Difference between revisions of "Wall Materials"
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(→Strawboard: falll through) |
(more + less popular headings. Lime. etc) |
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There are many alternatives to bricks & cement for walls. Each one has its own set of properties. | There are many alternatives to bricks & cement for walls. Each one has its own set of properties. | ||
− | + | ==More popular wall types== | |
===Concrete Blocks=== | ===Concrete Blocks=== | ||
* Dense blocks | * Dense blocks | ||
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* Decorative blocks | * Decorative blocks | ||
* [[Making Concrete Blocks]] | * [[Making Concrete Blocks]] | ||
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===Reconstituted Stone Blocks=== | ===Reconstituted Stone Blocks=== | ||
* Stone dust, cement & pigment. | * Stone dust, cement & pigment. | ||
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===[[Partition Wall|Stud walls]]=== | ===[[Partition Wall|Stud walls]]=== | ||
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** Fibreboard & [[Sheet Materials|hardboard]] occasionally found, but not recommended | ** Fibreboard & [[Sheet Materials|hardboard]] occasionally found, but not recommended | ||
+ | ===Lime=== | ||
+ | * [[Mortar Mixes|Lime & sand mortar]] with various building blocks | ||
+ | * standard mortar on historic buildings | ||
+ | * Sometimes used on new builds | ||
+ | * white appearance | ||
+ | * lower embodied energy than cement | ||
+ | * disposed of lime mortar becomes a normal part of the soil (chalk), thus eliminating the waste issue of cement mortars | ||
+ | * lower compressive strength makes it unsuitable for high rise buildings | ||
+ | * Non-hydraulic lime is very slow setting, and can be stored unset indefinitely if air is excluded | ||
+ | * Hydraulic lime is quick to set | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Gabions=== | ||
+ | * Steel mesh cage | ||
+ | * Filled with stone | ||
+ | * Useful for retaining walls | ||
+ | * Widely used to retain river banks | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Stone=== | ||
+ | * Types of stone wall: | ||
+ | ** Sawn (smooth faced blocks) | ||
+ | ** Hammer dressed (rough faced blocks) | ||
+ | ** Rubble walls (meaning random sized uncut stone rather than the modern usage of the word) | ||
+ | ** Dry stone walling (no mortar used) | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Poured concrete=== | ||
+ | * Poured into wooden forms in situ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Glass brick=== | ||
+ | * Transmits light | ||
+ | * Poor [[Insulation]] | ||
+ | * [[Mortar Mixes|White cement mortar]] usually used for joints | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Strawboard=== | ||
+ | * A one piece sandwich of plaster, card, straw, card, plaster | ||
+ | * Low cost | ||
+ | * Good sound insulation | ||
+ | * Very poor strength, which can make fixing things to the wall problematic | ||
+ | * Poor strength makes it possible to fall through one of these walls | ||
+ | * Used between bedrooms in some cut price modern builds | ||
+ | * Brand name [http://www.stramit-int.com/ Stramit] | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Less popular wall types== | ||
===Dry Block Walls=== | ===Dry Block Walls=== | ||
* [[Making Concrete Blocks|Concrete blocks]] are stacked with no [[Mortar Mixes|mortar]] | * [[Making Concrete Blocks|Concrete blocks]] are stacked with no [[Mortar Mixes|mortar]] | ||
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* Clay suboil, sand, straw or dung etc | * Clay suboil, sand, straw or dung etc | ||
* Blocks | * Blocks | ||
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===Cob=== | ===Cob=== | ||
* Subsoil, sand, straw, lime | * Subsoil, sand, straw, lime | ||
* Continuous construction, no blocks involved. | * Continuous construction, no blocks involved. | ||
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===Cast Earth=== | ===Cast Earth=== | ||
* Subsoil & gypsum | * Subsoil & gypsum | ||
* [http://www.castearth.com/ More info] | * [http://www.castearth.com/ More info] | ||
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===Sprayed Concrete=== | ===Sprayed Concrete=== | ||
* Concrete is sprayed onto a form | * Concrete is sprayed onto a form | ||
* When the equipment is available this is a very fast construction method, typically used for emergency housing after natural disasters. | * When the equipment is available this is a very fast construction method, typically used for emergency housing after natural disasters. | ||
+ | * Curvy artistic shapes are readily achieved with sprayed concrete | ||
===[[Papercrete]]=== | ===[[Papercrete]]=== | ||
− | * Mixture of paper, cement, sand, subsoil, | + | * Mixture of paper, cement, sand, subsoil, plus assorted optional additives |
* [[Papercrete]] blocks stacked with papercrete mortar and papercrete render | * [[Papercrete]] blocks stacked with papercrete mortar and papercrete render | ||
* Lath rendered with papercrete is another way to build papercrete walls | * Lath rendered with papercrete is another way to build papercrete walls | ||
− | * Many mix variations, some giving high insulation, high strength, or waterproofness. | + | * Many mix variations, some giving high [[insulation]], high strength, or waterproofness. |
* A wide range of waste materials can be incorporated into [[Papercrete|papercrete]]. | * A wide range of waste materials can be incorporated into [[Papercrete|papercrete]]. | ||
