Maddison

What is Wall?

A wall is a structure that defines an area and provides shelter and safety. Below are some examples of wall types used in building construction.

Purpose of Wall

Walls are used to support roofs, floors, and ceilings in buildings; to enclose spaces as part of the building's envelope with a roof to give buildings shape; and to provide shelter or security. The wall can also house different types of utilities, such as plumbing or electrical wiring.

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Different types of walls

Load bearing walls

A structural element is the load bearing wall. It supports the house's weight from the roof to the upper floors and all the way down to the foundation. It supports structural members such as beams (sturdy metal or wood pieces), slabs, and walls on the upper floors. Load bearing walls are those that are built directly above the beam.

It is designed to support the vertical load. A wall that doesn't have walls, posts, or any other support directly above it is likely to be a load-bearing one. Also, load bearing walls are heavier than other walls. These walls are usually placed on top of each other on each floor.

Interior or exterior walls can use load bearing walls. This wall is often perpendicular or parallel to the floor joists and ridge. Concrete is a great material for supporting these loads. Concrete foundation is where the beams are installed. The house's load bearing walls tend to follow the same direction as that of the ridge.

Non-Load Bearing Walls

Non-load bearing walls are walls that don't support the structure and hold it up by themselves. It can't support floor roof loads higher than it. It is a frame structure. They are usually interior walls that serve to divide the structure into rooms.

They are lighter. You can take down any walls that are not load bearing without putting the safety of your building at risk. The joists or rafters can identify non-load bearing walls. They do not provide gravitational support for the property. It is economical. This wall is also known as a "curtain wall".

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Cavity Walls

Two separate wythes make up the cavity wall. Both wythes can be made from masonry. These walls are also known as external leaf and internal leaf. This wall is also called a hollow wall. They lower the foundation's weight. They are as effective as sound insulation. Cavity walls are more thermally efficient than solid walls because they contain air, which reduces heat transmission. Cavity walls have a 50 percent higher heat flow rate than a solid wall. It is more economical than solid walls. It is resistant to fire. Cavity wall protects against noise.

Shear Walls

It is a wall framed. It resists lateral forces. The lateral force is generated by exterior walls, floors, roofs, and ground foundation. It is crucial to use the shear wall, especially for large buildings. It is usually made from concrete or masonry. It is strong enough to withstand earthquakes. It is stiff in its direction. Shear walls are simple to construct and implement. To reduce twisting, it is placed symmetrically. Stability is not an issue with the shear wall.

Partition Walls

It is used to separate spaces from buildings. It can be made from stone or brick and is solid. It is a frame construction. The partition wall is attached to the ceiling, floor, and walls. It can support its own weight. It is resistant to impact. It can support wall fixtures and is strong and stable. It acts as a sound barrier, and is fire-resistant.

Panel Walls

It's a wall that is not bearing between columns or pillars. Both adhesive and nails are used to attach the panel. There are many options for paneling designs: rustic, board, or frame. You can choose from inexpensive pine or hardwoods for your paneling. Before installing panel walls, it is important to paint the area.

Veneered Walls

We are supporting the material with a veneered wall. It can be made from brick or stone. Brick is the most well-known veneered wall. It is just one wythe thick. When insulation was required in interior walls, it became the norm. It is lightweight. It takes less time to construct veneered walls.

Faced Walls

This wall is made up of masonry backing and facing that are so tightly bonded they can exert common action under load. This gives it a sleek appearance. It is simple to put up.

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