Chapter 13 WALLS

Walls Walls are 1 of 3 basic elements of an room- floors, ceilings and walls Serve aesthetic and practical functions Define space, provide privacy, provide protection, and form barrier to the weather Important in determining the character of a home

Wall Types Two main types in residential housing construction: Frame walls and Masonry Walls Bearing Walls: Supports some weight from the ceiling or roof of a structure Nonbearing Wall: Does not support any weight from the structure beyond its own weight

Frame Walls Used as interior or exterior walls, depending on the material used Interior frame walls are called partitions to distinguish them from exterior walls and mainly nonbearing walls Exterior walls are usually bearing walls

Frame Walls Cont. Frame wall construction usually consist of spaced wood or metal studs attached to a sole plate at the bottom and a double plate at the top Most studs are 2 x 4 wood boards Typical frame wall is 8ft high from finished floor to finished ceiling Studs are placed 12, 16 or 24 in apart; 16in most common

Frame Walls Cont. Moisture content should correspond to the atmospheric moisture level to reduce the chances of shrinking and warping Frame partition is composed of studs covered by some type of sheet product called drywall Window and door openings need lintel walls because they provide a little extra strength Exterior walls are similar but insulation is placed btwn the studs to reduce heat loss and gain Outside face wall has a protective layer, or sheathing, nailed to studs to help weatherproof the wall

Masonry Walls Wall constructed entirely of brick, concrete block, stone, clay tile or a combo of these materials Basement walls are the most likely walls to be made of these materials Concrete walls are used for foundation walls, extends from the first floor to the footing base Thickness of a foundation is dependent on the following factors Type of structure to be built Height of wall Ground pressures exerted against wall

Wall Treatments Common exterior surfaces include: wood siding and manufactured siding of aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass Common interior and exterior include: wood shingles, decorative masonry, stucco, plaster, and paint Common interior include: wallpaper, fabric, paneling, tile and mirrors

Wood Siding Most common exterior wall treatment Horizontal wood siding consists of boards that overlap Generally boards are beveled, narrower on one edge than the other Relatively inexpensive but requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep Other types are vertical siding and plywood siding

Manufactured Siding Aluminum Siding: Low maintenance cost. Baked on enamel finish and resembles painted wood siding. Vinyl Siding: similar in appearance to aluminum but less likely to dent and doesn’t conduct electricity. Made from polyvinyl chloride that’s tough and durable. Fiberglass Siding: Resemble natural wood shingles. Long lasting and don’t require painting or treating.

Wood Shingles Made in a variety of styles Nailed on individually or applied in remanufactured panels Red cedar most trusted exterior material; last for over 50 years as roofing material

Decorative Masonry Most decorative masonry wall treatments must be chosen before the wall is completed Projecting and recessing masonry units can accomplish wall texture and depth Form can be achieved by using perforated units to construct a grill or screen over an existing wall or build a wall by itself Typical types are brick, special block or tile Pattern bonds are used to develop a series of interesting designs

Stucco/Plaster Final finished coat of the plastering process on an interior or exterior surface Interior plaster uses gypsum material and exterior stucco is formed with a Portland cement material Can be applied to concrete and masonry surfaces or wood and metal that’s been covered with fine wire mesh Fairly inexpensive but has tendency to crack and chip

Stucco/Plaster Wall treatment stucco finishes Float finish: forms surface with a piece of carpet or a rubber-faced float Wet dash finish: applies coarse aggregate mix with a brush Dash-troweled finish: smoothes the high spots of a dashed surface with a trowel Stipple-troweled finish: flecks the surface with quick jabos fo a broom and trowels high spots smooth

Cont. Pebble-dash finish: throws small, decorative stones against the wet surface to create an exposed aggregate finish Combed finish: forms the surface with notched template Smooth troweled finish: makes surface very flat. Sand finished; create the surface with a wooden float Acoustical finish: machine sprays a very textured surface Swirl finish: produces swirls with a brush, trowel or other object

Paint Most popular wall treatment because it is inexpensive, quick to use, easy to apply, available in a variety of colors and is easy to change 2 types of paint: Latex: water based or Alkyd: oil based Each can be bought in matte, gloss and textured finishes Primer should be applied first; it prepares the surface, helps it to remain durable and retain the color

Wallpaper Economically practical and can be used in any room Comes in many colors, patterns and textures; it can even imitate other materials Ideal for disguising odd-shaped architectural details Advantages: available in wide price range, can make a room appear formal or informal and larger or smaller, quick way to remodel or change a room’s décor and used to establish scale of an interior space

Fabric Provides unique texture to a wall Offers a wide range of color and patterns Applied with glue, tacks or double-faced carpet tape Best types for wall covering are thick enough to prevent glue from showing through Should be resistant to staining, fading, mildew and shrinking Carpeting is sometimes used as a wall covering, functional as sound insulation

Paneling and Boards Wood paneling and boards are available in a wide range of colors, grains, and species New processes make paneling wear resistant, easy to clean and colorful Provides insulation, practical for repairing a damaged wall or for building a new partition Economical, durable, and require little maintenance

Ceramic Tile Attractive, durable and easily cleaned wall covering Wide appeal for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-use areas Variety of colors and shapes Expensive but very long lasting and requires little maintenance

Mirrors Often used to cover one wall in a room for accent; makes a small room appear large Expensive but produce a dramatic effect and easy to maintain Come in clear, smoked or patterned

Selection of Wall Treatments FunctionAppearance

Function Formality level, amount of visual interest, texture and light-absorbency are all qualities that should coordinate with the function of a room Active vs Passive Walls

Appearance Large, bold patterns are overpowering on a small wall. Makes walls appear closer Small scale patterns in light colors make a wall appear larger Tall walls appears lower in the color of the ceiling is extended to the molding on the wall Vertical stripes make a wall appear taller Mirrors create an illusion of more space. Scenes in perspective lead the eye beyond the wall for same effect Wall coverings should coordinate with types of furnishings in a room