cladding
n.n. a layer of material added to the outside of a building to protect it or make it look better. It is often made of metal, plastic, or stone.
n. a layer of material applied to the exterior surface of a structure to provide protection, insulation, or aesthetic appeal. Often used in architectural and construction contexts to describe non-structural outer layers.
The old brick building was covered in new metal cladding.
The architect chose lightweight aluminum cladding to reduce the overall weight of the skyscraper while maintaining a modern look.
While traditional stone cladding provides excellent thermal mass, modern composite materials offer superior fire resistance and require significantly less maintenance over the lifespan of the building.
From clad + -ing. Compare clothing, ultimately from the same source.