Partition Wall – Types, Advantages & Requirements


What Is Partition Wall?

Partition wall is a non-load bearing wall or divider, provided for the purpose of separating one room or part of a roof from another. Partition walls are constructed of bricks, wood, concrete, glass, etc materials. In this article, I will discuss different types of partition wall used in rooms.

Requirements Of Good Partition Wall

  • It should be thin, light, and rigid.
  • It should be soundproof as well as lightproof.
  • It should provide adequate privacy.
  • It Should be easy to construct.
  • It should be economical.

Types Of Partition Walls

1. Brick Partition

Bricks partitions are always half-brick thick. They are three types.

i) Plain Brick Partition

These partitions are made by laying bricks in stretcher bond. The wall is 100 mm thick ad its maximum height is only 2 m and the maximum length is 6 m. Plastering on both sides is also required.

brick partition wall

ii) Reinforced Brick Partition Wall

These partitions are also half-brick thick, but reinforcement of wire mesh, iron hoop, or 6 mm steel bars are provided at every fourth or fifth coarse of bricks. It is stronger and more durable than a plain brick partition.

iii) Brick- Nogged Partition

This type of partition wall consists of wooden framework whose interspaces are filled with half brick masonry. The framework consists of head, sill, vertical and horizontal members.

2. Hollow Clay Block Partitions

Hollow blocks are normally made of clay or terra-cotta. The size of hollow blocks is usually 300mm x 200 mm and thickness varies from 50 mm to 150 mm. These partitions are lightweight, non-shrinkable, and good in sound and fire resistance.

3. Cement Concrete Partitions

These partition walls may be constructed in form of a solid thin concrete slab or hollow blocks. In case of precast slabs, the thickness of the slab should not be less than 40 mm and precast poles should be provided at suitable intervals.

In case of cast in situ construction, the slab thickness is 75 mm. Sometimes reinforcement may be provided to give sufficient strength and stability.

cement concrete partition wall

4. Glass Partition Wall

In this type of partition wall, thin glass sheets or hollow blocks are used. In sheet glass partition, timber framework is used to insert thin glass sheets which are kept in position by using putty. These partitions are lightweight, soundproof, and vermin proof and require less space.

They provide a good decorative effect in the room. Some special types of sheets such as wired glass, three-ply glass, bulletproof glass, etc are used to avoid breakage.

Hollow glass blocks are produced from structural annealed glass. They are translucent and available in a variety of shapes and sizes. As they carry self-load only hence do not require any timber framework. These blocks are lightweight, soundproof, fireproof, and have a decent appearance.

glass partition wall

5. Timber Partitions

Timber partitions are easy to construct. The use of timber partitions is decreasing because they are non-fire resisting and easily affected in damp conditions. They are sightproof but not good soundproof.

timber partition wall

6. Metal Partitions

Metal is a good partition material. Out of all, mild steel is mostly used for this purpose. Metal laths are used with steel or timber framework for fixing in position. Plastering is required after fixing the metal lath.

The thickness of this type of partition is 50 mm. Patented steel lath, commonly known as hyrib is also useful material for making partition walls. For better thermal and sound insulation cavity can be provided in between metal lath and plaster.

7. Plaster Board Partition

Plaster boards are made from plaster of paris or gypsum. Different varieties of plaster boards are readily available in the market. The thickness of these boards varies from 50 mm to 100 mm. Plaster boards are easily fixed in wooden frames. They can be nailed or screwed easily.

8. Straw Board Partition

Straw boards or slabs are used in wooden or steel frames. They provide good thermal and sound insulation. They are mostly suitable where partitions need to be removed frequently.

9. Wood Wool Slab Partitions

These slabs are made by mixing wood wool or wood shavings with a small amount of gypsum. They require still or timber or concrete frame for fixing at positions. The thickness of the partition varies from 50 mm to 75 mm.

They are very prone to moisture defects and dimensional changes. To avoid this, partitions should be provided with shrinkage joints at intervals of 6 m. These types of partition walls give moderate sound insulation and fire resistance when plastered on both sides

10. AC And GI Sheet Partitions

These partitions are prepared by fixing AC or GI sheets on supporting frames in single or double leaves. They are either fixed to permanent vertical posts or clamped and attached to metal runners at the ceiling and floor level.

This type of partition wall is durable and fire-resistant but not good for sound insulation. These types of partition walls are mostly suitable for offices with a good decorative appearance.

11. Plastic Board Partitions

Plastic boards are made of PVC and are mainly of two types: foamed and unfoamed plastic boards. Foamed boards have solid external skin and foam core inside whereas unfoamed boards have solid external skin with hollow cavities inside.

They can be used for

  • Partitioning cabins with timber or aluminium frame.
  • Wall paneling.
  • False ceiling etc.
plastic pvc partition wall

Advantages Of Partition Walls

  • It helps to divide one room into many rooms.
  • It provides adequate privacy from sight and sound both.
  • Most of the partition materials are good in thermal insulation.
  • Partition walls are lightproof.
  • Built from lightweight materials.
  • Some partition materials are also fire-resistant.
  • As these walls are thin, they occupy less area in room.
  • Rigid and durable.
  • Cheap and easy to construct.

Also Read

Types Of Walls Used In Building Construction

How To Calculate No. Of Concrete Bricks In Wall


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