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Types of Wall Paneling
Types of Wall Paneling
A wall panel is single piece of material, usually flat and cut into a rectangular shape, that serves
as the visible and exposed covering for a wall. Wall panels are functional as well as decorative,
providing insulation and soundproofing, combined with uniformity of appearance, along with
some measure of durability or ease of replaceability. While there is no set size limit for a piece of
material fulfilling these functions, the maximum practical size for wall panels has been suggested
to be 24 feet by 8 feet, to allow for transportation.[1]
Use of wall panels can reduce construction costs by providing a consistent appearance to the
panelled surface without requiring the application of paint or another finishing material. Wall
panels may be finished on only one side, if the other side is going to be against a brick or
concrete wall, or a comparable structure.[2] Alternately, the panels may, if assembled to an
appropriate framework, substitute for having any other kind of wall at all. Holes may be cut or
drilled into a wall panel to accommodate electrical outlets and other devices coming out of the
wall.
There is a new type of eco friendly 3d wall panel made out of the fibrous residue of sugarcane.
This fibres of crushed sugarcane stalks, remaining after raw sugar is extracted from the juice of
the sugarcane by shredding it, is now the raw material, called bagasse, that forms the base of this
easily installed eco friendly product. The raw material used for these 3d wall panel is 100%
recycled, compostable and is therefore 100% biodegradable.[3]
2Tileboard
Tileboard panels are made from melamine or resin and are used to mimic the look of ceramic
tile. They are textured and colored to look like tile, and are attached to a moisture-resistant
backerboard. These panels are an affordable alternative to ceramic and are much easier to install.
Tileboard panels also do not have grout lines, which make for easier cleaning, as there is
nowhere for trapped dirt to accumulate.
3 Utility Paneling
Utility paneling, often called pegboard, is made from perforated hardboard and is used for its
function and appearance. These panels contain rows of small holes that can be used to hang
objects from nails or pegs. They are frequently used in kitchens or garages, as well as in
commercial applications. Utility paneling is available in standard white or natural wood finishes
and also in custom colors. These panels can be installed over the entire wall or just in small areas
as needed.
4 Acoustical Panels
Acoustical panels are used to control noise levels in a space and to block noise transfer through
walls. They're made from foam or wood cores wrapped with a layer of vinyl or fabric. The panels
help absorb sound and are commonly used n schools, auditoriums and hotels. These panels are
available in a wide variety of colors and textures to match the room's decor. Acoustical panels
can be installed temporarily using clips or magnets, or with nails or adhesive for more permanent
applications.
The standard, core-fill block, also called a "stretcher" block or "cinder" block, is the most
common type of block used to make partition, retaining and structural walls. The standard block
is a rectangle measuring 8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches. Viewed from above, the rectangle
reveals a set of two portioned cells. After stacking and mortaring layers of standard block, a
mason fills the hollow cells with concrete.
2Column Block
The square-shaped concrete column block is specially designed to form the exterior casing of a
cast concrete column. Like the standard core-fill block, the column block's interior is hollow.
Column blocks typically measure 12 inches square and 8 inches tall. Although standard blocks
may be used to construct block columns, the large interior cell of the column block generally
accommodates more reinforcing steel and results in stronger load-bearing capacity. To build with
column block, a mason stacks and mortars the block, inserts reinforcement bars into the block's
cell and pours concrete into the hollow.
3Slump Block
Slump block is a decorative variation of the standard core-fill concrete block. The concrete
mixture used to create slump blocks intentionally sags during curing. Contoured lumps cover the
exterior surface of slump block; the appearance of this block resembles the look of old adobe
buildings. Slump block, like standard core-fill block, has two interior cells. A mason stacks,
mortars and fills the block as usual. Slump block is usually available in grey and tan.
4Retaining-Wall Block
JOINT SEALANTS
Introduction
Sealants were used many hundreds of years ago. The Tower of Babel was reportedly built with
mortar and tar or pitch as a sealant. Naturally occurring bitumen and asphalt materials have been
widely accepted as sealants for many centuries. Prior to the 1900's most sealants evolved from
vegetable, animal, or mineral substances. The development of modern polymeric sealants
coincided with the development of the polymer industry itself, sometime in the early 1930's.
