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Modern commercial building with aluminum and glass curtain wall façades
Schüco aluminum curtain wall systems

Build the envelope.
Keep the light.

Compare eight Schüco FWS mullion-transom and AOC timber add-on systems for commercial glass façades, skylights, slim structural grids and high-performance building envelopes.

8 façade systems35–60 mm face widthsFaçades + skylights
A curtain wall is a system

Structure. Glass.
Weather control.

An aluminum curtain wall is a non-load-bearing building enclosure. Vertical mullions and horizontal transoms support glass and infill panels, manage water and air, transfer façade loads to the structure and coordinate every operable insert.

01

Standard FWS platforms

FWS 50 and FWS 60 are flexible stick-built curtain wall systems for façades and skylights with broad cover-cap, pressure-plate and insert-unit options.

Search intent: commercial curtain wall · glass façade
02

Super Insulated

FWS 50.SI and FWS 60.SI enhance the thermal zone for energy-conscious commercial and residential envelopes with 50 or 60 mm exterior grids.

Search intent: thermally broken curtain wall
03

Panorama Design

FWS 35 PD and PD.SI reduce the face width to 35 mm and support transparent all-glass corners without a vertical corner mullion.

Search intent: minimal mullion · structural glass façade
04

AOC timber add-on

AOC 50 TI and AOC 60 TI place an aluminum glazing system over timber substructures for vertical façades and low-slope glass roofs.

Search intent: timber curtain wall · glass roof system
System comparison

Eight façade platforms.
One coordinated envelope.

Open each system for its published design intent, integration options and the US engineering questions that remain project specific.

08
System sectionSchüco FWS 60 aluminum curtain wall profile section
Schüco FWS 60
01
Mullion-Transom · 60 mm Grid

FWS 60

A versatile 60 mm curtain wall platform for façades and skylights

FWS 60 provides a broad base for high-performance glass façades, sloped glazing and integrated building components. Its wider 60 mm exterior grid supports diverse design and application requirements while maintaining a consistent visual order.

60 mm face widthFaçades + skylightsIntegrated insert unitsAutomated components
Explore FWS 60

Architectural options

  • Broad selection of pressure plates and cover caps
  • Stainless-steel cover-cap options
  • Consistent 60 mm exterior sightline
  • Suitable for vertical façades and skylight areas

Integrated systems

  • Compatible Schüco windows and doors
  • Sliding-system insert options
  • Profile-integrated spandrel safety barrier
  • Components for automated doors and sun shading

Best suited to

Commercial curtain walls, institutional glazing, atriums and skylights where a robust exterior grid and a broad range of integrated elements are more important than the narrowest possible mullion.

US project check

Engineer mullion depth, reinforcing, glass support, anchors and splice locations for the project wind pressure, tributary area, story height and building movement.

Platform sectionSchüco FWS 60 platform profile section representing the FWS 60.SI family
FWS 60 platform · FWS 60.SI family
02
Super Insulated · 60 mm Grid

FWS 60.SI

Passive-house-certified thermal performance with the flexibility of a 60 mm façade grid

FWS 60.SI combines Schüco's Super Insulated isolator technology with a versatile 60 mm mullion-transom platform. It is designed for highly insulated façades and skylights, including large glass loads and thick triple-glazed units.

60 mm face widthSuper InsulatedTriple glazingFaçades + skylights
Explore FWS 60.SI

Thermal strategy

  • European passive-house-certified system
  • Reflective isolator and pressure-plate surfaces reduce radiant energy loss
  • Highly insulated vertical and sloped glazing
  • Optimized fabrication and installation workflow

Glass and design range

  • Comprehensive carriers for large glass loads
  • Supports high glass thicknesses and triple glazing
  • Multiple profile depths
  • Broad selection of exterior cover caps

Best suited to

High-performance commercial, institutional and residential curtain walls where demanding thermal targets, larger panes and a substantial 60 mm exterior grid need to work together.

US project check

Model the complete assembly rather than relying on European certification alone. Confirm NFRC methodology, project glass, spacer, frame depth, anchors, perimeter interfaces and condensation criteria.

System sectionSchüco FWS 50.SI super-insulated curtain wall profile section
Schüco FWS 50.SI
03
Super Insulated · 50 mm Grid

FWS 50.SI

Highly insulated curtain wall construction with a slim 50 mm façade grid

FWS 50.SI uses enhanced isolator technology to combine a narrow mullion-transom appearance with demanding thermal goals. Schüco positions the system for façades and skylights up to European passive-house level.

50 mm face widthSuper InsulatedPassive-house certifiedCradle to Cradle Silver
Explore FWS 50.SI

Thermal concept

  • Super Insulated isolator platform
  • European passive-house-certified system
  • Supports façades and skylights
  • Designed for optimized fabrication and installation

Design and integration

  • Pressure plates and cover caps in multiple designs
  • Profile-integrated spandrel safety barrier
  • Compatible Schüco windows, doors and sliders
  • Electrical components and sun shading integration

Sustainability

The official product information identifies Silver Cradle to Cradle certification for material health and circularity criteria. Project-level environmental claims still depend on the complete building assembly.

