Windows vs Curtain Walls where do you draw the line?

[jwinklerQ3ZUJ]

Our company is modeling a lot of existing conditions these days for renovation projects.  Windows and Doors seem to be slowing us down in terms of workflow.  We are modeling large, and OLD institutional buildings which have many variations of custom window combinations.  It's often difficult to decide when to use the curtain wall tool to create groups of windows.  We have fairly robust curtain wall types and scheduleable operable windows that can be inserted.  I am starting to wonder if we should just use the curtain wall tool to create ALL existing windows.  Revit's curtain wall tool seems to offer flexibility in our situation.  Whereas with Window Families, we always seem to be missing a window family or 2 and then end up creating custom families on each job.  We are sometimes doing window replacement where the existing windows need to be modeled and documented accurately.  We have a very small budget for modeling existing conditions.   Does anyone see a downside to using the curtain wall tool exclusively for our existing windows?

[mhiserZFHXS]

My GENERAL rule of thumb is that if a window/door system only occurs once or maybe twice in a project, and I don't have a door or window family that already covers it, then I'll use a curtain system.

Some people swear by curtain systems. And they have a lot of uses beyond what they're really intended for. But sometimes they are just too much of a hassle to work with if you don't need to.

[jvpantin2]

It seems that you are answering yourself. There is no prefab rule for effectiveness, and in your case looks like the need for easy modelling makes curtain walls a valid option. If you were more precise on your goals, we can help you to clarify better this issue, but, as far I can see, with curtain walls you can solve in one shot all this matters: wall opening area (by embbeding), frame type and dimensions (by mullions), general window panel type and dimensions (by panels), specially if you are running low on budget for these tasks. Go ahead and try,

[ternovetchii_2002]

Using curtain wall windows for modeling existing conditions can definitely streamline the workflow, especially in large institutional buildings with unique window configurations. The flexibility of curtain walls allows for easy grid adjustments, insertion of operable panels, and modifications without constantly creating custom window families. However, there are potential drawbacks—annotations in drawings might require extra effort, model performance could be affected if too many curtain walls are used, and coordination with consultants may become more complex. If you already have a structured system for curtain wall types, it might be a more efficient solution than continuously developing custom families. The best approach is to test it on a small section to evaluate its effectiveness for your specific projects.

[arq_42]

I decide depending on whether I have to measure it by unit or by area.