Modern Curtain

Pull The Curtain (Live)

From Medieval to Modern Times: Curtain Walls Serve Multiple Purposes

Unless you're an architect or a structural engineer, the term "curtain wall" may be an unfamiliar one to you.  It is not an interior design feature.  A curtain wall is a type of façade often found on commercial and office buildings. 

A curtain wall does not carry any dead load from the building other than its own.  In other words, a curtain wall does not carry any roof or floor loads.  Instead, it transfers loads to the main structure of the building through connections at the buildings different floors or columns. Essentially, it is like covering the front of a building with a "curtain" of aluminum and glass. 

While aluminum and glass are fairly modern materials, curtain walls are not a modern invention.  They have actually been around for centuries.  The earliest of these structures were made of stone.  They were most often built to surround and protect castles.  These curtain walls were typically connected by a series of several towers.  The towers provided defensive strength, and were also used as lookouts. The towers were the weight-bearing structures of the walls.  Some medieval curtain walls, or at least remnants of them, still stand in European countries. 

You won't find many curtain walls made of stone today. Modern builders construct them out of aluminum and glass. Aluminum is a natural choice for contemporary curtain walls because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.  It also weathers well, in part because it oxidizes naturally when exposed to air, creating an extra barrier of protection against weather.  Aluminum is less brittle than heavier metals like steel, and is pliable enough to be molded and bent into unique and customized configurations.   

Curtain walls are constructed by fashioning aluminum into a large grid-like frame.  The spaces in the frame are infilled with glass. While glass is the most common material used, it's not the only one.  Metal panels, louvers and stone veneer can also be used.  The structure is attached to the main building at each floor and at its corners. 

Glass and aluminum tend to be the materials of choice for commercial buildings when it comes to curtain walls.  Using glass is advantageous because of the natural light that it provides. Buildings with these glass facades often save money on electricity because the need to use interior lighting during the daytime is reduced significantly.  Plus, glass is aesthetically pleasing, creating a modern, open-air look both inside and outside the building. 

Curtain walls are advantageous for other reasons too.  They are resistant to air and water infiltration and thus decay more slowly than other types of building materials.  They also resist forces of nature on the building, like high winds earthquakes. 

In addition to the natural oxidation process which protects the aluminum in curtain walls, another coating is usually added.  The two main options for coating include anodization and electronically-sprayed polyester powder.  Both of these methods enhance the weatherproofing of the aluminum and can be color-matched. 

Modern curtain walls have advanced in both style and materials from their medieval stone ancestors.  Today's structures can be custom-manufactured to fit any size and style of building.  Aluminum colors can also be customized to match.  Tinted or clear glass may be used as infill.  The result is an overall look and feel that can be tailored to suit every cityscape, business park or individual developer or owner's taste.

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Kikkerland Yellow Submarine Shower Curtain, 72-Inch by 72-Inch List Price: $16.00 Sale Price: $15.53 You save: $0.47 (3%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Live beneath the sea with Kikkerland's Yellow Submarine shower curtain. Designed by Jan Habraken. Screen printed on frosted EVA vinyl. PVC Free. Measures 72 by 72 inches. Features Yellow submarine graphics Fun design by Jan Habraken Made of frosted EVA PVC Free Measures 72 by 72 inches

Maytex Tulip Photoreal Vinyl PEVA Shower Curtain, Black Sale Price: $24.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Large graphic photoreal of a tulip flower on a semi-sheer black vinyl PEVA shower curtain. Features 100% PEVA Wipe with damp cloth Eco-Friendly Anti-Mildew Measures: 70" by 72"

Othello Modern Geometric Curtain Panel Sale Price: $19.99 See Reviews For This Product Description Modern motifs marry sophisticated metallic tones in this trendy grommet top tailored window panel!Tailored panel is constructed of a sophisticated semi-sheer fabric featuring a mid-century modern design of interlocking rounded squares; the design is created using a special burnout process.Panel is accented with chic, 1.5-inch metal grommets at the top to accommodate either a standard or decorative drapery rod; to hang, simply slide the rod through the grommets.Single, wide-width panel measures an ample 52 inches wide. Panel is sold individually. Features Modern grommet topped panel is constructed of a semi-sheer fabric featuring a rounded square design Panel measures 52 inches wide and is available in a variety of lengths Hangs by attractive metal grommets at the top measuring 1.5 inches wide Hand wash Each panel sold separately

Kikkerland 20,000 Leagues Shower Curtain, 72-Inch by 72-Inch List Price: $16.00 Sale Price: $15.18 You save: $0.82 (5%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Inspired by the Science Fiction novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, enjoy this 20,000 Leagues shower curtain by Kikkerland. Screen printed on frosted EVA vinyl. PVC Free. Measures 72 by 72 inches. Features Escape under the sea with this shower curtain's scuba diver graphics Fun design by Jan Habraken Made of frosted EVA PVC Free Measures 72 by 72 inches

Modern Geo Fabric Shower Curtain List Price: $34.99 Sale Price: $22.08 You save: $12.91 (37%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Modern Geo fabric shower curtain will dress up your favorite bathroom shower or tub. Colored with swirls of rich chocolate, natural and blues Imported 70"x72" Features Easy Care machine wash and dry 100% polyester drylon Coordinates with matching Modern Geo accessories (sold separately) Oval design pattern in browns, ecru and mineral blue Imported and made in China

Ex-Cell Home Fashions By Appointment Modern Leaf Fly EVA Shower Curtain List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $15.55 You save: $1.44 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Modern Leaf shower curtain from Ex-Cell Home Fashions is eco-friendly, chlorine/PVC free, odorless and 100% EVA vinyl. The curtain has a reinforced header, metal grommets and measures 70-inch wide by 72-inch long. Packaging is EVA vinyl. Features Eco-friendly Chlorine free Odorless Metal grommets 70-inch wide by 72-inch long

Creative Bath City Dots Shower Curtain Sale Price: $11.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description A combination of black jumbo dots create an oversized positive/negative borders for a hip modern look printed on EVA. Features Wipe Clean Only Line Dry Only Generously sized 72-inch by 72-inch Curtain liner recommended Do not use bleach

Kikkerland Psycho Shower Curtain, 72-Inch by 72-Inch List Price: $16.00 Sale Price: $15.73 You save: $0.27 (2%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description With a nod to Hitchcock's infamous Psycho shower scene, this hilarious shower curtain will be certain to make your shower more thrilling. Designed by Jan Habraken. Screen printed on frosted EVA vinyl. PVC free. Measures 72 by 72 inches. Features Thrilling Psycho shower curtain Fun design by Jan Habraken Made of frosted EVA PVC Free Measures 72 by 72 inches

InterDesign Leaves Long Shower Curtain, Green Sale Price: $22.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Add an elegant design to your bathroom with the Leaves Shower Curtain. Rust-proof metal grommets stay shining, shower after shower, while the sleek print of green leaves against a white background fits in with any modern décor. Generously sized at 72 inches by 84 inches. Features Beautiful elegant design Reinforced top hem Rust-proof metal grommets 100-Percent polyester Generously sized at 72 by 84 inches

m.style Magnificent Shower Curtain, Kiwi List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $28.20 You save: $11.79 (29%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description m.style Magnificent Shower Curtain is inspired by the beauty of nature and the uniqueness of contemporary design. Features With its stunning kiwi floral prints, this curtain will be sure to leave a hint of freshness and style in every bathroom Created out of 100-percent polyester taffeta material Within the contemporary design flows both the kiwi colored flowers and the elegant black stems This design emits a warm, fresh, modern charm machine wash cold hang to dry Standard size of 72-Inch in length by 72-Inch in width