Curtain Wall vs. Storefront Systems: What’s the Difference?

A storefront system might look the same as a curtain wall system from the outside, but you really can’t exchange the work they do for one another. The work is in the amount of pressure that each framing system is designed to withstand. A curtain wall can take on the high wind pressure on tall multi-storey buildings, while the storefront system can only work for ground level buildings.

Structurally, a curtain wall system hangs from a building’s structural frame and can span multiple floors of exterior wall, while a storefront system fits within a single floor’s structural opening and typically stops at ground level. This difference . It affects your project’s cost, timeline, and what your building’s structure can actually support.

Trying to figure out which system applies to your building or project? This guide breaks down how curtain wall and storefront systems work, where each one fits, and how to think through the decision if you’re weighing a replacement or upgrade. Whether you manage a co-op, an institutional building, or a mixed-use tower, you’ll walk away with a clear reference for the conversation ahead.

What Is a Curtain Wall System?

A curtain wall is a non-load-bearing exterior wall system that hangs from a building’s structural frame rather than supporting the building itself. It’s built to act as the outer climate barrier across the full facade, sealing out wind, water, and air infiltration while the building’s frame carries the actual structural load. You’ll typically find curtain wall systems on multi-story and high-rise buildings, where the system spans several floors as a continuous panel of glass and metal.

Curtain wall systems have to run deeper than storefront framing, since they need to manage higher wind load and thermal movement across taller edifices. Curtain walls use anchorage types that transfer load from the system to the building as the building shifts through daily temperature cycles. 

Curtain walls can either come as a unitized unit or as a stick-built system. The unitized curtain wall systems are those assembled from the factories like Kawneer or Graham Architectural. These unitized systems are faster to install making them a great pick for massive building projects. On the other hand, stick-built curtain wall frames are best for projects with intricate designs, thereby, requiring on-site assembling. However, the flexibility that stick-built curtain walls offer is also why they lead to a longer installation timeline.

Curtain walls are most suitable for modern, high-rise commercial buildings. Choosing to go with a curtain wall system rests on certain architectural and engineering considerations. Some of the factors that are considered include air resistance, wind load, water resistance, and thermal expansion. There are also climate and hazard risk specifications involved in the construction specs like snow compatibility, fire safety standards, among others.

What Is a Storefront System?

A storefront system is a lighter-duty aluminum-and-glass framing system, generally installed at ground level or within a single story. You’ll see it most often at retail entrances, office lobbies, restaurant fronts, and other ground-floor glazing where foot traffic and visibility matter more than facade height. Unlike curtain walls, a storefront system generally installs within the existing structural opening rather than carrying loads across multiple floors.

Storefront framing is typically shallower than curtain wall framing, since it doesn’t need to account for the same wind load or thermal movement across a tall facade. This makes storefront systems more straightforward to install and, in most cases, more cost effective for single-story applications.

Storefronts are mostly field-fabricated and field-glazed, and they employ exterior glazing. For the storefront system, they have perimeter anchorage meaning that the framing is fastened to the building overhead structure and floor slab at the head, sill, and jamb. This design is necessary because storefronts are mostly used in buildings with higher foot traffic like stores or offices.

Storefront systems come at a comparative lower cost than curtain wall systems. Also, the performance requirements are lower for them, as they are lower-risk options used in low-rise buildings, compared to the higher stakes involved with high-rise buildings. However, because they are exposed to more frequent use, they often require more frequent maintenance.

The difference in scope is part of why the two systems get compared so often, even though they serve different structural purposes.

Key Differences at a Glance

Here’s a side by side breakdown of how curtain wall and storefront systems compare across the factors that matter most for planning your project.

Attribute	Curtain wall	Storefront
Typical building application	High-rise and multi-floor buildings	Ground-level and single-story applications
Load-bearing role	Non-load-bearing, hung from the structural frame	Installs within the existing structural opening
Relative frame and mullion depth	Generally deeper, to manage wind load and thermal movement	Generally shallower
Water management approach	Each glass bay drains its own water through drainage hole rails	Water is channeled and drained at a single outlet at the bottom
Thermal and acoustic performance	Generally higher, given the added framing depth	Generally lower, though this varies by glazing package
Typical installation method	Panel installation, unitized or stick-built	Window-style installation
Relative cost and install speed	Typically higher cost, longer install timeline	Typically lower cost, faster install for single-story scope

Which System Fits Your Building?

