Britannica AI Icon

non-load-bearing wall

construction

Quick Summary

A nonbearing wall, also known as a curtain wall, is a type of wall used in construction that does not support the weight of the building's structure, such as floors or roofs. Instead, these loads are carried by other structural elements like beams or frames.12

Nonbearing walls primarily serve as a shelter or screen, enclosing a space without bearing structural loads. This design freedom allows for a wide variety of materials to be used, including glass, plastic, metal alloys, and wood, as they are not limited by structural requirements. They are commonly found in modern buildings with steel or reinforced concrete frames.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. wall
  2. architecture - Nonbearing wall

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.