Glass Curtain Wall Market Analysis

Global Glass Curtain Wall Market Overview

Glass Curtain Wall Market Size was valued at USD 47.6 Billion in 2022. The Glass Curtain Wall industry is projected to grow from USD 51.07 Billion in 2023 to USD 89.7 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 7.30% during the forecast period (2023 - 2032). Increased emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient building designs in the construction industry and rapid urbanization are the key market drivers improving the growth of the market.Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Glass Curtain Wall Market Trends

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  Growing emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient building designs in the construction industry is driving the market growth.

  
  

Market CAGR for glass curtain walls is being driven by the rising emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient building designs in the construction industry. The construction industry is experiencing a shift towards more sustainable and energy-efficient building designs in response to environmental concerns and regulatory requirements. Glass curtain walls play a pivotal role in this trend. They are designed to maximize natural light penetration, reducing the need for the artificial lighting and, consequently, lowering energy consumption.

Advanced glazing technologies, such as low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and insulated glass units, enhance the thermal performance of curtain walls, reducing heating and cooling costs. As a result, architects, builders, and developers are increasingly turning to glass curtain walls as a sustainable solution to meet energy efficiency goals and achieve green building certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Glass curtain walls offer superior daylighting, allowing buildings to harness natural light, which not only reduces electricity consumption for lighting but also creates a more pleasant and productive indoor environment. Daylighting has been linked to improved occupant comfort, well-being, and productivity, making it an attractive feature for commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. Glass curtain walls are renowned for their aesthetic appeal, providing a sleek, modern, and transparent façade. This visually striking feature is particularly attractive in urban landscapes and corporate settings, enhancing the overall appearance and marketability of buildings. The demand for visually appealing structures drives the adoption of glass curtain walls in various construction projects.

Rapid urbanization and the population growth in many parts of the world have led to increased demand for commercial and residential spaces. Glass curtain walls enable architects and developers to maximize the use of limited urban real estate while providing occupants with unobstructed views and an abundance of natural light. This makes them a practical choice for high-rise buildings in densely populated urban areas. Further, the ongoing research and development efforts in the glass industry have led to innovations in glass coatings, laminates, and structural systems, making curtain walls more versatile and energy-efficient. These advancements have expanded the application of glass curtain walls in various climates, including those with extreme weather conditions. Thus driving the Glass Curtain Wall market revenue.

In March 2024, Giroux Glass Inc. unveiled the Giroux Unitized Curtain Wall solution, a meticulously tested, meticulously designed, and preassembled façade solution. This system combines technology and innovation to provide designers with a high-performance, long-lasting, and visually appealing alternative for building exteriors. The new system will be produced and assembled at the company's recently constructed 75,000-square-foot factory in Phoenix, Arizona. By locating the plant in the company's Phoenix facility, Giroux is able to offer consumers expedited delivery within one day to California and the Southwest region. The Giroux Unitized System provides water resistance, thermal characteristics, structural and seismic stability, as well as acoustical performance. The system provides a variety of finishes and allows for complete customization of parameters. It can mix and combine both recorded and SSG conditions as needed.

Glass Curtain Wall Market Segment Insights

Glass Curtain Wall Type Insights

The Glass Curtain Wall market segmentation, based on type, includes Unitized Systems and Stick Systems. The utilized system segment dominates the market, accounting for the largest market revenue due to their efficiency in construction and installation processes. These systems are pre-fabricated off-site in factory-controlled conditions, ensuring high-quality assembly and reducing on-site labor and construction time. Additionally, unitized systems offer superior weather resistance and thermal performance, making them a preferred choice for large-scale commercial and high-rise buildings, where quick installation and energy efficiency are essential considerations. Further, the stick system is anticipated to experience steady growth throughout the forecast period.

Glass Curtain Wall Glazing Application Insights

The Glass Curtain Wall market segmentation, based on glazing application, includes Exterior Glazed and Interior Glazed. The exterior glazed category dominated the market as exterior glazed curtain walls are more common and widely used than interior glazed ones in commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. They offer superior weather resistance, thermal performance, and aesthetics, making them the preferred choice for creating a protective and visually appealing building envelope. Interior glazed curtain walls are typically used in specific architectural designs or situations where a different aesthetic or functionality is desired, but they represent a smaller segment of market compared to exterior glazed systems.

Glass Curtain Wall End User Insights

The Glass Curtain Wall market segmentation, based on end users, includes Commercial, Residential and Public. The commercial category dominates the market of glass curtain walls. Commercial buildings, like office complexes, shopping malls, hotels, and skyscrapers, often have extensive glass curtain wall systems to enhance aesthetics, provide natural light, and create a modern and appealing exterior. These projects typically involve larger surface areas and higher demand for customization, making commercial applications the primary driver of the glass curtain wall market.

Figure 1: Glass Curtain Wall Market, by End User, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Glass Curtain Wall Regional Insights

By region, the study gives market insights into the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American Glass Curtain Wall market area dominates this market due to its robust construction industry, high demand for commercial and residential spaces, and stringent building regulations that promote energy efficiency and sustainability. The region's focus on modern architectural designs, especially in urban centers, has further contributed to the widespread adoption of glass curtain walls, making North America a prominent market leader in this segment.

