Curtain Wall Anchors: Small Connections, Big Consequences

When curtain walls move in ways they shouldn’t, the root cause is often hidden in the smallest connection points.

One of the most critical is the curtain wall anchor — the p-clip and its serrated washer connection to the structure.

Why It Matters

When installed correctly, with the serrations properly engaged, these connections ensure:

• Clean load transfer from façade to structure

• Stability under wind pressure

• Accommodation of dead load and seismic drift

• Long-term reliability of the entire curtain wall system

But miss that alignment — even slightly — and the consequences compound:

• Slippage over time

• Reduced load capacity

• Unintended movement surfacing months or even years later

• Failures that remain hidden until the façade is sealed, trimmed, and finished

The Hidden Truth of Façade Engineering

The performance of a curtain wall isn’t decided by its grand design concepts or glossy renders. It’s determined in the hidden places:

• Behind mullion covers

• Under perimeter trims

• Inside the connections where bolts, washers, and clips quietly carry the system’s entire load

The Bottom Line

In façade engineering, success isn’t just about designing for performance — it’s about executing every small connection with precision. Because the devil isn’t in the big picture. It’s in the bolts, washers, and clips that hold it all together.