Opinions Requested Re: Curtain Wall Details

[renogreen]

I've been using Revit since 2005. The last firm I was at, we modeled curtain walls using the rather generic system family curtain wall Revit provides as a basis and changing the mullion thicknesses as needed. We detailed our head, jamb and sill details using standard details, drafting views set up within a Revit dummy project file, copy and paste the details into the project and modify as needed for building conditions that might slightly differ.

I recently started at a new firm where they do things a bit differently with no particular standard in procedure. (Part of my responsibility is to set up standards and procedures.)

One school of thought here is to model curtain walls using manufacturers systems, i.e. Kawneer, detailing by creating a detail view thru the head, jamb and sill and adding detail components and detail lines. One of the problems with this method is that generally, the shim portion of the mullions enter into the wall or floor. Lots of headaches with this method IMO. Lots of work involved with detailing to get it right. If the curtain wall moves, details have to be fixed, more work, more chance of error.

The other school of thought here is to model curtain walls generically, cut detail views, hide the generic mullions and add detail components and detail lines. I see this as having the same problems, lots of work involved, the curtain wall moves and the details have to be corrected.

I understand that starting a detail by creating a detail view is generally preferred over using drafting views, but isn't it a drag on productivity to do it that way with curtain walls? I love Revit but I hate to kill productivity by spending so much time on detailing a curtain wall when in most cases, a standard drafting view will fill the bill.

I know this is a long post but I'm looking for opinions/consensus on what is the best method.

Thanks.

[d.stairmand]

Reno
There is a heap of Formun Threads regarding the Curtain Wall's - Just do a search

Me personally - I would model the CW up to inc. the Shim.
The Curtain Wall would then give the Wall Rough Opening Size Correctly.
Re the Details - I use Details Components over the Model, so I can then do Spot Heights etc. that relate to overall Building Heights etc.

[sbrown]

I like using generic CW but make the perimeter mullion profiles thicker(so instead of 2.5" x 5" its 2.75" x 5" so they include the shim space so that the R.O. is correct, then do you detail view call out, place your typical detail components overtop and turn off the CW category.

[renogreen]

Yep...tons of threads regarding curtain walls. Couldn't find much regarding my specific questions pertaining to curtain walls.

Lots of views to this thread and only 2 responses? Come on. I would really like to know how more people are treating this. There can't be just 3 of us dealing with detailing curtain walls.

[Mike Sealander]

There's really only a couple ways to slice this problem, which is probably why more people aren't chiming in. I've been leaning heavily on "less modeling, more detailing" lately, not just for curtain walls. At a certain point (1/2" = 1'- 0") you've answered all your quantity and collision issues, so why continue to model more and more detail? As I'm sure you remember, the mantra in hand and 2d CAD drafting was draw less, not more. That same tactic increases BIM productivity too.