The right system for your building depends less on preference and more on what your structure was built to support and what your project actually needs to achieve.

Co-ops and Condos

Co-op and condo buildings typically use storefront systems at the lobby or entrance level, where the scope stays within a single floor. Curtain walls could come into play if your building’s facade extends across multiple floors of glazing, though that’s less common outside larger developments. Board approval requirements often shape which system makes sense before a technical evaluation even begins.

In essence, the size of the project and the design specifications required will determine whether a storefront system is suitable or a curtain wall system. From our experience, what project managers and architects also consider for condos and co-op buildings are design and durability. On both accounts, curtain wall systems are a stronger fit than storefront glazing because they are built for better aesthetics and durability.

Schools and Institutional Buildings

Schools and institutional buildings have to prioritize safety and performance over speed of install, since these buildings serve occupants throughout the day. Storefront systems could work well for entrances and single-story wings, while a curtain wall system might apply to larger academic or administrative buildings with multi-floor facades. Either system needs to account for security glazing and impact requirements specific to institutional use.

With that said, we will favour a storefront system for low-rise institutional buildings owing on account of the higher foot traffic in such areas. Whereas, for high-rise academic facilities, a curtain wall glazing will be the only viable option in terms of the structural demands of these buildings.

Landmark and Historic Buildings

Landmark status can constrain which system and materials get approved for your building, regardless of what would otherwise make technical sense. If you’re managing a designated landmark property, that regulatory layer typically shapes the project timeline as much as the system choice itself. We’ll cover the landmark approval process in more detail in a future guide. Although, we will say that curtain wall systems will generally be a better fit for the main facade for such grande edifices, while you might come across a storefront glazing for the entrance or lobby areas in landmark buildings.

Office and Mixed-Use Towers

Office and mixed-use towers are where curtain wall systems show up most often, since these buildings typically span many floors of continuous facade. A storefront system might still apply at the ground-floor retail or lobby level, even within a building that uses a curtain wall above. Curtain wall and storefront projects in Manhattan often combine both systems within the same building for exactly this reason. Office complexes also favour curtain wall systems for their aesthetic advantages, aside the structural compatibility.

Replacing or Upgrading an Existing Curtain Wall or Storefront System

Most of the curtain wall and storefront work Liberty Window Group handles isn’t new construction. It’s an aging storefront that’s underperforming on energy efficiency or letting in water, or facade work that uncovers deteriorated curtain walls behind an otherwise intact exterior. A building preparing for a compliance deadline can also trigger a replacement decision before problems become visible.

Upgrading a storefront system to curtain wall level performance is possible in some cases, though it typically requires a full system change rather than a partial retrofit. That distinction matters early, since it affects both budget and project scope before work begins.

Replacement work on an occupied building differs from new construction in ways that go beyond the technical specification. You’re typically coordinating around tenants or building operations, securing co-op or condo board approval, and phasing the work to limit disruption. Liberty plans around these constraints from the first site visit, not after the contract is signed.

FAQs About Curtain Wall vs. Storefront Systems

Is a curtain wall more expensive than a storefront system?

Generally, yes. Curtain wall systems typically cost more than storefront systems, given the added framing depth, engineering, and multi-floor installation scope involved. The exact difference depends on your building’s height, glazing package, and site access conditions.

Can a storefront system be converted to a curtain wall?

In some cases, yes, though it typically requires a full system change rather than a partial upgrade. The existing structural opening and frame depth usually can’t support curtain wall performance without modification, so this needs a technical evaluation specific to your building.

Do co-op or condo boards require a specific system?

Not universally, no. Most co-op and condo boards evaluate system choice case by case based on the building’s structure, budget, and the scope of the project, though board approval steps typically apply regardless of which system you choose.

How long does curtain wall installation take compared to storefront?

Curtain wall installation generally takes longer than storefront installation, since it spans more floors and involves more complex coordination with the building’s structure. Storefront installation is typically faster, given its smaller scope and single-story application.

Conclusion

Whether your building calls for a curtain wall system, a storefront system, or a mix of both, the right choice comes down to your structure, your budget, and what you’re trying to achieve. Liberty Window Group provides commercial window installation in New York City across curtain wall and storefront projects for co-ops, institutional buildings, and commercial towers.