Aluminum and glass curtain walls have gained enormous popularity across Canada and the United States as an engineered system used as the vertical envelope for a variety of low-rise and high-rise building types, particularly in the institutional and commercial sector. This paper shall focus on design considerations for curtain wall parapets in cold climates. Symptoms of water leakage problems caused by condensation behind curtain wall parapet assemblies is a recurring issue which often entails costly remedial repair measures. Despite the recurring problems encountered on several buildings, there are still very few guidelines available to assist designers with proper detailing considerations.

Note: This is an extended, two-page abstract.

Presented at Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings X – December 2007

Units: SI