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Understanding Glass Cladding: An Expert Guide for Architects

Introduction

In the collective imagination, the term glass cladding immediately brings to mind a glass facade, often associated by default with curtain walls. However, in modern architecture, glass cladding is something else entirely: an opaque glass facing material integrated into a rain screen system. It is a non-structural exterior cladding that is not part of the viewing areas, but rather the opaque part of the building envelope.

This nuance changes everything.

While architects still want glass for its elegance, visual purity, and ability to create a “signature” look, new energy requirements impose performance standards that an all-glass facade alone can no longer guarantee.

This article clarifies the real role of glass cladding in modern times, explains why it is now establishing itself as an alternative to curtain walls, and shows how a modern system such as the Multifaçades, developed by STEKAR, can achieve an all-glass look… without sacrificing energy performance.

Ultra-Concise Key Points Summary
Glass cladding is a non-structural glass panels for modern façades; offers glass look with opacity and vision glass panels, strong performance, and aesthetics.
Benefits: contemporary look, natural light, light weight, durability, simple cleaning.
Limits: weaker energy performance, solar gain/heat loss, glare, privacy issues, higher cost, requires expert installation.
The Multifaçades is a pressure-equalized rainscreen system integrating multiple materials (glass + opaque) with a patented flush window.
Advantages: curtain-wall look with better energy efficiency, reduced thermal bridges, interchangeable panels, strong performance (air/water/wind), flexible design, ideal for renovations.
Core idea: hybrid façades like the Multifaçades balance aesthetics and performance better than fully glazed cladding.

What Is Glass Cladding?

Glass cladding covers the facade of a building with glass panels fixed to a frame. This cladding has multiple functions:

Contrary to popular belief:

• it is not necessarily a curtain wall,
• it is not necessarily vision glazing.

It is decorative, resistant, durable glass fixed in front of a high-performance insulated wall.

Its main functions:

• Create a facade with a 100% glass look: colors, screen printing, finishes, or opacification.
• Protect the envelope with a ventilated system that manages water and pressure.
• Enable modern designs while maintaining an opaque structure behind.

The installation of a glass cladding requires rigorous design and execution:

• Frame design: the frame must be able to withstand wind loads and allow for expansion. Particular care must be taken with fasteners and joint sealing.
• Glazing quality: To limit heat loss, double or triple glazing is used, sometimes filled with inert gas. For example, two low-emissivity panes of glass filled with argon transmit five times less heat than a single pane of glass.
• Treatment of thermal bridges: breakers and insulating joints are necessary to prevent heat loss. The comparative table of materials shows that glass has a higher U-value (transmits more heat) than opaque materials such as wood or brick.
• Reduction of glare and solar gain: the use of low-emissivity or tinted glazing reduces solar gain and glare, but decreases light transmission. Less natural light means an increased need for artificial lighting.
• Maintenance: with regular maintenance (checking seals and washing every 3–6 months), a glass facade can last up to 70 years.
• Regulations and safety: the use of safety glass (tempered, laminated) is essential to prevent dangerous breakage. In seismic areas, glass must be designed to withstand movement and limit breakage.

Why Use Glass Cladding Instead of Curtain Walls?

Curtain walls, whether prefabricated or traditional (stick-built), offer spectacular aesthetics but have well-known limitations.

1. Lower Thermal Performance

A curtain wall is essentially a large glazed surface supported by aluminum. The result:

• more thermal bridges
• more heat loss
• more uncontrolled solar gain
• more regulatory constraints

Even high-performance double or triple glazing remains less insulating than an opaque wall.

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2. Aluminum Everywhere

Mullions, transoms, and attachment components create a visible metallic signature that can clash with the purity of a continuous opaque-glass design.

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3. Energy Code Challenges

New North American standards require much stricter insulation values. Fully glazed façades struggle to achieve:

• recommended opaque-to-transparent ratios
• required U-values
• continuous insulation

Consequences:
Extensive use of curtain walls is becoming increasingly incompatible with modern building codes.

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Glass Rainscreen Systems: Same Aesthetic, Superior Performance

With a rainscreen system, glass cladding becomes a smart hybrid solution:

• Opaque wall behind → far better insulation than a curtain wall
• Ventilated cavity → optimal pressure and water management
• Opaque glass panels → clean, continuous appearance with no visible aluminum
• Interchangeable modules → full design flexibility

This provides:

• the look of glass
• the performance of an opaque wall
• a façade that is simpler, more durable, and more resilient

The modern alternative: the Multifaçades system

Faced with energy challenges and the need for architectural creativity, Multifaçades is a rain screen cladding system that integrates several materials (glass, aluminum, sintered stone, high-pressure laminate panels, and even photovoltaic panels) into a single module. Here are its main advantages:

• Seamless integration of glazing and opaque areas: thanks to a patented window (SM160) aligned with the cladding, the system creates a fluid appearance similar to a curtain wall while reducing the proportion of glazed surface area when energy efficiency requires it.
• Pressure equalization principle: the Multifaçades is based on a ventilated cavity that equalizes pressure on both sides of the cladding, preventing water from penetrating and ensuring excellent wind resistance.
• Thermal and acoustic performance: the system exceeds North American standards for insulation, air and water tightness, and wind resistance. The alignment of the glazing with the insulation limits thermal bridges and improves energy efficiency.
• Design flexibility: architects can choose the shape (rectangular, trapezoidal, curved) and size of the panels, up to 5 m² for an opaque module. The system is suitable for a wide variety of buildings—schools, hotels, residential or office towers—and is particularly effective when the facade has more than 60% opaque surface area.
• Suitable for renovations: the independence of the panels and prefabrication facilitate installation in renovation projects. Iconic projects such as the Snowdon Theater in Montreal, the LG2 headquarters, and the Sheraton Laval hotel have used this system to combine heritage and energy performance.

Conclusion & Recommendations

Architects today have the option of adopting hybrid solutions. Pressure-balanced systems such as Multifaçades, developed by STEKAR, combine glazing and opaque cladding to optimize comfort and energy efficiency while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. This type of system offers great design flexibility, better solar gain management, and simplified maintenance. It is a solid alternative to traditional curtain walls and meets increased performance and sustainability requirements.

For each project, it is recommended to:

1. Assess the climate and orientation: in areas with high levels of sunlight or strong winds, limit the amount of glazing and opt for solar control glazing and opaque cladding.
2. Consider local regulations: some standards impose minimum insulation values or prohibit certain cladding materials.
3. Working with experts: The design and installation of a glass or hybrid façade requires the expertise of building envelope specialists to ensure watertightness, durability, and compliance with standards.
4. Compare solutions: Modular systems such as the Multifaçades allow you to take advantage of glass while controlling thermal performance and carbon footprint. Comparing these solutions to conventional curtain walls helps you choose the option best suited to your project objectives.

By incorporating these considerations, architects can design facades that combine elegance and efficiency, striking the right balance between transparency and performance.