Partition walls are basically vertical dividers used to separate the internal spaces of buildings into rooms or circulation rooms like corridors. There are a number of partition walls like concrete partition walls, metal lath partition walls, etc. Here are the details of what you need to know about the different types of partition walls.
Brick Partition Wall
There are three types of partition walls made of brick. Here are its details.
Plain Brick Partition Wall
As the name suggests, plain brick partition walls are made of cost-effective plain bricks that are laid as stretchers. Cement mortar is used to bind them.it is of 10 cm thickness with a height of 2 m (max). The wall is plastered on both of its sides and it will be fire-resistant as well.
Reinforced Brick Partition Wall
Reinforcements are iron bare or mesh wire strips that are placed at every 3rd or 4th course which makes these walls stronger than plain brick partition walls. The strip wires ranging from 25 to 28 mm with a thickness of 1.6 mm. The diameter of the steel bars used in these walls is 6 mm. These walls are used when a longitudinal bond is needed and when it needs to support other imposed loads.
Brick Nogging Partition Wall
This wall consists of a timber framework in which the bricks are laid flat or on edge with a cement mortar proportion of 1:3. The framework consists of studs (vertical posts) placed vertically at 60 to 150 cm apart and nogging (horizontal members) placed 60 to 90 cm apart horizontally. For a 10 cm thick partition wall, nogging and studs are 15 cm wide. The contact points of brick and timber are coated with coal tar.
Clay Brick Partition Wall
These walls are made of terracotta or clay so these blocks may be hollow. Its size differs with respect to the texture of the material. Its thickness varies between 6 to 15 cm. These walls have blocks in mortar and grooves are made on its top, sides, and bottom. It helps in creating a strong bond between the plaster and block.
Glass Partition Wall
These types of walls are easy to construct, lightweight, and cheap. They are made of either hollow glass or glass sheets. Here are the details.
Glass Sheet Partition Wall
Glass sheet partition walls are made by attaching sheets of glass to a wooden (timber) framework using timber beadings or putty. This framework is a number of vertical and horizontal posts dividing the entire area into panels that might be square or rectangular. These walls are,
- Soundproof
- Damp-proof
- Vermin proof
- Lightweight
- Hollow Glass Block Partition Wall
Hollow glass indicates translucent glass units that are usually 19 ✕ 19 cm or 14 ✕ 14 cm with the usual thickness of 10 cm. Edges of joining are sanded externally and painted internally to create a strong bond between the glass block and mortar. The ratio of cement: lime mortar: fine sand: lime mortar: cement = 4:1:1. There are metal strip reinforcements at every 3rd or 4th course up to a height of 15cm.
Concrete Partition Wall
Concrete partition walls can be of two types.
Cast-in-situ Concrete Partition Wall
The thickness of these types of partition walls ranges from 80 to 100 mm. The concrete is poured monolithically between the intermediate columns. The reinforcement is made by BRC fabric or mild steel bars and the concrete mix is usually 1:2:4.
Precast Concrete Slab Partition Wall
The thickness of the precast unit in which the concrete is precast ranges from 25 to 40 mm and is secured to precast posts. The joints are filled with mortar and the concrete mix is in the ratio of 1:2:4.
Plaster Slab Partition Wall
These types of partition walls were made of plasterboards or plaster slabs made from plaster of Paris or burnt gypsum that is mixed with fibrous material like sawdust so that its weight is reduced. Plaster slab units are prepared in timber or iron mold that is 1m to 2m long, 50mm to 100mm thick, and 30cm high. Grooves are made in them to create rigid joints.
Metal Lath Partition Wall
Metal lath partition walls are considerably fire-resistant, durable, or thin and are constructed by 2.5 cm or 2 cm channels placed vertically with metal lath fixed on its sides. Both the sides of the metal are applied with plaster. These make solid metal lath partition walls. If you need hollow partition walls, you need to fix metal lath to the channels on both sides of the metal before applying the plaster on them.
A.C. Sheet or G.I. Sheet Partition Wall
These types of partition walls are constructed from galvanized sheet or cement sheeting fixed to steel or wooden frame. These walls have slabs with corrugated or core asbestos cement sheets that have plain asbestos cement attached to them. These slabs make these walls fire-resistant, heat-resistant, and sound insulation.
Wood-wool Partition Wall
Wood wool consists of tangled wood fibers that are bound together with plaster or cement. These walls are good sound and heat insulators. There is an open surface that provides an excellent key for plastering.
Timber Partition Wall
These types of partition walls have a wooden framework that is supported by the sidewalls or on the floor below. The timber members may be covered with the boring or plastered from both sides. These partitions are not fire-resistant and are vulnerable to decay and white ants.
The Bottom Line
Partition walls usually have timber frameworks but it is going out of fashion these days because of its vulnerability to catching fire, white ants, and decay. The right partition wall is important so that your rooms serve their purpose. Hope our list made you familiar with all the different types of partition walls.
FAQs
What is a partition in a wall?
Partition walls are non-load bearing walls in buildings that separate spaces. Apart from this spatial division, they can also provide:
Privacy
Acoustic separation
Fire separation
Layout flexibility
What is the thickness of a partition wall?
The usual thickness of the partition wall is from 6 to 15 cm.
What is the thinnest partition wall?
The thinnest partition wall is of the timber frame of 1.5 ✕ 2.5 framing with a 12 mm plasterboard. However, these walls generally need noise reduction measures as these walls conduct sound.
