Various types of partitions serve as dividing walls between different spaces in construction. A partition can be a simple wall made of materials such as brick, glass, or other materials. Partition walls are typically designed to be non-load-bearing, meaning they do not support the weight of the system.
They can be either collapsible or fixed. However, their usage has become increasingly popular nowadays, and certain types of partitions are more commonly used than others.
To discover the most popular partition walls, it is advisable to continue reading this article until the end. By doing so, you will learn about the different types of partitions and be able to choose the one that best suits your preferences, requirements, and budget.
Features of a suitable partition
The installation and use of partition walls can divide the space in your home into different parts so that you can better utilize your living environment. The other advantages of partition walls are:
- Maintaining and creating privacy
- Lightweight and affordable
- Easy and convenient installation in different locations with different areas.
When choosing a partition wall, it is essentialto consider additional conditions and characteristics, which include the following:
- The partition wall should be constructed using durable, lightweight, and well-insulated materials.
- It should possess adequate resistance against fire, heat, moisture, termites, and fungi.
- The partition should be rigid enough to withstand vibrations caused by loads.
- Construction and design steps should be simple, easy, and cost-effective, while also ensuring compatibility with the building structure.
Popular Types of Partition Walls
Considering the advantages and conditions that a partition wall should have, it is best to know about their different types and their pros and cons, including:
Brick Partition Wall
The brick partition wall is one of the most common and cost-effective types of partition walls. There are mainly three types of brick partition walls:
- Solid Brick Partitions: Solid brick partitions are popular and cost-effective options. They are constructed using solid bricks with a minimum thickness of 10 cm. The maximum height for construction should not exceed 2 meters, and these walls require plastering. When built properly, they can provide fire resistance.
- Reinforced Brick Partitions: Reinforced brick partitions are similar to solid brick partitions but are made stronger by incorporating reinforcements.
- Brick Partitions with Wooden Frames: These partitions consist of masonry placed within a wooden frame.
Clay Block Partition Wall
Partition walls made from clay or pottery are referred to as clay block partition walls. These blocks can be either hollow or solid. Hollow clay blocks are commonly used for lightweight partitions and come in varying thicknesses ranging from 6 cm to 15 cm. Hollow clay block partitions offer rigidity, cost-effectiveness, strength, and fire resistance. Additionally, they provide excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties.
Magnesium Oxide Panels in Partition Walls
Magnesium oxide panels are one of the new construction materials for building partition walls. They offer numerous advantages in construction, which are further beneficial when used in partition wall construction. The most significant advantages include:
- Soundproofing
- Durability and strength
- Lightweight and easy installation
- Fire resistance
- Design flexibility
- Moisture and mold resistance
Therefore, partition walls made of magnesium oxide panels with these characteristics can have various applications in building construction.
Glass Partition Wall
The glass partition wall is a lightweight, affordable option. It consists of glass sheets or hollow glass bricks. The glass sheets are fixed within a wooden frame using wooden beads or putty. The panels can be rectangular or square. This type of partition is lightweight, termite-resistant, moisture-proof, and provides sound insulation. Strong glass sheets such as reinforced glass, bulletproof glass, or triple-glazed glass are used for flat glass partition walls.
Prefabricated Concrete Partition Wall
This partition is constructed employing prefabricated concrete slab units. The thickness of the prefabricated concrete elements ranges from 25 to 40 mm. Mortar is used to fill the joints between the prefabricated parts.
Plasterboard Partition Wall
Plasterboards, gypsum boards, or drywall panels are used in this type of partition. They are made from calcined gypsum or plaster of Paris mixed with sawdust or other fibrous materials to reduce the wall’s weight. Prefabricated units of plasterboard are prepared in iron or wooden molds with lengths of 1 to 2 meters, heights of 30 cm, and thicknesses of 50 to 100 mm. The surface of the plasterboard panel can be smooth or textured.
Metal Strip Partition Wall
The metal strip partition wall is solid, thin, durable, and remarkably fire-resistant. This partition is installed by vertically placing 2 cm or 2.5 cm profiles (called studs) and a metal strip on one side. However, both metal surfaces need to be plastered.
Wood Partition Wall
Wooden walls are another popular and commonly used option for partitioning. They are made up of a wooden frame. These types of partitions are not fire-resistant. It is even possible for the wood used to decay over time or be attacked by termites. Nowadays, the use of a wooden partition wall is not very popular due to its high cost.
Portable Partition Wall
A portable partition wall is a movable and foldable partition. They can be used as temporary partition walls. Portable partitions are very sturdy and durable. They are even effective in reducing building noise. The process of moving and maintaining them is very simple.
Plywood and Fiberboard Partition Wall
Plywood can be utilized as a material for constructing partition walls. These partitions are typically installed vertically, extending from the floor to the ceiling. The connections between the plywood panels do not necessarily need to be covered or concealed, but for aesthetic purposes, you have the option to cover the joints with plaster or paint. Plywood partitions are cost-effective compared to other types of partition walls and offer satisfactory performance.
Drywall Partition
Drywall, also known as plasterboard or gypsum board, is a panel composed of pressed gypsum sandwiched between two thick paper sheets. It is commonly used for interior wall construction. Drywall systems have become a popular alternative to traditional lath and plaster due to their ease of installation. Drywall panels are connected on both sides using special wall screws. In certain cases, plastering may be required to create larger walls using the drywall system.
Conclusion
There are various types of partition walls, each serving different purposes based on their unique advantages. The composition and materials used in these walls play a significant role in determining their characteristics. One such material is magnesium oxide panels, which are extensively utilized in constructing different types of partition walls. Walls made from magnesium panels can exhibit exceptional strength and durability.
