All Types of Walls You Could Possibly Find, Explained

There are twelve types of walls used in the building. We will cover all of them with pictures and an in-depth explanation in this article. You will also find out about the materials, cost, finishes, and more.

Table of Contents

Everything you should know related to the house types of walls is here on this page. It will guide you through the various types and options to choose from. Let us begin.

Walls Perspectives

The first things we need to know are two perspectives to differentiate the different types of walls. We can define it by looking at the lens of the construction and the design.

A. Construction

Set Of Various Types Of Brick Walls Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 12064276.

https://previews.123rf.com/images/alexis84/alexis841201/alexis84120100408/12064276-set-of-various-types-of-brick-walls.jpg

From the perspective of construction work, you will deal with two basic types of walls. They are the load-bearing wall and the non-load-bearing one. To check it, look at the wall anatomy.

To get the point load of the stud, you should find the joists straight over each stud all the way right to the slab below in the load-bearing types of walls. Besides, you can sometimes also find the above floor joists running to the wall perpendicularly.

Furthermore, the load-bearing wall will give the structure and strength to the building. Builders need to separate the types of walls using this perspective. Let us have a more detailed explanation about this point of view.

1. Load-Bearing Wall

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\1_oKPw_pEnkQUDf1TMqeLkNg.jpeg

https://miro.medium.com/max/3240/1*oKPw_pEnkQUDf1TMqeLkNg.jpeg

The load-bearing types of walls are usually having some sturdy and durable materials. People usually have it in thick wooden beams, steel, brick, and concrete. The function of this wall kind is to hold up the house’s weight. It is done by distributing it down to the ground as a foundation.

For example, the retaining types of walls, they are considered as the load-bearing one. It is common in the outdoor area. These walls will not hold “up” the housing material. Instead, they hold “back” earth, which manages the lateral land pressure behind.

Engineers construct a retaining wall depends on the slope layout behind it. It is also according to the ground wet condition and the budget. If you plan to have it over four feet, get some professionals to do it for you. They will understand the important factures and make them safe and effective.

2. Non-Load Bearing Types of Walls

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\Gipswandbauplatten.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Gipswandbauplatten.JPG

This type of wall is simply the one that does not do what the previous barrier can. The structures do not hold up the flooring above. A non-load-bearing concept is used to divide an area of the house into a smaller space.

Non-load bearing types of walls are sometimes called partition, panel, and curtain walls. It does not hold up the significant weight.

That is why there is a wide range of types of walls materials that can be used to make the structure. For example, panels are often created with sheetrock and two-by-fours.

Another example is the partitions that are made with hollow bricks, terracotta, sheet glass, wood, facade bricks, and steel panels. Compared to the previous ones, these types of walls have a great deal of potential for remodeling. You can move it anytime you want since it is not heavy.

Additionally, you can have a sliding barn door or window to the wall. You should have whatever you are into. With non-load bearing types of walls, need not to worry about structural integrity.

3. Glass Partitions Types of Walls

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\13.02.20_opened.jpg

https://www.glassatwork.co.uk/images/heritage-industrial-glazed-wall-door-black-frame-04.jpg

This one is quite different from the first two types of walls from the construction point of view. You can make this alternative according to the design of the house. These are glass panels that act as a transparent divider.

Usually, this wall is made using high-quality glass materials that feature decent safety. However, it does not support any weight. The main use is for space management.

This material will allow you to let the sunlight during the day penetrates deep into the house. The partitions wall with glass is built an aluminum frame. Sometimes, you can also find it frameless.

A wall-like this is used in many modern homes, especially the home offices. It is perfect to create privacy and separation without bothering the room’s functionality.

B. Types of Wall Design

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\3031.jpg

https://oliprint-art.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/3031.jpg

If you look at it from the design, there will be some other types of walls to deal with. From this standpoint, you should feel that every wall in the house is a blank canvas that the homeowners can use creatively.

According to one of the top interior designers, Lella Vignelli, before she designs a space, she would listen to what space says. She should know what space wants to be. That would require creativity.

Any wall of a house is an integral part of room design. It would affect the space atmosphere. If you want a room to be industrial with a rustic feel, you should have an exposed brick wall. For those who want to add a sense of luxury, should aim to have a Venetian plaster.

From the types of wall design standpoint, you can see that there are many types of wall finishes. As said before, each wall would change the feeling of a space. Let us have a look.

1. Wall Finish with Paint

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\1433182866802-1.jpeg

https://freestonesroadhaven.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1433182866802-1.jpeg

Colors are everything when it comes to the wall. Whether you set it using paint or natural, they will give a significant impact on the design and atmosphere. Applying color with paint will give you endless possibilities in design choice.

