The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology's (CWCT's) 'Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes' defines curtain walling as 'a predominantly vertical building envelope which supports no load other than its own weight and the environmental forces that act upon it.' Rainscreen cladding is a non-loadbearing external cladding assembly defined as 'a wall comprising an outer skin of panels and an airtight insulated backing wall separated by a ventilated cavity. Some water may penetrate the cavity but the rainscreen is intended to provide protection from direct rain.' The key distinction is that curtain walling is the whole envelope, while rainscreen cladding is the outer protective layer of the envelope.
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