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===Earthcrete=== | ===Earthcrete=== | ||
* Subsoil & cement | * Subsoil & cement | ||
* Good for paths | * Good for paths | ||
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===Superadobe=== | ===Superadobe=== | ||
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* Barbed wire included in wall joints for earthquake resistance. | * Barbed wire included in wall joints for earthquake resistance. | ||
* http://www.calearth.org/ | * http://www.calearth.org/ | ||
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===Rammed Earth=== | ===Rammed Earth=== | ||
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* A stabiliser is also needed in our wet climate, such as cement, lime or animal blood. | * A stabiliser is also needed in our wet climate, such as cement, lime or animal blood. | ||
* Continous build, no blocks | * Continous build, no blocks | ||
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===Roman concrete=== | ===Roman concrete=== | ||
* Lime, pozzolan, sand & stone. | * Lime, pozzolan, sand & stone. | ||
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===Sod=== | ===Sod=== | ||
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* The plant fibres stabilise & reinforce the soil | * The plant fibres stabilise & reinforce the soil | ||
* Rendered, often with mud plaster. | * Rendered, often with mud plaster. | ||
− | * A | + | * A low material cost walling option if enough grassed ground is available |
* Earth constructions require large roof overhang to keep them sufficiently dry | * Earth constructions require large roof overhang to keep them sufficiently dry | ||
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* Very low cost | * Very low cost | ||
* Very fast construction method | * Very fast construction method | ||
− | * High thermal insulation | + | * High thermal [[insulation]] |
* Excellent sound absorption. | * Excellent sound absorption. | ||
* Leaks must be repaired immediately to avoid [[Wood Rot|rot]] | * Leaks must be repaired immediately to avoid [[Wood Rot|rot]] | ||
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* Makes very thick walls | * Makes very thick walls | ||
* Render & plaster cover prevents combustion | * Render & plaster cover prevents combustion | ||
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===Rice hull bag walls=== | ===Rice hull bag walls=== | ||
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* Space filled with polypropylene bags of rice husks | * Space filled with polypropylene bags of rice husks | ||
* Barbed wire included in courses | * Barbed wire included in courses | ||
− | * Good [[ | + | * Good [[insulation]] |
* Quick construction | * Quick construction | ||
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===Mudbrick=== | ===Mudbrick=== | ||
* Unfired clay bricks | * Unfired clay bricks | ||
* Short life expectancy, around 30 years | * Short life expectancy, around 30 years | ||
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===Earthship=== | ===Earthship=== | ||
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* Bulky | * Bulky | ||
* Flammable | * Flammable | ||
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===Drinks can walls=== | ===Drinks can walls=== | ||
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* Drink cans are stacked with wet [[Mortar Mixes|concrete]] between them, forming a [[Mortar Mixes|concrete]] lattice wall | * Drink cans are stacked with wet [[Mortar Mixes|concrete]] between them, forming a [[Mortar Mixes|concrete]] lattice wall | ||
* Wall is plastered, the plaster attaches to the ring pulls | * Wall is plastered, the plaster attaches to the ring pulls | ||
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===Hollow Ceramic Blocks=== | ===Hollow Ceramic Blocks=== | ||
* Lightweight lattice-like fired clay blocks are stacked | * Lightweight lattice-like fired clay blocks are stacked | ||
* Wall then rendered | * Wall then rendered | ||
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===Ceramic Pots=== | ===Ceramic Pots=== | ||
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* Wall then rendered | * Wall then rendered | ||
* Popular in Spain | * Popular in Spain | ||
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===Half Timbered=== | ===Half Timbered=== | ||
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* Mud plaster infill | * Mud plaster infill | ||
* Historic construction method for external walls | * Historic construction method for external walls | ||
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===Wattle & Daub=== | ===Wattle & Daub=== | ||
− | * Timber stud framework | + | * Timber stud [[Partition Wall|framework]] |
* Woven twig fencing panels (wattle) | * Woven twig fencing panels (wattle) | ||
* Plastered with mud plaster (daub) | * Plastered with mud plaster (daub) | ||
* Historic construction method for internal & external walls | * Historic construction method for internal & external walls | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== |
Revision as of 15:57, 5 March 2008
There are many alternatives to bricks & cement for walls. Each one has its own set of properties.
More popular wall types
Concrete Blocks
- Dense blocks
- Aerated blocks (breeze blocks)
- Hollow blocks
- Patterned blocks
- Decorative blocks
- Making Concrete Blocks
Reconstituted Stone Blocks
- Stone dust, cement & pigment.
