NASCLA Accredited Practice Exam

In curtain wall construction, a key characteristic is that the system is designed to be non-structural, primarily serving as a façade to protect the building from the elements while providing aesthetic value. The elements typically included in this type of construction are an exterior finish, which can range from glass to metal panels, and an insulating layer that helps with energy efficiency, maintaining interior comfort.

The interior liner is often part of the overall assembly, providing a finished interior appearance as well as some thermal performance. However, a concrete core is not typically a part of curtain wall construction. Curtain walls rely on the structural frame of the building to support loads, rather than incorporating a concrete core, which is more associated with structural systems or elements that bear loads, such as in traditional building designs.

Thus, the absence of a concrete core in curtain wall systems distinguishes it from other construction types where the core is integral to the structural integrity of the building.