Further, the prime countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: GLASS CURTAIN WALL MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion) Source: The Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe's Glass Curtain Wall market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and the sustainability in building construction, leading to a higher demand for eco-friendly and thermally efficient building envelopes. Further, the German Glass Curtain Wall market had the largest market revenue, and the UK Glass Curtain Wall market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Glass Curtain Wall Market is expected to rise at the rapid CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing construction of commercial and high-rise buildings in this region. Moreover, China’s Glass Curtain Wall market held the largest market share, and the Indian Glass Curtain Wall market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Glass Curtain Wall Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing hugely in research and development in order to spread their product lines, which will help the Glass Curtain Wall market grow even more. Market players are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to spread their footprint, with important market developments including mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, contractual agreements, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To spread and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the Glass Curtain Wall industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize the operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by the manufacturers in the Glass Curtain Wall industry to benefit the clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Glass Curtain Wall industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to the infrastructure industry. Major participants in the Glass Curtain Wall market, including AGC Inc., Central Glass Co., Ltd., AVIC Sanxin Co., Ltd., Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited, SCHOTT AG, China Glass Holdings Ltd., Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited, Saint-Gobain Group, Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V., Guardian Industries Holdings, LLC, and others, are trying to increase market demand by investing in the research and development operations.

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., commonly known as AGC, is a Japanese multinational corporation, specializing in glass, chemicals, and high-tech materials. AGC operates in various business segments, including Glass, Electronics, Chemicals, and Life Science. AGC is a leading manufacturer of architectural glass, including float glass, low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, and insulated glass units. These products are used in the construction industry for applications such as windows, curtain walls, and facades. The Glass segment is a significant part of the company, and it encompasses a wide range of glass products, including flat glass for architectural and automotive applications, as well as specialty glass for displays and electronics. In December 2022, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (AGC) and Schott AG announced a partnership to develop and commercialize new glass curtain wall systems that are more energy-efficient and sustainable. This partnership will combine the two companies' expertise in glass, coatings, and other materials to create innovative new products.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, commonly known as Saint-Gobain, is a French multinational corporation with a long history dating back to 1665. Saint-Gobain is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of the building materials and solutions. The company operates in various business segments, including Innovative Materials, Construction Products, and Building Distribution. Saint-Gobain operates one of the largest building materials distribution networks in Europe, offering a comprehensive range of products and services to construction professionals and contractors. In December 2022, Saint-Gobain partnered with the Chinese technology company Tencent to develop a new type of smart glass curtain wall that can control the amount of light and heat that enters a building. This partnership is expected to lead to the development of new and energy-efficient glass curtain wall products.

Key Companies in the Glass Curtain Wall market include

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  AGC Inc.

  
  


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  Central Glass Co., Ltd.

  
  


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  AVIC Sanxin Co., Ltd.

  
  


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  Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited

  
  


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  SCHOTT AG

  
  


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  China Glass Holdings Ltd.

  
  


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  Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited

  
  


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  Saint-Gobain Group

  
  


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  Vitro

  
  


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  S.A.B. de C.V.

  
  


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  Guardian Industries Holdings, LLC

  
  

Glass Curtain Wall Industry Developments

January 2023: AGC Inc. partnered with the Japanese construction company Shimizu Corporation to develop a new type of glass curtain wall that is resistant to earthquakes and typhoons. This partnership is expected to lead to the development of new and innovative glass curtain wall products that can be used in high-risk areas.

March 2023: Saint-Gobain and AGC Inc. announced a partnership to develop and commercialize new glass curtain wall technologies. This partnership will combine the two companies' expertise in glass, adhesives, and other building materials to create innovative new products and solutions.

August 2021: Dynamic Glass acquired Colorado Window Systems, Inc. (CWS), a leading glass and glazing service provider to the greater Denver metropolitan area. This acquisition expanded Dynamic Glass' service capabilities in Colorado and strengthened its position in the US market.

December 2023: Schüco International KG, a leading manufacturer of building envelopes, unveils its latest innovation: a self-cleaning glass curtain wall system that utilizes nano-coating technology to repel dirt and water. This technology promises to reduce maintenance costs and improve the long-term durability of the system.

In October 2023, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, a Dallas-based company that supplies architectural glass, aluminum, and hardware worldwide, introduced Reliance-TC LT as a new addition to its existing line of curtain wall solutions called Reliance. The product is referred to by the manufacturer as a curtain wall that is high-performance, lightweight, cost-competitive, and well-suited for IECC Zones 4-8. According to OBE, the double-pane curtain wall has a U-factor level of 0.29, which offers excellent thermal insulation against harsh climates in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, it sets new industry norms in this area. Reliance-TC LT is designed as an advancement of the Reliance-LT Curtain Wall, allowing installers to utilize their expertise in fabricating and installing that system.

Glass Curtain Wall Market Segmentation

Glass Curtain Wall Type Outlook

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  Unitized Systems

  
  


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  Stick Systems

  
  

Glass Curtain Wall Glazed Application Outlook

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  Exterior Glazed

  
  


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  Interior Glazed

  
  

Glass Curtain Wall End User Outlook

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  Commercial

  
  


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  Residential

  
  


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  Public

  
  

Glass Curtain Wall Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  • Saudi Arabia
  
  
  • Qatar
  
  
  • UAE
  
  
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  


• South America
  
  
  
  • Brazil
  
  
  • Argentina
  
  
  • Rest of South America