Cladding Vs Curtain Wall: How Are They Different? | CCC

If you are thinking of applying exterior cladding to your building, you may hear terms such as cladding and curtain walls. While they both play the same role, there are some significant differences when it comes to how they are installed and how they function. In this article, we are going to look at cladding vs. curtain walls, how they differ from each other and why it is essential to have external cladding.

What Is Cladding?

Cladding refers to any material that is applied over another in order to serve a variety of functions. When it comes to wall cladding, this material helps to improve the aesthetics of your building while at the same time protecting it from the elements. Cladding can be made from many different materials and often, the choice of which material to for depends on budgetary considerations, the look that you are going for and other factors such as thermal insulation.

Why would a homeowner consider installing cladding panels to their homes? Here are some key reasons to consider exterior cladding.

Energy Efficiency

A big reason why people turn to external cladding is to improve the thermal insulation of their homes. Special cladding material can prevent the transfer of heat between the outside of the building and the interior. What this means is that the building stays cool during hot summer days as external heat does not get into the house. Conversely, the building remains warm during the old days as the cladding prevents heat from escaping. This gives the homeowner significant saving on their energy use and thus lowers household bills.

Fire Protection

Cladding material can also help a homeowner keep their home safe from fire. You can have fire-resistant cladding installed, which will slow down or even prevent the spread of a fire. This gives the occupants a lot more time to get away and also enough time for firefighters to put out the fire before it causes too much damage. Having this type of cladding can also lead to lower fire insurance premiums.

Good Aesthetics

Cladding not only help your home become more energy efficient but also improves the looks of the house. Cladding comes in many sizes and colors and this allows you to easily customize the looks of your house. Cladding can therefore improve the curb appeal of your home, helping you increase the value of the property.

Curtain Wall

Having looked at cladding, let us look at a particular type of cladding known as curtain wall. The term is generally used t refer to aluminum frames systems which can either be glass or other kinds of building materials. They are typically installed in offices and commercial buildings. Curtain walls are especially good when you want a modern, futuristic look for your building. Given the fact that the panels can be made of glass with aluminum frames, they are good for property owners who want to maximize on natural light in their buildings. Curtain walls are easy to install also help to protect the building structure from damage from the weather and other elements.