The exterior covering or skin of a building that provides weather protection, insulation, and aesthetic finish while typically not supporting structural loads. Cladding systems can range from traditional materials like brick and wood to modern composites and metal panels.
From 'clad,' the past participle of 'clothe,' meaning to cover or dress. In construction, the term evolved from the concept of 'clothing' a building structure with protective and decorative materials, gaining prominence with the development of curtain wall systems.
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