Stud walls
- Wood or steel frame, plus
- Walling sheets, any of:
- Plasterboard (the usual choice)
- Lath & Plaster
- Clayboard
- Fibre cement sheet
- Fibreboard & hardboard occasionally found, but not recommended
Lime
- Lime & sand mortar with various building blocks
- standard mortar on historic buildings
- Sometimes used on new builds
- white appearance
- lower embodied energy than cement
- disposed of lime mortar becomes a normal part of the soil (chalk), thus eliminating the waste issue of cement mortars
- lower compressive strength makes it unsuitable for high rise buildings
- Non-hydraulic lime is very slow setting, and can be stored unset indefinitely if air is excluded
- Hydraulic lime is quick to set
Gabions
- Steel mesh cage
- Filled with stone
- Useful for retaining walls
- Widely used to retain river banks
Stone
- Types of stone wall:
- Sawn (smooth faced blocks)
- Hammer dressed (rough faced blocks)
- Rubble walls (meaning random sized uncut stone rather than the modern usage of the word)
- Dry stone walling (no mortar used)
Poured concrete
- Poured into wooden forms in situ
Glass brick
- Transmits light
- Poor Insulation
- White cement mortar usually used for joints
Strawboard
- A one piece sandwich of plaster, card, straw, card, plaster
- Low cost
- Good sound insulation
- Very poor strength, which can make fixing things to the wall problematic
- Poor strength makes it possible to fall through one of these walls
- Used between bedrooms in some cut price modern builds
- Brand name Stramit
Less popular wall types
Dry Block Walls
- Concrete blocks are stacked with no mortar
- Wall is then covered with glass fibre reinforced render
- The render is a structural element
- Quicker & weaker than a mortar laid block wall
Adobe
- Clay suboil, sand, straw or dung etc
- Blocks
Cob
- Subsoil, sand, straw, lime
- Continuous construction, no blocks involved.
Cast Earth
- Subsoil & gypsum
- More info
Sprayed Concrete
- Concrete is sprayed onto a form
- When the equipment is available this is a very fast construction method, typically used for emergency housing after natural disasters.
- Curvy artistic shapes are readily achieved with sprayed concrete
Papercrete
- Mixture of paper, cement, sand, subsoil, plus assorted optional additives
- Papercrete blocks stacked with papercrete mortar and papercrete render
- Lath rendered with papercrete is another way to build papercrete walls
- Many mix variations, some giving high insulation, high strength, or waterproofness.
- A wide range of waste materials can be incorporated into papercrete.
Earthcrete
- Subsoil & cement
- Good for paths
Superadobe
- Bags filled with stabilised earth used as building blocks
- Barbed wire included in wall joints for earthquake resistance.
- http://www.calearth.org/
Rammed Earth
- Aka pise de terre
- Earth, sand, gravel, clay
- A stabiliser is also needed in our wet climate, such as cement, lime or animal blood.
- Continous build, no blocks
Roman concrete
- Lime, pozzolan, sand & stone.
Sod
- Turf strips are stacked.
- Contains topsoil, grass and roots.
- The plant fibres stabilise & reinforce the soil
- Rendered, often with mud plaster.
- A low material cost walling option if enough grassed ground is available
- Earth constructions require large roof overhang to keep them sufficiently dry
Straw Bale
- Bales are stacked & the wall plastered
- Bales may be load bearing, or a separate wood frame can be used with bale infill.
- Very low cost
- Very fast construction method
- High thermal insulation
- Excellent sound absorption.
- Leaks must be repaired immediately to avoid rot
- Can be built by children
- Makes very thick walls
- Render & plaster cover prevents combustion
Rice hull bag walls
- Steel mesh forms each side of the wall
- Space filled with polypropylene bags of rice husks
- Barbed wire included in courses
- Good insulation
- Quick construction
Mudbrick
- Unfired clay bricks
- Short life expectancy, around 30 years
Earthship
- Stacked tyres filled with rammed earth
- No material cost
- Rather ugly in most people's view
- Bulky
- Flammable
Drinks can walls
- Interior non loadbearing wall
- Drink cans are stacked with wet concrete between them, forming a concrete lattice wall
- Wall is plastered, the plaster attaches to the ring pulls
Hollow Ceramic Blocks
- Lightweight lattice-like fired clay blocks are stacked
- Wall then rendered
Ceramic Pots
- Plant-pot like ceramic pots are stacked
- Wall then rendered
- Popular in Spain
Half Timbered
- Vertical wood studs with close spacing
- Mud plaster infill
- Historic construction method for external walls
Wattle & Daub
- Timber stud framework
- Woven twig fencing panels (wattle)
- Plastered with mud plaster (daub)
- Historic construction method for internal & external walls