Revit Tip: Curtain Wall Corner Best Practices

Today’s tip: master curtain wall corner conditions for clean geometry, coordinated documentation, and constructible details.

Every corner in a curtain wall should be an intentional decision. Pick the right strategy first, then implement it consistently across the model.

• Choose the right corner strategy:
  • Mitered glass-to-glass: minimal hardware, clean aesthetic; requires precise grid alignment.
  • Butt joint with captured mullions: straightforward and forgiving for field tolerances.
  • Dedicated corner mullion (L, V, Quad): robust, repeatable, easier to document and schedule.
  • Custom corner panel: use when you need unique build-ups (shadow boxes, deep returns, complex seals).
• Use the right tool for placement:
  • Place a corner mullion with Add/Remove Corner Mullion and pick L, V, or Quad types.
  • For glass-to-glass, remove end mullions and ensure both panels are the intended system panel.
  • For bespoke corners, swap a panel for a custom family that embeds gaskets, bites, and offsets.
• Align grids across the corner:
  • Use Align to match gridlines on both walls; lock only when the layout is confirmed.
  • Keep grid module consistent across façades to avoid slivers at the corner.
  • Pin critical grids and mullions once coordinated to prevent accidental shifts.
• Control orientation and offsets:
  • Set mullion justification (exterior/center/interior) to keep faces flush at the corner.
  • Adjust offsets to align sightlines and maintain glass-to-glass reveal or sealant width.
  • If a corner mullion flips the wrong way, use the flip control or duplicate a type with corrected justification.
• Manage wall joins and independence:
  • Use Disallow Join at an end when you want independent control of grids and borders.
  • Join ends when you want automatic cleanup; verify that the corner graphics and cut patterns remain correct in plan/section.
• Document and schedule:
  • Create a Mullions schedule filtered to Corner Mullions; add a project parameter like CornerCondition for QA/QC.
  • Use dedicated details for each corner type—mitered glass, L/V/Quad, and custom panel—to standardize notes and tags.
• QA checks:
  • Review corners in a section-boxed 3D view at Fine detail level.
  • Use Thin Lines and Reveal Hidden Elements to spot stray mullions or misaligned grids.
  • Run an Interference Check to catch overlapping mullions and panels.
• Performance and maintainability:
  • Limit unique types—standardize on a short list of corner solutions.
  • Avoid over-nesting custom corner content; keep families light and parameter driven.

Pro tip: Revit’s built-in corner mullion families cover most cases, but when aesthetics or buildability demand more, replace the corner panel with a custom family that controls glass bite, sealant, and backup metal—then lock grid alignment to keep it stable.

Need licenses, upgrades, or expert guidance? Explore Autodesk Revit solutions from NOVEDGE and compare options on their Revit collection page at NOVEDGE | Revit.

You can find all the Revit products on the NOVEDGE web site at this page.