what are the layers of an exterior wall

How many layers are in an exterior wall?

The reality is in standard construction you build things in five or six layers. This is the standard in terms of building a wall system more efficiently and we have gotten it down to a science. Generally a six layer home will give you a solid, energy efficient, comfortable home.

What are the three layers of a wall?

In the first case, its construction is based on the construction of three layers: bearing, insulation and curtain wall, before even the roof is made.

What are layers of wall called?

Those sections, from top to bottom, are: Wall exterior; Wall interior (i.e. the stud or framed wall); and. Typical wall layers (exterior wall).

What is behind exterior walls?

0:164:13Home Inspection - Exterior Walls - Part 1 of 3 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake up the inside portion of the wall. What is seen from the outside is the exterior walls veneerMoreMake up the inside portion of the wall. What is seen from the outside is the exterior walls veneer which grew made of stucco brick. Siding or some other material.

How do you build an exterior wall?

How to Build an Exterior WallStart by outlining your wall in chalk, directly on the slab or subfloor. ... Mark your top and bottom sill plates for studs. ... Using a chop saw or similar tool, cut your wall studs out of 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. ... Cut a corner post for each end of the wall.More items...•Dec 21, 2018

How are house walls built?

Wall Construction After the deck or floor has been constructed, you're ready to construct and erect the walls. The walls consist of sole plates nailed to the subflooring, or anchored with anchor bolts to the concrete slab. Studs are nailed to the sole plates and top plates are nailed to the studs.

What is the outside layer of a house called?

Siding is the term for the exterior walls of the home. The most common types are vinyl, aluminum, and brick.

What are the layers to building a house?

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Home Building ProcessPrepare Construction Site and Pour Foundation.Complete Rough Framing.Complete Rough Plumbing, Electrical and HVAC.Install Insulation.Complete Drywall and Interior Fixtures; Start Exterior Finishes.Finish Interior Trim; Install Exterior Walkways and Driveway.More items...

What is a wall section?

A Wall Section is a technical drawing that lets you see inside a wall. Rarely will a wall be made of just one solid material. Most often what you see on the outside is not all there is on the inside!

How thick is a typical exterior wall?

The interior walls are usually about 5.5 inches thick, and the exterior walls are about 7.5 inches. If you are drawing a floor plan of an existing house, measure the walls' thickness on the doors and windows.

How do you finish an outside wall?

3:266:30Exterior Siding: Prepping the Wall and Nailing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have the nail go just above the lap. Because you don't want to have these two pieces of woodMoreYou have the nail go just above the lap. Because you don't want to have these two pieces of wood nail together you want to you want to let them move independently from each other wood moves.

Do exterior walls have studs?

Wall studs exist to hold up drywall on interior walls and wood sheathing on exterior walls. This means you will always find a stud, header, or footer on the top, bottom, or corners of walls. You may be asking, “How far apart are studs?” The distance between studs varies slightly depending on the age of the home.Mar 28, 2022

Where are the control layers on a perfect wall?

In Lstiburek’s perfect wall, all the control layers are on the exterior side of the framing , creating a durable assembly. But this is rarely the way walls are built—most homes have insulation inside the wall cavities, and many have an interior vapor retarder of some sort.

What is wall sleeves?

Wall Sleeves: The Accessory You Never Knew You Needed. The first time I came by the term “control layer” was in a 2010 Building Science Corporation article called “ The Perfect Wall ,” written by the firm’s principal, Joseph Lstiburek.

What are the four control layers in a building envelope?

These are the four primary control layers in a building envelope, which separates the indoor conditioned space of a home from the outdoors.

Which control layer is the most important?

The water control layer is the most important. The first control layer is for bulk water or liquid water, redundant terms used to make a clear distinction between water and water vapor, which is the third control. Architect Steve Baczek told me that water is the first and most important control, followed in order by air, vapor, and temperature.

What is vapor control layer?

a vapor control layer. a thermal control layer. A point to this importance thing here, if you can’t keep the rain out don’t waste your time on the air. If you can’t keep the air out don’t waste your time on the vapor.

When we build out of rocks, what do we need to protect?

When we built out of rocks the rocks didn’t need much protection. When we build out of steel and wood we need to protect the steel and wood. And since most of the bad stuff comes from outside the best place to control the bad stuff is on the outside of the structure before it gets to the structure.

Does insulation protect the structure from heat and cold?

If we put the insulation on the inside of the structure the insulation does not protect the structure from heat and cold. Remember we really do want to protect that darn structure—especially for the sake of making the structural engineers life more happy.

What is cladding in a building?

The term “cladding” is widely used to describe several building envelope materials, components and systems. Exterior cladding is in most cases the first defense barrier against bulk rainwater penetration. Wet Zone: Refers to a section of the exterior wall system that is designed for exposure to the short- and long-term effects ...

Can exterior walls hold moisture?

Many materials used in exterior wall design and construction can safely hold a significant moisture level. However, some materials suffer moisture deterioration and failure over time, when exposed to repeated and prolonged wetting.

What Are The Layers Of A Wall?

The various layers of a wall will determine its ultimate thickness. Typically, going from the inside of the wall to the outside, you’ll have between 4 and 5 layers of materials. Starting on the interior, these layers are sheetrock, the stud wall, weather barrier, sheathing, and siding.

Determining Exterior Wall Thickness

Since there’s no set exterior wall thickness, the only way to determine it is to add the individual components. So, if using vinyl siding, rigid foam sheathing, and 2 x 4 studs, you’d get about 5 ½ inches thickness.

How Thick Are Exterior Brick Walls?

