ABSTRACT
The aboriginal tents of North America and South Africa, for example, illustrate how cladding to withstand elemental conditions was achieved with primitive materials and tools. The arrival on the commercial scene in 1888 of aluminium led logically to the use of this lightweight metal for the cladding of buildings, which, coupled with the increasing availability of glass panes in larger sizes and bigger production quantities spurred the development of this new approach to cladding. In theory thin, lightweight, easily-hung aluminium wall cladding enables structural members to be reduced and floor-space to be increased. Curtain walling, which may be defined as a light cladding that covers and protects the sides of a building, requires to be fixed to the building structure. Aluminium faced infill panels are usually fitted with an insulation liner, sometimes fitted on site, but mostly forming part of the cladding specification offer to the curtain wall manufacturer.
