Partition walls are an integral part of interior designs. It adds character to the whole space. With advancing technology and design, partition wall materials and partition wall types have expanded over the years. Incorporating these advancements has also contributed to adding versatility in the function of the partition walls.
Partition walls are basically of two categories, one that is capable of taking weight and providing support, known as the load-bearing partition wall. These walls are an essential part of the structural element and are connected from the roof to the foundation. These walls are designed perpendicular to the floor support and in multiple floor designs, placed one over the other on adjacent floors.
While the second category of partition floors is non-load bearing, which is not capable of taking weight. It mainly serves the purpose of bringing separation into space. These walls are not a part of the integral structure and are mostly incorporated to divide space.
These walls come in different modifiable forms today based on the partition wall material it is made of.
Let’s take a look at the 15 different types of partition walls available today in the market.
1. Room partition Design: Brick
Brick walls are made up of raw materials that are environmentally friendly as this partition wall material can be recycled and reused. Hard and durable in nature makes brick partition one of the most common choices for partition walls. Brick walls are in general load bearing and an integral part of the main construction. It connects the roof to the floor while separating the space. Often secured with cement or plastered on either side, brick partition walls can very well carry the load and add support to the structure. Brick walls are further divided into three types based on the additional materials used in the construction.
2. Clay Bricks of Hollow Designs; Room partition Design
Clay blocks of hollow design are used in partition wall types frequently for their features such as fire resistance, ease of construction, durability, and budget-friendliness. These bricks made of clay vary in thickness from 5 to 15 cm and come in a fixed dimension of 30x20cm. These provide decent heat and sound insulation and different texture based on the materials used adding aesthetic value to the design.
3. Reinforced Brick Partition Wall Designs; Room partition Design
The addition of wire mesh or iron bars at regular intervals after three to four courses results in reinforced brick partition wall type. This additional element adds greater strength to the partition wall design making it capable of bearing load. It usually has a thickness of 10 cm or half of the brick size. The construction of reinforced brick walls is of low technological advancement yet superior in strength. The thickness of wire mesh used for reinforcement falls between 25mm to 28mm and iron bars of 6mm in diameter.
4. Brick Nogging Partition Wall Design; Room partition Design
This design of partition wall is built with a wooden framework supporting the brick structure vertically and horizontally with studs and heads respectively. These additional wooden supports increase the strength and stability of the partition wall. In a brick nogging partition wall type, the studs are spaced 60cm to 150 cm apart and the heads are spaced at a distance of 60 cm to 90cm, with the bricks placed flat within this structure.
To add strength to the structure, the brickworks are usually plastered from both sides using cement in a 1:3 mortar portion. The point where the brick comes in contact with the wooden frame is secured with coal tar for stability and longevity.
5. Partition Wall Material: Glass
Glass partition wall designs are of two types, one where glass bricks are used and the other where glass sheets are used. In the case of glass bricks, these bricks can be manufactured in the desired dimension, and usually, the thickness comes up to 10cm. These bricks allow natural light to pass through and provide a decent level of sound and warmth proof.
A glass brick partition wall does allow a decent level of privacy while enhancing the aesthetics of the area. Easy to build and easy to clean and maintain, these choices of walls are also economical. While glass bricks are assembled using cement, glass sheets require a wooden framework for support. Metal straps are also incorporated into the construction to increase the strength of the partition wall design.
6. Room partition Design: Metal Lath
Metal lath partition walls are non-load-bearing partition walls. The partition wall material is carefully chosen according to the weather condition. In case of high humidity or continuous dampness stainless steel is used and for dry weather galvanized steel is used to build the wall. These walls are constructed by placing metal laths on vertical channels known as studs at a distance of 2 to 2.5 cm apart.
The structure is secured using plaster on either side. This helps the structure to insulate heat and sound to an extent. This option of partition walls is highly durable, less space-consuming, sturdy, and resistant to fire. Metal lath partition walls are common in both interior and exterior constructions.
7. Living Room Partition Design: Plaster Slab
This partition wall material is a hybrid of the burnt form of plaster of Paris or gypsum and wood. This unique combination results in bringing the sturdiness and strength of plaster of Paris but reducing the weight of the material with the addition of fibrous counterparts. The material is molded with the help of an iron or timber framework. These molded slabs usually come in a thickness between 5 cm to 10 cm and a length of 2 meters. While the surface is generally rough, it can be smoothed out. But maintaining the roughness adds texture and makes the plastering process more efficient and effective. An advantage of plaster slabs as partition walls is that the use of nails, screws, etc., is quite easy making it construction friendly. This partition wall material tends to become stronger over a period as it loses water content. This protects the wall from dents and cracks.
