Advanced building materials                                                                     Dr. Manolia A. Ali
                                                                                                                   
                                                Floor and wall finishes 
                      
                     2. Wall finishes and the Materials used in Building Construction 
                     2.1. Introduction 
                     The prior function of wall is to separate spaces from each other vertically, 
                     but it  may also carry loads. Wall has to protect the space against the 
                     effects of water, moisture, heat, noise, light, fire, etc. Wall section can be 
                     analyzed in three layers; interior coating, core and exterior coating, as 
                     shown in Fig. (1). Core is the structural part of the wall and its primary 
                     function is load-bearing 
                                                                                                                    
                                                Fig. (1): Types of wall sections 
                      
                     Functions of the coatings can change depending on its position on the 
                     wall:-  
                         •   Exterior coating takes a role in forming the architectural character 
                             of the building. Also it has to be resistant to atmospheric, mechanic 
                             and chemical effects and easy to clean.  
                         •   Interior coating can also be named as interior finishing. It doesn't 
                             have direct contact with water or temperature changes; therefore it 
                             doesn't have heat and water problems. Finishing has to be porous 
                             enough to emit the noise and provide the acoustic balance. Interior 
                             finishing has to be nonflammable, vapor permeable and non-toxic.  
                      
                     Different  building  materials  can  be  used  as  interior  finishing.  Plaster, 
                     paint,  wood,  gypsum  panel,  sandwich  panel,  ceramic,  natural  stone, 
                     artificial stone, glass and metal can be used as wall finishing materials. 
                      
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                      Advanced building materials                                                                     Dr. Manolia A. Ali
                                                                                                                   
                     2.2 Types of walls 
                      
                         •   Load Bearing: walls support floors above and the roof.   
                         •   Partitions:  are  non-load  bearing  and  do  not  support  anything.  
                             They act as space dividers 
                         •   Moveable walls:  If space needs change often, you should consider 
                             using moveable walls.  Conference centers, office spaces, etc. 
                         •   Partial Walls:  walls that are less than ceiling height, offer visual 
                             privacy but not acoustical privacy.   
                         •   Spur/freestanding:  walls that do not join adjacent wall at both 
                             ends, like walls behind reception desks. 
                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                          Moveable walls 
                                                                                                                    
                                                    Spur or Freestanding wall 
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
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          Advanced building materials                                                                     Dr. Manolia A. Ali
                                               
         1.2 Types of wall finishes 
         Plaster: An old technique in which plaster is applied over the wallboard 
         or concrete block using a lath ,Fig.(2). Textures range from smooth to 
         stucco. It often chips and cracks as a house settles over the years. 
                                   
                      Fig.(2) plaster finish 
         Gypsum wallboard: Gypsum wallboard is the most commonly material 
         used to cover walls in interior projects. It is dependable material that is 
         quick  to  install  and  easy  to  repair.  Made  from  a  natural  crystallized 
         mineral, wallboard is naturally fire resistant and can also act as a sound 
         barrier.  The  joints  are  taped,  fill  the  hole  or  repair  and  sanded  so  the 
         seams do not show.  
                                              
                     Fig.(3) Gypsum wallboard 
          
         Woods:  Wood  comes  in  the  form  of  paneling,  and  plank  (such  as 
         flooring),  etc. It provides warmth and is a good insulator but it tends to 
         fade and is flammable.   
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          Advanced building materials                                                                     Dr. Manolia A. Ali
                                               
                                     
                       Fig(4): wood finish 
         Concrete  block:  Also  known  as  Concrete  Masonry  Unit  (CMU), 
         concrete block is a very common building material for the load-bearing 
         walls of buildings. This type of construction is very affordable and often 
         found in commercial and institutional applications. 
          
                                           
                     Fig.(5):Concrete block 
                             
         Tile  Cladding:  Different  tiles,  for  example,  granite,  marble  or  glazed 
         tiles are used for tile cladding. Tiles are available in a variety of colors 
         and shapes. The selection of tiles depends on the place where it is to be 
         applied .It can be installed one tile at a time or in sheets held together 
         with a mesh like backing. Tile provides easy maintenance, they are water 
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