How is an exterior wall constructed?
There are just a few layers in an exterior wall. The first layer consists of framing, usually made with 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. The second layer consists of sheathing, which is often made with OSB , plywood, or pressure-treated plywood depending on the project, its use, and the area you live in.
What are American walls made of?
They are typically constructed from brick or blockwork, or framed, sometimes referred to as stud walls. Stud walls can be constructed from timber, steel or aluminium frames clad with boarding such as plasterboard, timber, metal or fibreboard. They may also be glazed. For more information, see Partition walls.
What are the exterior walls of houses made of?
There are 10 basic types of exterior wall: poured concrete, masonry (brick or stone), stucco, synthetic or artificial stucco, wood (shingles, shakes or planks), metal (steel or aluminum), vinyl, asphalt shingles, tile (slate or clay) or fiber cement (planks or panels).
How thick are exterior walls in the US?
However, the standard thickness of ICF exterior walls is 12 inches, reducing room sizes and minimizing the home’s square footage. To maintain the original square footage of a building plan, you must increase the overall dimensions of the house, which also impacts the design of the roof and foundation.
What is exterior building structure?
Building Exterior means the outside portions of a structure, including the materials, equipment and components which constitute the walls, roof, foundation, stairs, attached projections and other external parts and features.
What do Europeans use instead of drywall?
For example, it is common in the EU to intermix the terms drywall and plasterboard. Common to both continents, drywall can be applied over masonry substrates. Europe refers to this as “dry lining.” While North America tends to use furring, Europe prefers the dot-and-daub system to affix gypsum panels.
What are the exterior walls of a house called?
Siding. Siding is the term for the exterior walls of the home. The most common types are vinyl, aluminum, and brick.
What is the minimum thickness for external wall?
The minimum thickness of exterior walls in one-story buildings shall be 10 inches (254 mm). The walls shall be laterally supported at intervals not exceeding 24 feet (7315 mm). The minimum thickness of interior load-bearing walls shall be 8 inches (203 mm).
How thin can exterior walls be?
External walls are generally 10 to 12 inches wide. Homes that are built with rammed earth or heavy exterior masonry will have thicker walls. There is no limit to how thick an exterior wall can be.
What is an external wall system?
The external wall system (EWS) is made up of the outside wall of a residential building, including cladding, insulation, fire break systems, etc.
What are walls made of in Germany?
Modern homes in Germany are frequently built from a brick masonry formed of sand and limestone, along with asphalt roof tiles.
Why are US houses made of drywall?
Drywall was invented in 1916. The United States Gypsum Corporation, a company that vertically integrated 30 different gypsum and plaster manufacturing companies 14 years prior, created it to protect homes from urban fires, and marketed it as the poor man’s answer to plaster walls.
Why are American houses not made of brick?
The shift away from structural brick began after World War II. Mid-century consumers wanted suburban homes that looked distinct from their urban counterparts and newer building codes no longer required brick. That, meant less demand for both the material and the masons needed to install it.
What does EIFS stand for?
Exterior Insulation and Finish System
Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is an exterior wall cladding that utilizes rigid insulation boards on the exterior of the wall sheathing with a plaster appearance exterior skin.
What are the different types of exterior walls used in construction?
Exterior Wall Materials Used In Building Construction 1 Insulated Vinyl Siding. Insulated vinyl siding offers a good, low-cost alternative to consider when planning your next construction project. 2 Tilt-Up Walls. 3 OVE Framing. 4 ICF Walls. 5 Brick Walls.
What is the function of an exterior wall?
An exterior wall typically forms part of a building envelope, separating the accommodation inside from that outside. Its functions include: Environmental control – mediating between indoor and outdoor conditions .
What is the most popular building method for residential construction?
Wood framing continues to reign supreme as the most popular building method for residential construction, but other techniques are becoming more widely used.
What is the exterior wall of a building called?
Framed – the exterior wall can be located around the structure, inside (thereby exposing the structure) or as infill panels located within the depth of the frame itself. Irrespective of the plane it is in, the exterior wall in these situations is usually referred to as ‘ cladding ’.