US project check

European passive-house certification is not a US whole-building result. Require NFRC or approved project-specific thermal modeling for the exact glass, spacers, mullion depths, anchors and perimeter conditions.

System sectionSchüco FWS 35 PD.SI Panorama Design curtain wall profile section
Schüco FWS 35 PD.SI
04
Panorama Design · Super Insulated

FWS 35 PD.SI

A 35 mm minimal-grid curtain wall with high insulation and all-glass corners

FWS 35 PD.SI combines the transparency of Panorama Design with the enhanced thermal performance of a Super Insulated platform. A system-integrated corner solution eliminates the vertical mullion from all-glass corners.

35 mm face widthAll-glass cornerPassive-house certifiedSeamless insert integration
Explore FWS 35 PD.SI

Transparency

  • Extremely narrow 35 mm exterior face width
  • All-glass corner without vertical corner profile
  • Representative residential and commercial façades
  • Panorama Design visual language

Integrated building envelope

  • Seamless Panorama Design connections
  • Compatible PD windows and concealed opening vents
  • Even transitions to compatible sliding systems
  • Discreet attachments for Schüco sun shading

Performance direction

The SI platform targets passive-house-level thermal performance while tested security solutions and shading integration broaden its use in premium building envelopes.

US project check

Minimal 35 mm sightlines increase the importance of mullion depth, steel reinforcement, glass edge design and structural silicone or gasket interfaces. Verify every span with project engineering.

System sectionSchüco FWS 35 PD minimal curtain wall profile section
Schüco FWS 35 PD
05
Panorama Design · 35 mm Grid

FWS 35 PD

Maximum transparency for representative ground-level glass façades

FWS 35 PD prioritizes narrow framing and uninterrupted views. The integrated all-glass corner and concealed connections to compatible Panorama Design elements create a continuous architectural language across the envelope.

35 mm face widthProfile-free glass cornerPD window integrationSun-shading interfaces
Explore FWS 35 PD

Architectural character

  • Minimal visible mullion-transom grid
  • All-glass corner without a vertical corner mullion
  • Designed for light-filled premium spaces
  • Residential and commercial applications

System integration

  • Connections for Panorama Design windows
  • Compatible projected and parallel-opening vents
  • Concealed TipTronic actuator options in compatible vents
  • Discreet sun-shading attachment components

Best suited to

Luxury residential façades, showrooms, hospitality spaces and low-rise commercial curtain walls where the 35 mm grid and transparent corner are central design features.

US project check

Coordinate corner glass makeup, edge support, sealant movement, heat-treated glass, fall protection and replacement access. “All-glass” does not mean structurally unsupported.

System sectionSchüco FWS 50 aluminum curtain wall profile section
Schüco FWS 50
06
Mullion-Transom · 50 mm Grid

FWS 50

A flexible 50 mm stick-built curtain wall for façades and skylights

FWS 50 is the slim standard platform of the group. It supports varied façade and skylight configurations, floor-to-ceiling opening units, low spandrels and integrated Schüco windows, doors and sliding systems.

50 mm face widthBroad cap selectionSpandrel safety barrierInsert-unit integration
Explore FWS 50

Design options

  • 50 mm consistent exterior grid
  • Multiple pressure plates and façade cover caps
  • Stainless-steel cover-cap options
  • Vertical façades and sloped skylight glazing

Functional integration

  • Profile-integrated spandrel safety barrier
  • Compatible Schüco windows and doors
  • Sliding-system integration
  • Automated door and shading components

Best suited to

Commercial glass façades, atriums, retail architecture and high-end residences seeking a slim conventional curtain-wall grid with broad system flexibility.

US project check

Define whether the project requires captured glazing, special cover caps, operable inserts, interior condensation control, pressure equalization and laboratory or field mockup testing.

System sectionSchüco AOC 60 TI aluminum-on-timber curtain wall profile section
Schüco AOC 60 TI
07
Add-On Construction · Timber · 60 mm

AOC 60 TI

A 60 mm aluminum glazing system over timber for façades and low-slope glass roofs

AOC 60 TI combines a warm timber substructure on the interior with a weather-protective aluminum add-on system outside. Schüco developed it for large vertical glass façades and skylights, with guided load transfer and fastening for large panes and triple glazing.

