A building envelope refers to the physical separation between the interior and exterior environments of a building, including the walls, roof, foundation, windows and doors. It is essentially the outer shell of the building that helps to protect it from the elements.
A building envelope system, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive approach to designing and constructing the building envelope. It includes all of the components and materials used to create the envelope, as well as their integration and installation. This may include insulation, vapor barriers, air barriers, flashing, sealants, and other components that work together to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
So, while a building envelope is the physical structure of the building that separates the inside from the outside, a building envelope system is a more holistic approach that takes into account all of the various materials and components required to create a high-performance, energy-efficient building envelope.
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