Be creative in deciding the colors, tools, and the technique of application. You can choose to apply vibrant colors combination using various brush strokes. There is also some specialty paint to choose from, such as chalkboard or metallic paint.

It would surely make a wall more standout in the room. With chalkboard paint, you can make a nursery room or kids’ space more fun. The metallic paint would add a bit of luxurious sense to a room. The house could become so unique.

Since there are many choices of paint, it may be pretty challenging to determine. One thing for sure, painting is flexible to work with any style of design.

2. Wall Finish with Wood

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\living-wall-bedroom-wood-wall-design.jpg

https://cdn.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/living-wall-bedroom-wood-wall-design.jpg

From sleek wood panels to rustic repurposed boards, there are so many wood finishes to deal with. You must opt for it based on the design and style you are about to have for your house. There are many natural colors available in wood material.

One of the specialties featured in wooden material is the inherent texture. Using this material wall finish will add character to the finished surface. It is one of the types of texture on walls, which gives a nice charm to space.

3. Wall Finish with Decorative Plaster

Wallpaper - Architect Series - Decorative Plaster Wall - Kerrie Brown

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-bgnzf2t/images/stencil/2048×2048/products/747/2530/decorative_wall_panels__84319.1429255486.jpg?c=2

Before getting deep, we have to know that there are four primary forms of decorative plaster. They are, structural, Venetian, textural, and mineral. Plaster is applied in both interior and exterior portions of a house.

Before working with this material finish, you have to understand how it works. The use of decorative plaster will give a luxurious look to the space. It should be applied over sheetrock or wood to reach it.

One of the important reasons you have to read the instructions is because some plasters products are toxic. It sometimes requires an open area.

You can use structural plasters to make a pattern over the wall. Using hand is essential during the application and the consistency needs to be quite thick.

The next form is the textured plaster. This type of plaster finish can help you creating the murals, reliefs, and another patterning. The third one is Venetian plaster, which was used traditionally in Italy.

The last one is mineral plaster. It has pieces of minerals mixed in quartz, clay, and marble.

4. Wall Finish with Tile

Brick finish wall tiles Brick generation | Floor & Wall Tiles Design Ideas

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAVZIuSIDeA/WR–ETAizBI/AAAAAAAAE18/F822SjZzV44-8cIlrPdba_WN0QEoDa98wCEw/s1600/London%2B10.jpg

Another type of decorative wall is by using tiles. You can easily find it in bathrooms and kitchens. There is a variety of choices available. The size of the tile can be quite small when you choose to have the one with mosaic work.

If you have it in bright colors, it will give a significant change to space. It would also be so eye-catching. A wall surface would easily change into a work of art.

5. Partial Wall Height

How to Build a Pony Wall Room Divider | how-tos | DIY

https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2009/6/8/5/carterCAN-2441213-HCCAN-103_pony-wall-after.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.960.suffix/1420854861177.jpeg

Besides the finish of the wall, there are also some more types regarding the height. The first one is partial. These barriers do not touch the ceiling. You can choose how tall it is going to be as long as it does not reach the ceiling.

The structure is also commonly called a pony wall. That is because you can find this concept in horse stables. This kind of wall will give exciting opportunities to go with design and functionality. Having it in a room will retain a spaciousness sense to space.

The top surface of the partial wall can be used as the place to display some decor items. You can even use it as a bookcase to display your book collections.

This barrier allows light, heat, sound to get through the other rooms. During the cold weather, you can transfer the warmth from the living room with the fireplace to the other areas of the house.

6. Full Wall

Full-Wall Wainscot Part II - Chris Loves Julia

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCtMsMZAozo/UIhAHa2IRpI/AAAAAAAAGsc/CCfxGFYiWcc/s1600/IMG_8502.JPG

You can simply call this an ordinary wall that extends from the floor to the ceiling. It offers maximum privacy to any room. If you want to incorporate some openness to space, you should choose the moving panels.

People need to have a full wall for most of the rooms in the house. The bedroom and bathrooms are places where privacy is crucial. Let us just say that a closed-off space is just right for them.

The height of the wall depends on how high the ceiling is. You may need to do a trick to make it feels higher if it is lower. Use the right paint color to add some kind of illusion to the eye. Then, it would feel less cramped and more comfortable.

Outdoor Vs. Indoor Types of Walls

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\shutterstock_466682630_Resized-1200x800 (1).jpg

https://builderscrack.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/shutterstock_466682630_Resized-1200×800.jpg

The second thing we would like to focus on is the difference between the outdoor and indoor types of walls. Each of them has their specialty according to the condition they are facing. There will be some dramatic differences in design and structure.

