Exterior wall
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
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.
- Security.
- Privacy.
- Fire control.
- Aesthetics.
It may include openings allowing access and ventilation and glazing to allow light in and views out. In loadbearing construction such as masonry, the exterior wall may also provide support to the combined dead, imposed and wind loads of the roof and floor construction and convey them to the foundations.
In a framed structure, the external walls may be non-loadbearing and are therefore relieved of any upper floor and roof loadings. However, they are normally self-supporting and are designed to resist wind loads, prevent the spread of fire and accommodate thermal movements.
Joints accommodating thermal movements may be required if long, uninterrupted wall lengths are involved.
[edit] Materials
Exterior walls can be made from a wide variety of materials either singly or in combination with other materials. These can include:
- Masonry such as stone, brick and block.
- Concrete.
- Timber.
- Metal cladding.
- Glass, metal or timber panels.
- GRP/GRC cladding.
- Terracotta.
For more information see: Types of wall and Cladding.
[edit] Construction systems used to build exterior walls
Various construction systems can be used to build external walls, including:
- Loadbearing – using stone, bricks and blocks, or reinforced concrete. Timber is used for log cabin construction.
- 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’. These types of exterior wall wrap around the building’s structure, are typically non-loadbearing and serve as an aesthetic and climatic component. Tied back to the structure, they can be made of facing bricks, concrete blocks, timber panels, glass, plastic and other lightweight materials. For more information see: Cladding.
- Rainscreen – a thin façade made of metal, terracotta or other panel type is attached to a lightweight frame which is itself bolted to the building structure. In appearance, it is not usually possible to tell that the result is a façade of relatively little thickness. There is usually a ventilation gap between the back of the facing panel and the face (or inner wall) of the building. Rainscreens provide an opportunity to retrofit insulation to existing buildings. For more information see: Rainscreen.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA skills recharge at the House of Commons
Electrical sector feels skills shortage bite.
The impact of pandemic and new legislation on courses
CIOB Academy’s course take-up inked to external factors.
An artist, philanthropist and ex-Army helicopter pilot
Q and A with self-representing artist, Hannah Shergold.
Building Safety Regulator appoints permanent director
And publishes three-year strategic plan.
Update on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
Introducing changes to make it more effective from 2024.
2023 CIOB photography competition
Shortlist announced for 2023 public choice award vote.
The last of the Victorians. Book review.
Grimsby's Kasbah: where’s that?
An exotic name that is shrouded in mystery.
This weeks guest editor, Ankita Dwivedi of Firstplanit.
Fropm practice to research and the business of materials.
Terms, histories, theories and practices.
Types of work to existing buildings - repurposing of buildings
Alteration and everything else before demolition.
2023 HSE data on workplace injuries and ill health
And CIOB's response.
Building Safety Act and Secondary Legislation
Presidential update from CIAT's Eddie Weir PCIAT.
Starting pistol Statement for an election campaign?
Rates freeze, NI cuts, full expensing; early election?
Positive pressure or positive input ventilation
Could this be a remedy for condensation, damp or mould?
Unlocking a Healthier Tomorrow
Report on Social housing retrofit in Scotland 2023
Call for ministerial group and National Retrofit Delivery Plan.