60 mm system widthTimber substructureRoof pitch to 2°Large panes
Explore AOC 60 TI

Timber and aluminum

  • Interior timber support structure
  • Exterior aluminum pressure and cover system
  • Vertical façades and glass roofs
  • 60 mm architectural grid

Planning benefits

  • Defined load transfer and screw guidance
  • Supports large panes and triple glazing
  • Roof applications down to 2° pitch
  • Integrated sealing concept for high thermal performance

Openings and security

Compatible AWS 114 projected top-hung and parallel-opening windows can provide large automated vents, including standard ventilation and smoke-and-heat-exhaust applications. Schüco also lists tested burglar resistance on timber substructures.

US project check

Coordinate species and grade of timber, moisture movement, preservative compatibility, screw withdrawal values, drainage, glazing dead load, roof slope and project-specific air, water and structural testing.

System sectionSchüco AOC 50 TI aluminum-on-timber curtain wall profile section
Schüco AOC 50 TI
08
Add-On Construction · Timber · 50 mm

AOC 50 TI

A slender 50 mm aluminum-on-timber façade and skylight system

AOC 50 TI applies the same timber add-on principle with a narrower 50 mm system width. It is intended for transparent vertical envelopes and glass roofs where exposed timber, refined exterior sightlines and streamlined fabrication should work as one assembly.

50 mm system widthTimber substructureTriple glazingAutomated vents
Explore AOC 50 TI

Architectural concept

  • Slim 50 mm add-on construction
  • Timber visible on the room side
  • Aluminum weathering layer outside
  • Vertical façades and low-slope skylights

Glass and roof design

  • Guided load transfer for large panes
  • Suitable for thick triple glazing
  • Glass-roof pitches down to 2°
  • Integrated screw guidance within the sealing system

Integrated ventilation

Schüco AWS 114 projected top-hung or parallel-opening units can be integrated as large automated windows and connected to building controls for comfort ventilation or smoke-and-heat-exhaust concepts.

US project check

Verify timber engineering, fastener design, differential movement, fire requirements, interior humidity, perimeter transitions, glass replacement access and the exact test specimen used to document performance.

These are independently written summaries based on Schüco's official architect information. Face width describes the exterior grid; mullion depth, timber structure, reinforcing, glass, anchors and verified performance remain project and configuration specific.

US curtain-wall checklist

Specify the envelope,
not only the profile.

A curtain wall succeeds as a complete assembly. Glass, aluminum, gaskets, pressure plates, anchors, perimeter transitions and integrated openings must be tested and coordinated together.

01

Structural design

Calculate wind pressure, tributary area, mullion deflection, glass loads, anchors and building movement.

02

Air and water

Define laboratory and field test requirements, drainage paths, pressure equalization and perimeter seals.

03

Thermal performance

Model the complete framing, glass, spacers, anchors and spandrel zones for U-factor and condensation risk.

04

Glass and spandrels

Coordinate insulated glass, heat treatment, frit, shadow boxes, backpans, insulation and safety barriers.

05

Movement and fire

Detail slab-edge anchors, stack joints, seismic drift, perimeter fire containment and smoke seals.

06

Integrated openings

Review windows, doors, sliders and sun shading as tested interfaces—not isolated catalog components.

Frequently asked questions

Aluminum curtain walls,
answered clearly.

Fast answers for architects, developers and glazing contractors comparing Schüco FWS and AOC façade systems.

What is a mullion-transom curtain wall?

It is a stick-built, non-load-bearing exterior wall. Vertical mullions and horizontal transoms support glass and panels, drain water and transfer façade loads to the building structure.

What is the difference between FWS 50 and FWS 60?

The defining visible difference is the exterior grid: 50 mm versus 60 mm. Both support façades, skylights, multiple cover-cap designs and compatible insert units. Structural depth is selected separately through project engineering.

What does SI mean?

SI means Super Insulated. FWS 60.SI, FWS 50.SI and FWS 35 PD.SI use enhanced thermal zones for stronger building-envelope performance. US projects still require configuration-specific thermal documentation.

Which FWS system has the slimmest mullions?

FWS 35 PD and FWS 35 PD.SI use a 35 mm Panorama Design face width and can create all-glass corners without a visible vertical corner mullion.

Can windows and doors be integrated?

Yes. Schüco publishes integration options for compatible windows, doors, sliding systems, automated components and sun shading. Interfaces and performance evidence must match the exact combination.

How are AOC 50 TI and AOC 60 TI different from FWS?

AOC TI is an aluminum add-on glazing system mounted to a timber substructure; FWS is a complete aluminum mullion-transom platform. AOC 50 TI uses a 50 mm grid and AOC 60 TI a 60 mm grid. Both support vertical façades, skylights, large panes and triple glazing.

Are the systems automatically approved in the USA?

No. The fabricated curtain wall must be engineered for the project's US codes, wind and seismic loads, air/water criteria, glazing, fire-safing, anchors and local approval requirements.

From concept grid to engineered façade

Planning an aluminum
curtain wall?

Send elevations, module dimensions, project location and performance criteria. We will structure the requirements and identify the Schüco FWS or AOC platforms worth evaluating.

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