How to distinguish curtain wall from cladding in construction market？

With the continuous development of technology, there are various kinds of building materials available for a choice in the construction market. As curtain wall buildings become very popular in the modern construction, it seems very important for people to have a good knowledge of the main differences between the cladding and a curtain wall.

What is Cladding?
Cladding is a coating applied to the outer walls of a house or building for many different purposes. When it comes to design, the cladding can add texture and patterns to a place, giving it a fresh look without having to change much in the place’s structure. In addition, cladding is also used to prevent wind and rain from coming inside the building, acting like insulation especially during winter times.
What is a Curtain Wall?
In general, curtain walls can be used non-structural frame for a building, and they don’t have to hold the building’s weight. In most cases, they’re framed in lightweight materials and designed to support only the weight of the glazed panels that seal the building. Like cladding, curtain wall has many functions: it adds to the aesthetics of the building, lets the light in and also protects the interior of the place from weather conditions.

What are the differences between them?
There are two main differences between cladding and curtain wall and one of them revolves around the aesthetic of the products. While you can choose from many materials for designing your curtain wall frames, the panels are always made out of glazed glass. This means you won’t see dramatic differences between two different types of glass curtain wall systems in the market. Specifically speaking, cladding has a large variety of styles that can make your place seem cosier, more rustic or posher. And cladding can be made in materials such as wood, stone tiles or aluminium, which can give different textures, patterns, and colours to the exterior walls of the building. The second difference that you can find between these two architectural options is about the structure of the building. While curtain wall is not part of the exterior wall and supports only itself, cladding is also a structural piece in the construction.

In the modern times, the building’s facade is primarily a glazed aluminum curtain wall system with the exception of some areas around the parking garage. Generally speaking, a well-crafted curtain wall design is regarded a matter of beauty. From aluminum-framed patterned materials to beautifully curved glass, curtain walls that envelop an entire building or only one side are non-load bearing and created to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible.