Storefront
Storefront is a framing system that usually runs from the floor to the structure above, about one story tall. It's mostly used at ground-floor retail and entrances. It costs less and is installed and glazed on site.
Curtain wall
Curtain wall hangs off the outside of the building structure and can span several floors. Deeper mullions let it handle more wind load and taller spans. It's used for office, medical and mid-rise buildings.
Window wall
Window wall sits between floor slabs, one story at a time. It's common in multifamily and mixed-use buildings and falls between storefront and curtain wall in cost.
How to choose
- Ground floor only, one story high: storefront.
- Tall glass spans or multiple floors: curtain wall.
- Multifamily with glass between floor slabs: window wall.
- Your architect's specs and wind-load requirements make the final call.