Joint sealants are used to seal joints and openings (gaps) between two or more substrates, and are
a critical component for building design and construction. The main purpose of sealants is to
prevent air, water, and other environmental elements from entering or exiting a structure while
permitting limited movement of the substrates. Specialty sealants are used in special
applications, such as for fire stops, electrical or thermal insulation, and aircraft applications.
Sealants are used for a variety of commercial and residential applications. Common sealants
include silicone, acrylic, urethane, butyl and other polymeric types. Various formulations have
been developed over the years, which meet performance specifications established by industry
standards, as well as for the specific and unique needs of the end user
Selection of Sealants
The proper application of a sealant involves not only choosing a material with appropriate
physical and chemical properties, but also having a good understanding of joint design,
substrates to be sealed, performance needed, and the economic costs involved in the installation
and maintenance of a joint sealant.
Typical considerations for selecting a sealant type for use in the construction industry are:
Joint Design: The specifics of a joint design must match up with a sealant's movement
capabilities for the installed conditions. The practicality of installation of the sealant and other
joint elements and the desired aesthetic appearance also need to be considered.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Properties of the sealant such as, modulus of
elasticity, its stress/strain recovery characteristics, tear strength, and fatigue resistance are all
factors that influence sealant performance in a joint. The sealant polymeric type along with
additives such as fillers and plasticizers will affect the performance of the product.
Durability Properties: The adhesion of a sealant to a specific substrate(s) and its aging
characteristics as they relate to resistance to among others ultra-violet radiation, moisture,
temperature, cyclic joint movement, movement during curing, and bio-degradation can
profoundly influence the service life of the installed sealant.
Application
Sealants are used to seal joints and openings in various architectural applications, which include:
Joint Types
Moving Joint (experiences cyclic movement)Joints where the shape and size of the sealant
joint changes significantly when movement occurs, for example, at control, expansion, lap, butt,
and stack joints
Static Joint (essentially non-moving)Joints that are mechanically fixed to prohibit movement,
generally defined as less than 7% of the joint width, for example, at isolation and control joints,
and air and water seals in windows and curtain walls)
Common Problems
Sealants are often the least thought about and contribute the lowest percentage to a project's
overall cost (less than 1%); however, they can become a serious, or for hidden or concealed
joints, impossible problem to correct when a sealed joint fails
There is both a science (joint design, adhesion and compatibility testing) and an art (sealant and
joint components installation) to successful completion of a functional sealant joint.
Sealants cannot make up for poor substrate conditions or improper or poor joint design. They
must have:
Proper joint design especially for joints that experience movement
Selection of a durable sealant product appropriate for its function and environmental exposure
Proper sealant, sealant backing, and joint filler installation
channel slabs
The channel slabs vary in size with a depth ranging from 9 to 12 in., width 2 to 5 ft,
and a thickness of 1 to 2 in. They have been used in spans up to 50 ft. If desired or
needed, the legs of the channels may be extended across the ends Figure 7-16.-Typical precast
panels. and, if used in combination with the top slabs. may be stiffened with occasional
cross ribs. Wire mesh may be used in the top slabs for reinforce- ment. The longitudinal grooves
located along the top of the channel legs may be grouted to form keys between adjacent
slabs.
double-T
The double-T slabs vary in size from 4 to 6 ft in width and 9 to 16 ft in depth. They have
been used in spans as long as 50 ft. When the top- slab size ranges from 1 1/2 to 2 in. in
thickness, it should be reinforced with wire mesh. The tongue-and-groove panel (fig. 7-16,
view C) could vary extensively in size, according to the design requirement. They are placed in
position much like tongue-and-groove lumber; that is, the tongue of one panel is placed
inside the groove of an adjacent panel. They are often used as decking panels in large
pier construction. Matching plates are ordinarily welded and used to connect the
supporting members to the floor and roof slabs. Panels precast in a horizontal position, in
a casting yard, or on the floor of the building, are ordinarily used in the makeup of bearing
and nonbearing WALLS and PARTITIONS.