Timber curtain walls (TCW) are renowned for their striking visual appeal, seamlessly blending the warmth of natural wood with expansive glass panes to create elegant, biophilic building facades. But while they undoubtedly look impressive, Unicel Architectural’s TCWs are much more than just a beautiful design element. Our timber facades offer several key advantages over standard curtain walls, including enhanced sustainability, greater design versatility, and additional performance benefits.

Sustainability and energy efficiency: Timber is more sustainable than steel or aluminum because wood serves as a carbon storage vehicle—wood products are around 50 percent carbon by dry weight—while the creation of other materials results in net carbon emissions.

TCWs are also more than 70 percent more energy efficient than a standard curtain wall because they lose less energy; promote passive solar heating; can better manage thermal conduction, convection, and radiation; and provide natural insulation.

Design versatility: It’s no secret that large glass panes framed with rich wood mullions create a visually stunning facade. But beyond their aesthetic appeal, timber curtain walls are engineered for strength and durability. Constructed with insulated glass units and robust silicone adhesives, these systems provide the structural integrity needed to support expansive glass panes, enabling architects and designers to craft impressive load-bearing facades that are as functional as they are beautiful.

TCWs can also come in a variety of wood species depending on the design in question, including glue laminated Douglas fir, black spruce and other custom species available upon request.

Prefabrication: Unicel Architectural TCWs are carefully assembled by skilled craftsmen in our precision-driven manufacturing facility, ensuring both quality and attention to detail in every component. This prefabrication process not only speeds up on-site installation but also enhances efficiency and safety during construction. Each TCW features factory-finished glulam mullions, ready for seamless integration into your project.

See it in action:

• Penn State University
• Princeton University
• Wellesley College
• Quinnipiac University

Key features of Unicel Architectural Timber Curtain Wall:

• Available in a range of custom wood species
• All TCW mullions come fully assembled with all anchors and membranes
• Greater thermal insulation, wind resistance, and air tightness than any other curtain wall product on the market
• Allow for unsupported spans of up to 30 feet (9 m) and a single mullion up to 46 feet (14 m)
• Accommodates designs requiring load-bearing curtain walls