A. Outdoor

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\barestone-exterior-06_1.jpg

https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/getmedia/1034465e-9721-4e91-8b91-28167241e0e9/barestone-exterior-06_1.aspx?width=1200&height=900&ext=.jpg

The outdoor or exterior types of walls should have a structure that fits the construction method of the house.

There are various types of wall materials, which include steel frames, wood frames, poured-in-place concrete, precast concrete, ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms), or SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels).

If you decide to have a wood frame, the technique would be very common and traditional. People should think about using lumber because the cost would be higher. If there are too many involvements of wood, the house will be less thermally efficient.

What is the thing about steel? This option of material is not so traditional. However, you can see it used quite often in house construction. It would be much recommended in a place where termites become an issue.

Using the concrete types of exterior walls can also be a good choice. It can be considered as an up-and-coming trend in the world of construction as an alternative to lumber.

You can get this material in a form of a precast panel or the poured-in-place one. For the insulation effect, use foam between layers.

B. Indoor

Concrete Wall Panels – Magnum Gallery

https://www.lamasatonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Picture2.jpg

Interior types of walls need a different treatment than the outdoor one. It is because they do not need to regulate heat extensively. To bear weight or divide rooms is the purpose of having barriers for indoor.

Similar to the types of exterior walls, the indoor one also needs to regulate an efficient temperature. To be clear, the heated area like the living room and the unheated space like the garage need attention.

The types of wall finishes should also be in a different technique between indoor and outdoor barriers. For the interior walls, you can have some more delicate options that the exterior one cannot have.

For instance, the water-based-latex paint cannot handle the rainstorm weather of the outside.

That is why some paint products have the specialty to protect the exterior wall, which cannot handle various weathers, even the extreme one.

More Details

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\Satariano-L-Antic-Colonial-Bathroom-Contemporary-large-wall-tiling-and-detailed-wall-feature.jpg

https://satariano.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Satariano-L-Antic-Colonial-Bathroom-Contemporary-large-wall-tiling-and-detailed-wall-feature.jpg

After reading the previous part, you see the great potential that walls have for you. In the past, there is some kind of rule that walls were used in a primarily functional manner. There had to be four walls inside each room as the borders between the house’s rooms.

In modern days, interior designers and homeowners have started to consider having walls in a completely new concept.

After learning about the different types of walls, by now you know that the shape of the wall around you will affect the feeling and atmosphere that you create. Some explanations and options for the walls are already discussed.

Well, let us get to know some more detailed information to acknowledge the appearance you want for your house.

A. The Wall Cost

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\concrete-block-foundation.jpg

https://cdn.inchcalculator.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/concrete-block-foundation.jpg

The budget you should prepare depends on the sizes, finishes, and types of walls. You should consider the price of products like paint, stone, tile, and many others. The length and height of the barrier would also decide the cost since more materials and labor are required.

Well, to get you easy to decide, the ballpark price of an interior wall will be about 2,500 to 6,100 bucks. It is not cheap, but it includes the payment for the contractor. For a drywall expert, you will need to spend more.

B. Construction Process

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\Käsitelty-kuva_vaihe-1.jpg

https://www.sisuinterior.fi/wp-content/uploads/K%C3%A4sitelty-kuva_vaihe-1.jpg

After deciding on the types of walls, it moves on to the construction. As you know, the final choice of material will affect the process. For example, if you want it to be a DIY project, the material should be friendly to that.

Otherwise, you should hire designers, engineers, and construction workers. Understand the limitations and strengths before deciding whether you want to do it yourself or not. Just learn as much as possible to know more about the construction process to make a great structure.

Prepare a budget to work with professionals if you do not want to spend a lot of time learning to build it. They will help you to make a decent structure that suits the house with great quality.

C. Getting All Types of Wall Materials

C:\Users\Panda\Downloads\GILANG EDIT EDIT\ARTIKEL\FIBER-CEMENT-PANELS-FOR-INTERIOR-WALLS.jpg

https://www.synjete.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FIBER-CEMENT-PANELS-FOR-INTERIOR-WALLS.jpg

For those who decide to make it as a DIY project, gather all the materials needed from the online stores. Make a list of needed supplies after doing some research. After that, choose the trusted internet marketplaces and begin shopping.

For the first-timers, they might be unsure about what products to buy and how much material it needs. Just purchase them for the wall. After that, the exact estimation might be clear for the entire project. Do not order too much, it will be a waste of budget.

Do not forget to look at the reviews when choosing between brands. Choose the one that has an excellent reputation with a great delivery service. You can visit the Lowes, Amazon, The Home Depot, and Wayfair.

Conclusion

After all, you now know that there are various types of walls. Each of them has their specialty and features. Your choice of a wall could affect the construction, design, and style of the house. Have the one that could provide the comfort you need for a house.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *