

Inputs

kg/m²
%

Result

Glass panels
405blocks
Curtain wall area2400m²
Grid (width × height)27 × 15
Mullions / length28 bars / 1680 m
Transoms / length16 rows / 640 m
Glass area incl. waste2472m²
Panel size6.30m²
Aluminium estimate28.8t

Panels = ceil(W ÷ module) × ceil(H ÷ storey); mullions = grid columns + 1, transoms = grid rows + 1. Aluminium rates run 8-18 kg/m² (higher for capped systems, lower for unitised or concealed-frame, more for super high-rise); the default 12 is mid-range. Glass waste is 2-5%, at the top for low-iron, coated and shaped panes. This covers quantities only - no operable vents, fire stops, insulation, backing panels, sealant or hardware. Structural design (wind load, glass strength, mullion deflection, connection capacity) must be done to JGJ 102 by a specialist.

Formula

Panels = ceil(W ÷ module W) × ceil(H ÷ module H)
Mullions = columns + 1; transoms = rows + 1
Glass area = wall area × (1 + waste)
Aluminium = area × rate
40×60 m façade on a 1.5×4.2 m module, 12 kg/m² aluminium and 3% glass waste: 2400 m² in a 27×15 grid = 405 panels; 28 mullions totalling 1680 m and 16 transom rows totalling 640 m; 2472 m² of glass at 6.30 m² per panel and about 28.8 t of aluminium.

How to work it out

  1. Count the modules: width ÷ module width and height ÷ storey height, both rounded up, then multiplied. Never divide the area — panels are made whole.
  2. Mullions = module columns + 1; total mullion length = count × facade height.
  3. Transom levels = module rows + 1; total transom length = levels × facade width.
  4. Glass area = panels × panel area plus 3-5% waste. Tempered glass cannot be cut on site, so waste is whole panels.
  5. Aluminium content = facade area × rate. Stick system 10-14 kg/m², hidden frame 8-11, unitised 14-18.

Where it goes wrong

Material and cost

Stick-system glass facade 800-1800 CNY/m² including profiles, glass and installation; unitised 1500-2500; stone facade 900-2000. Double-glazed Low-E adds 200-400 CNY/m² over monolithic.

On site

Basis

FAQ

How thick should curtain wall glass be?
It depends on module size, wind load, height and toughening. Rough guidance: 6 mm up to about 3 m², 8 mm about 4 m², 10 mm about 5 m² (JGJ 102 governs). High-rise work usually uses double-glazed laminated toughened units such as 8+12A+8+1.52PVB+8 for energy, acoustics and safety - the interlayer keeps fragments in place. Thickness must be calculated, never estimated.
Capped, concealed or semi-concealed frames?
Capped systems show the aluminium and hold glass mechanically - safest and easiest. Concealed frames bond glass with structural silicone for a flush look, but depend entirely on that bond: adhesive quality, application conditions and compatibility testing are critical, and failure means whole panels falling. Semi-concealed is the compromise. Chinese high-rise practice now favours capped or semi-concealed, with limits on concealed frames.
Why such a wide range of aluminium rates?
Section size and module. Dense small modules mean more mullions and transoms per square metre; high wind loads force larger sections (deflection limit L/180), adding more. Unitised systems use more aluminium than stick systems (interlocking frames), and capped more than concealed (pressure plates and covers). Prices need the module and height, not just a kg/m² figure.

Cite this page

Use this format in reports, method statements or coursework. The link is permanent.

Building Calculator. Curtain Wall Panel Calculator. 2026-10-25. https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/curtain-wall

Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.