Walls- Blog 4

This week in Building Systems we learned about Walls. In framing systems there are three different types of walls, stud walls, concrete and masonry bearing walls, and structural frame walls.  

Stud walls are built from wood or light-gauge steel. The standard size of a stud wall is 2x4 or 2x6. Standard spacing between studs is 12”, 16”, or 24” on center. After framing sheathing is added, which is either plywood or OSB.  

Concrete and Masonry Bearing Walls are made from brick, stone, or reinforced cement. There are several challenges that come with this process, including: placement of electrical wiring, boxes, and switches, attaching interior finish materials or artwork, and penetrations of plumbing and HVAC.  

The third type of wall, Structural Frame Walls consist of a column and beam system. Structural frame walls are not normally left bare, often a stud wall, insulation-panels (made from either wood or steel) and other materials are added onto it. Exterior walls almost always have insulation added, however, interior ways are only sometimes insulated due to acoustical purposes.  

Within interior and exterior walls there are many layers. Insulation, which can be made from different materials, is used to maintain the building's temperature and block out noises. Vapor retarders/barriers, are applied on exterior walls to keep condensation from entering a building, which is applied on the warmer side of the wall. Exterior and interior finishes are added both to protect the walls and enhance design style.  

There are two main types of interior wall substrate materials, gypsum wallboard and plaster. Gypsum board or better known as drywall, is more commonly used, but plaster is a more sustainable process, however, it is very labor intensive because it requires three different coats and lath.  

There are 5 main types of wall finishes; paint (which is the most common), tile, wood, brick/stone, and wall textiles (which include fabric, paper, or even carpeting).  

Paint is a very sustainable option. Its content is VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), the life cycle of paint is great, it can be considered a noise reduction and insulation factor, it has a great scrub ability and has a good light reflectivity. 

Tile is most commonly used in areas of a building that tend to get wet. The best way to install it is over cement board. Tile is usually made of natural materials, such as: clay, stone, porcelain, metal, or concrete, but it is not a very sustainable material, since it usually has to be demolished to install new tile. Tile comes in many different shapes and sizes, which can add beauty and texture to a room and express one’s design style or culture.  

Wood paneling can be applied to wall studs or directly over gypsum board. The main types are wall panels, wainscotting, shiplap, and board and batten. Wood can bring in warmth and a natural element to any interior. Wood can be a sustainable option, since you can paint over it, and it can be reused and recycled from previous projects.  

Brick and Stone can either be a continuation of the exterior wall or a decorative finish. Depending on how natural the brick is, it can also bring in a warm and natural element. Both wood and stone are amazing focal points. It is most often used in and around fireplaces. Like tile, this is not necessarily a sustainable option but can be made from natural materials.  

Lastly, wall textiles can be either aesthic and/or for acoustical purposes. This is not a great sustainable option, but there are newer types of wallpaper that do not require paste, glue, or nails to be added but are already adhesive which saves time and money.  

Additionally, interior detailing can be added. This is called moldings or trim. These are used to conceal the transition between perpendicular surfaces and changes in materials. Crown or cornice moldings are used in ceiling to wall connections. Base boards are used for floor to ceiling connections. Chair railings are located one-third of the way up the wall.  

Casework is a type of interior detailing that is built-in furniture. There are many different joinery types that can be used, that can be chosen based off strength, design style, or materials.  

The different types of interior walls that one must be aware of when making decisions are acoustical partitions, fire walls, and bearing wall. Acoustical partitions are used to control noise between spaces, partitions are not structural and may not reach the ceiling. Fire walls are a fire rated partition, these are rated upon how long they are held up against flames, anywhere between one to three hours. Bearing walls are a structural element that helps to hold up the building, meaning that interior designers cannot change them without the help of an architect or engineer.  

Within the walls are doors and windows. There are three things to consider when picking a door; materials (usually made of wood or steel), configuration (flush, paneled, etc.), and operation (revolving, swinging, etc.). When choosing a window, you must choose the materials (wood, aluminum, steel, etc.), how it operates (fixed, sliding, etc.), the parts of the window (glazing, sill. Etc.), and address energy issues (leakage- air and water, and insulation).  

As an interior designer, while picking out the materials and finishes can be exciting and fun, you must also record all this information to communicate it will all the other professionals who work on the project. These are called wall schedules (wall types/partion types), finish schedules, and finish plans. These give descriptions of the materials that are to be used, so the contractor and workers know what to order and use.  

Case Study 

The case study that I chose to write about is called Supporting Healthcare Safety and Flexibility. These partitions help infection control through healthcare design by creating flexibility. 

Within hospitals and other healthcare facilities, infection can spread very fast and easily, which can be detrimental to patients who are already sick. One new design to help prevent this is using moveable partitions, to create a barrier between patients. However, these barriers are not permanent, and can be moved throughout a space, creating flexibility for staff. In the past, in healthcare facilities they have used curtains for this purpose. However, these are penetrable for infection, are limited onto a track, and are not as easy to clean. In this new design, they are a decorative element, that is a flexible, privacy screen, that prevents infection. KwickScreen is a beautiful flexible design that saves lives!   

https://www.steelcase.com/research/articles/topics/healthcare/supporting-healthcare-safety-and-flexibility/