Brick walls are often considerably thicker than other wall types. Usually, you’ll have at least 4 inches of thickness added with a brick if using it as siding. This is when one layer of bricks is laid horizontally.

How Thick Are Concrete Walls?

Another option for exterior walls is using concrete walls. Standard concrete walls are about 6 inches thick. However, areas with high winds usually need at least 8 inches. Insulated concrete form (ICF) walls typically have a standard thickness of 12 inches.

Can Exterior Walls Be Too Thick?

Undoubtedly, thicker exterior walls can increase energy efficiency, stability, and features like added storage inside walls. However, thick walls also come with some drawbacks that you should consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

For an interior wall, the size of the framing will pretty much dictate the overall thickness. You have the drywall and the frame to consider. Most interior walls use ½-inch thick drywall, and a piece usually goes on either side of the framing.

What is brick wall?

Brick Walls. Brick is one of the most widely used materials in the construction and housing industry. Working with bricks can be a little tricky and confusing. Some contractors have paid the price for failing to execute a few simple steps, with costly reparations after the job has been completed.

What is tilt up wall construction?

Tilt-Up wall construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.The methodology enables walls to be constructed elsewhere and transported to any project site, or to be built onsite, reducing labor conflicts and logistics. The process is aimed at reducing construction costs, speed the project and reduce labor con gestion on site.

What is house wrap?

House wrap is defined as all synthetic materials replacing sheathing paper. House wraps are a lightweight material wider than asphalt designs, allowing a faster installation procedure by builders and contractors.

What happens when a wall ignites?

When an exterior wall ignites, the fire can spread to the roof, windows, doors, and other building components resulting in substantial damage or total loss of the structure. The resistance of exterior walls to burning and decay is directly related to the material used and the amount of fire ignition components in ...

Can exterior walls be finished?

Exterior walls can be finished with a wide array of materials and techniques. Exterior wall finishes can produce significant savings for the contractor and building occupant alike, and many options are available to protect from fire, extreme heat and cold. Browse through all of these options featuring advantages, tips, ...

What is exterior wall sheathing?

Exterior wall sheathing strengthens the wall system, provides a nailing base for the siding, and gives a layer of protection against outside elements. Exterior wall sheathing is either structural or non-structural. Structural exterior wall sheathing ties framing studs together, making the walls resistant to twisting and bending. However, most structural exterior wall sheathings lack insulation value. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing works with the building’s envelope to provide added insulation. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing also prevents intrusion of either water or wind and, in some cases, it acts as a radiant barrier. There are several structural and non-structural exterior wall sheathing options available to home and commercial buildings.

What is structural sheathing?

Structural sheathing gives a home or commercial building integrity and rigidity. It provides a surface for the application of materials, like siding, and helps shield a structure from rain, snow, wind, etc. Five common structural exterior sheathing options include wood-based, gypsum, glass mat, cement board, and Barricade® Thermo-Brace®.

What is OSB sheathing?

Oriented strand board (OSB) is a durable panel sheathing made from hundreds of thin wood strands that are hot pressed onto sheets with a wax and resin adhesive. OSB is available in sizes up to 8 feet wide and 16 foot long.

What is glass mat sheathing?

Glass mat sheathing is like gypsum board but uses a fiberglass barrier instead of a paper material on the outside. Often used for commercial buildings. Cement board structural sheathing is Portland cement, reinforced with glass-fiber mesh that creates a sheet that attaches easily to a wall.

Does exterior sheathing provide insulation?

However, most structural exterior wall sheathings lack insulation value. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing works with the building’s envelope to provide added insulation. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing also prevents intrusion of either water or wind and, in some cases, it acts as a radiant barrier.

Is gypsum sheathing a fire barrier?

It is also known as drywall, wallboard, or plasterboard. Gypsum sheathing is fire-resistant, sound-reducing, durable, economical, and versatile. However, gypsum retains dampness and should not be used on outside walls, in bathrooms and laundry rooms, and other damp areas. Glass mat sheathing is like gypsum board but uses a fiberglass barrier ...

What is exterior sheathing?

Exterior sheathing is a board or panel that may be made of several different materials. It’s installed over the exterior walls of the home, and can have several purposes from lending structural support to helping to insulate the home.

Why is sheathing important for exterior?

Whether you’re adding it for strength and stability or to increase the energy efficiency of the home, sheathing is the right material for the job.

What is gypsum sheathing?

Gypsum Exterior Wall Sheathing. Gypsum sheathing is a type of sheetrock meant to be used in exterior applications. It may be combined with fiberglass or it may simply be made of gypsum and given a waterproof exterior finish.

How much does it cost to install gypsum sheathing?

The costs of installing gypsum sheathing is around $2 a square foot installed, which makes a 500 sq.ft. installation cost roughly $1,000 when complete. This includes both labor at roughly $700, and materials at roughly $300. How to Install Gypsum Exterior Wall Sheathing.

How much does structural fiberboard cost?

Structural fiberboard has a range of costs depending on its other benefits, and the range of insulation it has. It can cost $12 to $30 a sheet, so assuming a 500 square foot installation, it can cost $690 to $990 for materials and installation. How to Install Structural Fiberboard Exterior Sheathing.

What is non structural sheathing?

Non structural sheathing is the material used when helping to create the tight building envelope that most people want these days to help lower energy bills. Non structural sheathing is applied either to the exterior or interior of structural sheathing and is used to help insulate the home. Image Credit: Buildipedia.com.

Is gypsum sheathing fireproof?

Gypsum Exterior Wall Sheathing Pros. Gypsum she athing is completely fireproof, which makes it an excellent material for use on the exterior of homes and buildings located in areas prone to wildfires and natural disasters.