This nuance changes everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While architects still want glass for its elegance, visual purity, and ability to create a \u201csignature\u201d look, new energy requirements impose performance standards that an all-glass facade alone can no longer guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 Multifa\u00e7ades, developed by STEKAR, can achieve an all-glass look… without sacrificing energy performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Glass cladding covers the facade of a building <\/a>with glass panels fixed to a frame. This cladding has multiple functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to popular belief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is decorative, resistant, durable glass fixed in front of a high-performance insulated wall.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Its main functions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The installation of a glass cladding requires rigorous design and execution:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This building, a large-scale condominium tower in Montreal, incorporates the Multifa\u00e7ades with glass cladding modules.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Curtain walls, whether prefabricated or traditional (stick-built), offer spectacular aesthetics but have well-known limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A curtain wall is essentially a large glazed surface supported by aluminum. The result:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even high-performance double or triple glazing remains less insulating than an opaque wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mullions, transoms, and attachment components create a visible metallic signature that can clash with the purity of a continuous opaque-glass design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New North American standards require much stricter insulation values. Fully glazed fa\u00e7ades struggle to achieve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consequences:<\/strong> With a rainscreen system, glass cladding becomes a smart hybrid solution<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faced with energy challenges and the need for architectural creativity, Multifa\u00e7ades is a rain screen cladding system<\/a> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\nUltra-Concise Key Points Summary<\/strong>
Glass cladding is a non-structural glass panels for modern fa\u00e7ades; 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 Multifa\u00e7ades 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 fa\u00e7ades like the Multifa\u00e7ades balance aesthetics and performance better than fully glazed cladding.<\/strong><\/summary><\/details>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Glass Cladding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stekar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/06-MaryRobert_Drone_StephaneGroleau-430-500x325-1-1024x666.jpg\")
<\/figure>Why Use Glass Cladding Instead of Curtain Walls?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Lower Thermal Performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\n2. Aluminum Everywhere<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3. Energy Code Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Extensive use of curtain walls is becoming increasingly incompatible with modern building codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGlass Rainscreen Systems: Same Aesthetic, Superior Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The modern alternative: the Multifa\u00e7ades system<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Hybrid](\"https:\/\/stekar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/09-Marriott_Brossard-drone-StephaneGroleau-1545-1024x721-1.jpg\")
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