UAE Curtain Walls Market Overview, 2030

The curtain wall market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced substantial growth due to the country’s rapid urban development and its increasing focus on modern and sustainable architecture. Curtain walls, typically composed of materials such as glass and aluminum, have become integral components of high-rise structures across the nation, offering both aesthetic appeal and performance benefits. These facades provide buildings with an opportunity to enhance their design while simultaneously improving energy efficiency by allowing natural light to filter through while keeping the interiors cool. The growth of the UAE’s real estate sector, particularly in commercial and mixed-use developments, has created a strong demand for curtain wall systems, as they align with the country's focus on creating iconic and energy-efficient structures. As the UAE continues to pursue ambitious building projects like large-scale office towers, shopping malls, and hotels, the curtain wall market is set to expand further. Moreover, these systems are being increasingly adopted as part of the UAE's push towards green building practices. The adoption of energy-efficient curtain wall systems, which can offer thermal insulation and reduce solar heat gain, is seen as a crucial component of achieving the nation’s sustainability objectives. However, the UAE’s extreme climatic conditions, including high temperatures and frequent sandstorms, present a unique set of challenges for curtain wall systems, necessitating specialized materials and designs to ensure durability and performance. As a result, manufacturers are continually innovating, introducing new materials and technologies to enhance the functionality and longevity of curtain walls in the region, addressing both environmental and performance standards.

According to the research report, "UAE Curtain Wall Market Overview, 2030," published by Bonafide Research, the UAE Curtain Wall market is anticipated to grow at more than 8.55% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The UAE curtain wall market has also witnessed an increasing trend toward technological advancement, particularly in the areas of design and energy efficiency. Developers, architects, and contractors are looking for curtain wall solutions that offer superior thermal insulation, minimize energy consumption, and contribute to the overall sustainability of the building. Modern curtain walls can be designed to enhance acoustic performance and reduce the building's environmental impact through advanced glazing and multi-layered systems that help regulate indoor temperatures. The demand for more energy-efficient buildings has influenced the growth of energy-efficient curtain wall systems, including those with photovoltaic glazing and other integrated green technologies. This shift towards more sustainable and high-performance systems is reflective of broader global trends in construction, where developers are increasingly prioritizing buildings that meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and similar green certifications. In response to this demand, both local and international suppliers are entering the market, driving competition and pushing for the development of innovative and cost-effective solutions. Strategic partnerships between curtain wall manufacturers, architects, and construction firms are becoming more common as stakeholders collaborate on high-profile, large-scale developments in the UAE. As the country continues to prioritize smart city initiatives and urban renewal projects, the curtain wall market is expected to grow significantly, with increased investment in innovative materials and sustainable designs. This growth will be supported by the continued expansion of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments in major urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The UAE’s curtain wall market is a rapidly expanding sector, heavily influenced by both the booming construction industry and a strong focus on urban development. Within the market, new construction has been the dominant driver of growth, especially with the ongoing push for smart cities and modern infrastructure projects across major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Large-scale, high-rise commercial and residential buildings, as well as government and hospitality projects, continue to fuel the demand for curtain wall systems. The UAE’s ambition to position itself as a global architectural hub is reflected in its iconic skyscrapers and mixed-use developments that demand cutting-edge façade technologies to meet both aesthetic and functional criteria. New construction projects benefit from the latest advancements in energy-efficient designs and sustainable building materials, such as double- and triple-glazed glass, thermally broken frames, and solar-integrated facades. The UAE’s construction regulations, including the UAE Green Building Regulations, incentivize the use of environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, pushing developers to adopt curtain wall solutions that align with sustainability goals. On the other hand, the refurbishment segment is also experiencing growth, driven by the need to modernize aging infrastructure, especially in areas with older commercial buildings and residential towers. Refurbishment projects focus on upgrading the thermal performance, aesthetics, and energy efficiency of existing buildings, making the retrofitting of curtain walls a valuable solution for achieving these objectives. While refurbishment represents a smaller portion of the overall market, its importance is steadily increasing as buildings approach the end of their life cycle and owners seek to meet newer environmental standards and reduce operational costs.

The curtain wall systems in the UAE market are predominantly categorized into three key types: unitized, stick-built, and semi-unitized. The unitized curtain wall system has gained significant traction in the UAE, primarily due to its efficiency and superior quality control during the manufacturing process. These prefabricated panels are assembled in factories and then transported to the site for installation, reducing on-site construction time and labor costs. This system is particularly suited for large-scale, high-rise developments in cities like Dubai, where rapid construction timelines are essential to meet the demands of the real estate sector. Unitized systems also offer better structural performance and insulation properties, making them ideal for the harsh climate of the UAE, with its extreme heat and frequent dust storms. Stick-built systems, on the other hand, are more commonly found in smaller and mid-sized projects, where flexibility in design and installation is required. These systems are constructed on-site, allowing for greater customization and adaptability to varying building shapes. However, stick-built systems generally involve longer construction timelines and higher labor costs. Semi-unitized systems are a hybrid solution, combining the advantages of both unitized and stick-built methods. In the UAE, semi-unitized systems are used in projects that require faster installation than traditional stick-built systems but at a lower cost compared to fully unitized systems. They provide a balance between quick assembly and design flexibility, making them ideal for a wide range of commercial and residential applications.

The material preferences for curtain wall systems in the UAE are driven by both environmental considerations and aesthetic preferences. Glass is the most commonly used material for curtain walls, due to its ability to provide transparency, natural light, and sleek, modern aesthetics. In the UAE’s scorching desert climate, the use of glass is often paired with advanced coatings and insulating layers, including Low-E glass and double-glazing technologies, to reduce heat gain and improve thermal performance. Glass curtain walls are highly sought after for high-rise buildings, as they allow for panoramic views, contribute to a futuristic skyline, and align with the country's luxurious design ethos. Metal is another widely used material in the UAE’s curtain wall market, particularly for the framing and cladding systems. Aluminum, due to its lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant properties, is the most common metal used in curtain wall construction. Aluminum frames offer structural integrity while remaining lightweight enough to accommodate the massive glass panels used in the UAE’s skyscrapers. Metal cladding is often used for both aesthetic purposes and to enhance the building’s performance in terms of insulation and protection against the harsh environment. Stone is also utilized in certain high-end or culturally significant projects, particularly in the form of stone cladding for the exterior of buildings. The use of stone imparts a sense of grandeur and permanence, often seen in landmark buildings or developments that seek to reflect traditional architectural elements while incorporating modern materials. Composite materials, including combinations of glass, metal, and stone, are becoming increasingly popular in the UAE’s curtain wall market due to their versatility, durability, and ability to achieve sophisticated design aesthetics. Composite systems are especially favored for their ease of installation and ability to provide both high-performance thermal and acoustic insulation, making them suitable for a wide range of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings in the region.



Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Curtain Walls Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Construction Type
• New Construction
• Refurbishment

By Walls System
• Unitized
• Stick-built
• Semi-Unitized

By Material
• Glass
• Metal
• Stone
• Composite

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.