A curtain wall is a non-structural, outer covering of a building that is designed to keep out water, wind, and sun, while allowing light to pass through. It is made of lightweight material such as glass, metal panels, or stone, and is attached to the exterior frames of the building using anchors or fasteners. A curtain wall has no load-bearing capacity, and its primary function is to protect the building from environmental forces.
On the other hand, a structural wall is designed to bear the load of the building, including its own weight as well as external forces such as wind and seismic loads. It is typically made of solid masonry or concrete and is integral to the structural integrity of the building. Structural walls are load-bearing, meaning they transfer the weight of the building down to the foundation. They are also designed to resist lateral forces, such as those caused by wind, earthquakes, or soil pressure. Unlike curtain walls, structural walls cannot be removed or altered without significant structural modification to the building.
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