What is a Load Bearing Walls?

Load Bearing Walls are walls that support the weight of another floor or the roof structure above, in addition to its load, are called load-bearing walls. They support a crucial amount of weight.

The load bearing walls are built in a way that they are thickened in proportion to resist their weight, the live load of people living, the dead load of roof and floor, vaults, and also the wind, Hence, load bearing walls are essential.

Such walls have to be much thicker towards the base, where maximum loads assemble. Bearing walls are sometimes also framed and cased or constructed of reinforced concrete.

Types of Load Bearing Walls

• Cavity wall

A wall comprising of two leaves, each of which has a leaf that's built of structural units and is separated by a little space or cavity and is tied together using bonded units or metal ties to make sure that the two leaves are structured to be one unit.

The space amid both the leaves is either left as a continuous cavity or is filled with waterproofing material and non-load bearing.

• Faced wall and veneer wall

A wall where the facing and backing of the wall are made of two different materials that are attached to ensure a common and simple action under load is known as a Faced walls.

Veneer walls are also similar to non-load-bearing walls as they carry no weight other than their own.

The tile and the bricks are fastened to a backing, but they do not apply any common action with the backing.

• Solid masonry walls

Solid Masonry walls are one of the most common types of load bearing walls that are used. Such walls are built using single blocks of material such as bricks, concrete blocks, stone, or clay placed horizontally coursed and cemented together carefully with suitable mortar.

A solid wall consists of the same type of building unties throughout its heft and thickness. It may include an opening for doors, windows, etc.

• Precast Concrete Walls

Precast concrete walls revolutionize the building of load-bearing structures, making them faster and more efficient. Imagine concrete walls manufactured off-site to exact specifications. These sturdy panels are then supplied to the construction site, ready to be hauled into position. This technology removes the need for on-site concrete pouring and formwork, which saves time and labor. The prefabricated nature of these walls provides consistent quality and dimensional precision. This results in sturdy, dependable load-bearing walls that go up quickly, expediting the construction process.

• Reinforced Concrete Walls

Reinforced concrete walls are the construction industry's workhorse, providing a unique combination of versatility and strength. On-site construction of these barriers involves pouring concrete that is selectively reinforced with steel rods or mesh. This customizable technique enables engineers to match the wall's strength to the building's exact load requirements. The poured concrete is extremely durable, and the integrated steel increases its ability to withstand substantial weight. This combination makes reinforced concrete walls an attractive option for multi-story structures, basements, and any construction that requires a strong load-bearing system.

• Stone Walls

Stone walls represent ageless elegance and enduring power. They are a monument to traditional craftsmanship, made of natural stone slabs or meticulously quarried pieces. Stone's intrinsic beauty compliments a wide range of architectural styles, bringing a touch of rustic charm or refined grandeur to the design. However, its construction necessitates the skills of trained masons to assure stability and long-term performance.

• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) provide a unique and novel method to load-bearing walls. These interlocking bricks work as a mold, forming a hollow chamber that is later filled with concrete. This results in a composite wall that is exceptionally robust and structurally sound. However, the beauty of ICFs comes in their built-in insulation. The block material itself provides insulation, and the air space between the form and the concrete improves thermal performance even more. This leads to substantial energy savings and a more comfortable living environment. Furthermore, ICFs can be erected fast, which simplifies the construction process.

What are Non-Load Bearing Walls?

Non-load bearing walls are mostly set inside the house as they do not support any constructional weight of the building. Other than their own weight, they do not bear any other weight. Such walls are used as room or hall dividers and have no other important purpose.

Non- load bearing walls can be identified easily by looking at the beams in an attic or the basement of your house. If the rafters and the joists (small timber wood) are aligned parallel to the wall, they can be considered as non-load bearing walls. Non- load bearing structures are not responsible for the gravitational support of the house, and therefore, you can remove these walls without jeopardizing the safety of the building.

Non-load bearing walls that are used to close in any steel or concrete frame building are called panel walls. It is normally carried by support, usually by steel shelf angles on each floor.

If the wall is supported at the base only, it is known as a curtain wall.

A partition wall is a thin and lean internal wall that is structured to separate or split the space within the building into rooms or areas. Partition walls are generally non-load bearing.

A partition wall dividing two connecting rooms often provides an obstacle to the passage of sound from one room to another.

A further demand in all partitioned walls is that they can support a surface that is appropriate for decoration and which can also withstand the casual destruction or damage by impact to which the profession of the property is likely to subject them.

Partitions on the ground walls rest on either the beams spanning or on the flooring concrete between the main walls.

Partitions are supported on concrete beams in multi-storied buildings spanning between columns.

The Partitions have a total self-weight that may considerably affect the whole load on the framework and also on the constructional elements; the building as a whole will be a more economical property. The width and thickness of the partition wall will surely affect the amount of usable space on the floor that is available in the building.

Following are the requirements for the Partition wall

• The wall should be strong enough to carry its load.

• It must resist the impact of the building, which is likely to subject them.

• The partition wall must have the capacity to keep up an appropriate decorative surface.

• It has to be stable enough and strong to hold up some washbasins, wall fixtures, etc.

• A partition wall must be as light as possible.

• The partition wall should also be as thin and lean as possible.

• You should ensure that the partition wall should act as a sound barrier, especially when it separates two rooms.

Load bearing walls can be made of different materials, such as Stone, Concrete, Masonry, brick, stone, Timber, and Steel.

Here are some types of load-bearing walls:

• Precast concrete wall
• Retaining wall
• Masonry wall
• Panelled load-bearing wall
• Engineering brick wall
• Stonewall
• Reinforced concrete load-bearing wall
• Pre panelized load bearing metal stud walls

Load bearing walls can be exterior or interior walls. They brace from the roof to the floor. Load-bearing walls are usually solid, whereas stud partition walls are hollow.

Read our blog on White Walls if you are thinking about painting your walls white and at the same time discover different types of paint.

And if you are looking to Illuminate your ceiling, here's a blog based on light designs.

Reference:

1. Simple Garden Ideas

2. Wooden Ceiling Roof Ideas

3. Positive Energy Home Decor

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