8. Living Room Partition Design: Wooden
The wooden interior adds more character and aesthetics to any space. Its construction is generally hassle-free and the result is lightweight. These are a bit high on the maintenance side and should be avoided in place of high humidity and dampness. The wall is constructed by placing wooden logs, which are further plastered to the sidewall and tied down to the floor. Wooden walls do not provide sound and warmth proof. Since wood is a natural material it is more prone to Roden and insects attack even fungal growth reducing its durability. Wooden partition walls are non-load-bearing walls.
9. Living Room Partition Design: Galvanized Sheets or Asbestos Sheets
Galvanized sheets and asbestos sheets provide lightweight partition walls designed to provide optimum stability and strength. When constructed properly with good quality raw materials these partition walls can be durable and sturdy. The materials used are also budget-friendly.
These sheets are fixed to each other with the help of motor cement. The whole structure is supported by a metal or wooden framework. Galvanized sheets and asbestos sheet partition walls provide fair fire protection. They are generally constructed in a temporary nature but can be used in the long run also.
10. Living Room Partition Design: Timber
Timber partition walls are constructed using a timber framework. These are non-load-bearing partition walls that require additional support from the foundational structure. Here timber units are arranged in a tight inflexible manner, where the sides are secured using plaster coating. This partition wall provides great scope for customization as per requirement. It also adds to the aesthetic value with its minimal style of structure. It does not provide fire resistance and is often under the threat of insect attack.
11. Living Room Partition Design: Concrete
Concrete partition walls are heavy-weight slabs that are of 10 cm thickness. It has steel bars in them that provide strength, stability, and sturdiness. Concrete slabs are usually pre-constructed as per the requirement and brought to the site, or constructed on the site known as in situ construction with a material ratio of 1:2:4. These are general monolithic slabs with both vertical and horizontal support.
These partition walls can be constructed either in a plain manner or using the reinforcement technique for additional strength. The concrete partition wall, though long-lasting, construction cost is higher when compared to the other options. Concrete partition walls do provide fire resistance.
12. Living Room Partition Design: Wooden Wool
The wooden wool martial wall is made of a mixture of wooden fibers of length, overlaid with an adhesive material such as cement or plastic. The adhesive gives strength and holds the wood fibers together. This structure generally has rough ends. This is a great advantage as it holds the plaster well adding more strength to the structure.
13. Partition Wall Material: Straw Board
Straw board partition walls are constructed using compressed papers or hardboard covered by thick layers of straws. This type of partition wall is highly used as a movable partition wall as it is easy to construct. It provides good insulation against sound and heat.
14. Double-Glazed Windows
The double-glazed window partition wall is constructed using two panels placed at a distance of 5cm or more to trap air between the panels. This structure provides high-quality soundproofing as the air is trapped between the panels.
15. Hollow Glass Block Partition Wall
Hollow glass blocks are accurate, lightweight glass components that come in a variety of thicknesses, forms, and sizes. The most often used hollow glass blocks are 14×14 cm or 19×19 cm in size, with a 10 cm thickness.
To aid in the appropriate connecting of mortar and glass block, the jointing edges are painted on the inside and distantly sanded. The front and back are either decorated or left unmodified.
Glass blocks are set in a mixture of cement, lime, and fine sand in a ratio of 1:1:4. For block heights up to 15, metal strip reinforcement is inserted every third or fourth course. If the blocks’ height is greater than 25 cm, support is added at each course.
Another type of hollow glass block partition wall has end grooves and joggles.
Conclusion:
Partition walls are a great choice to create separation and privacy within a space. With the wide variety of materials available in the market, you have plenty of options that fit right for your budget and requirement. The use of good quality raw materials and proper post-construction care will help you maintain the partition walls better.
Partition Wall Types FAQs :
1. What is the utility of a partition wall ?
A partition wall, made of sturdy materials like brick, glass, and metal sheets is used to create a separation of space. It can either carry the load and provide support or not carry any load and require additional support, based on the material and nature of construction.
2. What are the types of partition walls ?
Partition walls can be classified into two based on their load-bearing capacity.
3. What is the thickness of a partition wall ?
The thickness of a partition wall depends on the material used for the construction. Glass walls are made of 10 cm thickness whereas other materials vary from 5cm to 15cm in thickness such as concrete, brick, and plaster slab.
4. What is the major difference between a partition and a wall?
A partition is a vertical structure used to create separation of space. It does not provide structural support to the main structure. Whereas a wall is an integral part of the main structure bearing the load of the roof and providing support to the construction.
5. Which wood is used for partitioning?
The most common forms of wood partition utilized nowadays are vertical louvers, paneling, or designs. Additionally, the materials range from engineered wood, such as plywood, to composite materials, such as MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard), which are less expensive than solid wood partitions.
