Cladding and curtain walling are simply ways of protecting and boosting the appearance of a building’s exterior. There are many similarities between the two, but there are also a few differences. To help you decide on the best material for your building, here are some of the main characteristics of cladding and curtain walling.
What is Cladding?
Cladding is the application of one type of material over another to provide a layer of protection. Cladding a building involves attaching a protective material directly onto the existing building’s exterior to serve as protection against harsh weather conditions and moisture. It can also help to improve thermal and sound insulation. Cladding can be made from any type of construction material, including wood, metal, brick, vinyl, and aluminum. These kinds of materials provide a safeguard from elements like wind, rain, extreme sunlight, heat, and cold. One of the main benefits of cladding is the variety of different materials that can be used.
What is Curtain Wall?
Curtain wall is most frequently seen on office buildings, hotels, sports arenas, and certain residential properties, like condos or luxurious homes. Curtain wall systems got their name from how their components hang (like a curtain). Essentially, curtain wall are aluminum framed systems that are set with recurring units of glass and panels. When a building is covered in glass curtain wall, it is usually made out of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Similar to cladding, curtain wall protects a building’s exterior, but instead of being attached to the building, it does not put much additional load on the building’s structure. Because of this, curtain walling is considered to be the safer option.
The Differences Between Cladding and Curtain Wall
Unlike cladding, curtain wall does not have the variety of finishes available. However, the aluminum frames on the curtain wall create a sleek appearance which is popular with many commercial and high-rise buildings.
Curtain wall is more durable than cladding, providing better protection against the outside elements. Yet, cladding is easier to install and also requires less maintenance and cleaning.
Choosing between the two materials may come down to what kind of property you have. Overall, curtain walling is the better choice for larger buildings while cladding may be a better choice for increasing the protection of a single-family residential property.
Give Above All Store Fronts a call at (631) 627-3535 and we can help you choose the best material for your property.