Technical guide
Stick vs unitised curtain walling
Stick curtain walling is assembled from loose components on site; unitised curtain walling arrives as factory-glazed storey-height cassettes. Stick is cheaper and more forgiving of an imperfect frame. Unitised is faster on site and seals better.
- Free measured site survey
- Fixed written quotation
- Mainland UK coverage
- Commercial specialists only
- 24-hour emergency response
Cost
Stick systems are typically 15–30% cheaper per square metre because the components are simpler and there is no factory glazing operation. That gap narrows on tall buildings where site labour and access dominate the cost.
Programme
Stick installs at roughly 40–70m² per crew per week. Unitised can close a full floor in a day but needs six to twelve weeks of factory lead time first. On a short overall programme, unitised often wins despite the slower start.
Tolerance
Stick absorbs an out-of-true frame because it is set out on site. Unitised cassettes are made to a surveyed grid and cannot be adjusted, so the structure has to be measured accurately before manufacture.
Weather performance
Factory glazing under controlled conditions gives a more consistent seal. Unitised systems generally achieve better and more repeatable air and water test results.
Which to choose
Refurbishment, low to mid rise and irregular geometry point to stick. New build, repetitive floor plates, tall elevations and a compressed site programme point to unitised.
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Free measured survey, fixed written quotation, and a straight answer about what is and is not worth doing. Mainland UK, commercial work only.