Quick answer: Stick-built curtain wall is a multi-story aluminum-and-glass facade assembled member-by-member directly on the building's structure. Individual mullions are anchored to slab edges, then horizontals and glass are installed piece by piece. Distinct from unitized curtain wall, which is prefabricated in panels and craned into place. Stick-built is cheaper, more flexible, and better for projects up to 8 stories.
Step 1: Anchors installed at slab edges per shop drawings. Step 2: Vertical mullions installed and anchored. Step 3: Horizontal members installed between mullions. Step 4: Spandrel panels installed at slab lines. Step 5: Vision glass installed (typically wet-glazed or pressure-equalized dry-glazed). Step 6: Sealants and weep system completed. Step 7: Final inspection and punch.
Stick-built: projects under 8 stories, complex geometries, budget-driven projects, jobs where field modifications are likely, smaller crew availability. Unitized: high-rise (8+ stories), tight schedules, complex assemblies (structural silicone, decorative coatings), better weather-tightness.
Stick-built curtain wall in Florida: $95-$175/SF installed. Unitized curtain wall: $135-$240/SF installed. Difference: 30-40% premium for unitized. The premium often pays back via faster schedule and tighter weather sealing.
Stick-built install: typically 2,500-4,000 SF per crew per week (5 person crew). Unitized install: 5,000-8,000 SF per crew per week. Unitized is roughly 2x faster on the install phase, though shop fabrication is longer.
HVHZ stick-built curtain wall is fully approvable but requires careful field sealant application, anchorage QA, and proper weep detailing. NOAs reference complete assemblies; the field crew must maintain the tested configuration. Stick-built is more error-prone in HVHZ work — use experienced glaziers only.
Some 10-15 story projects choose stick-built because: (1) complex curved or angled facades that don't unitize well, (2) tight site access (cranes can't easily land unitized panels), (3) phased construction with field-coordinated tolerances. Stick-built remains a valid choice on appropriate projects.
Stick-built is assembled member-by-member on-site. Unitized is prefabricated in shop-assembled panels and craned into place. Stick-built is cheaper but slower; unitized is faster but more expensive.
Yes — HVHZ-rated stick-built curtain wall is available with Miami-Dade NOAs. The full assembly (frame + glass + anchorage + sealants) is tested as a unit.
Stick-built can technically go to high-rise heights but becomes cost-uncompetitive vs unitized above 8-10 stories. Most stick-built work is under 8 stories.
Unitized is more weather-tight because joints between factory-assembled panels are field-sealed (fewer field-sealed joints). Stick-built has more field-sealed joints, which means more potential leak points.
Unitized installs roughly 2x faster than stick-built in the field (5,000-8,000 SF/wk vs 2,500-4,000 SF/wk). However, unitized requires more shop fabrication time upfront.
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