Which Type Of Wall Do I Have Inside?

Interior house walls are made from seven materials: Drywall, found on newer homes, nailed up over wood studs and painted, and Plaster, found in older houses. Understanding the materials and construction behind these walls can help make better choices when it comes to maintenance, renovation, and decoration.

There are three basic types of walls: Drywall, Beaver Board, Masonite, Wood boards, and Wood veneer paneling. Drywall and plaster look very similar and can be difficult to tell apart. Some interior wall options are aesthetically pleasing and more durable than drywall.

When remodeling or building your home from scratch, there are a couple of decisions you need to make. To determine the type of wall you have, look for cracks and flaking paint, which can help you determine whether you have plaster walls or drywall.

To determine the supporting structure and surface material, tap on the wall with your fist. A stud wall will be hollow, while plaster is made of limestone. If the wall feels solid everywhere, it likely has a skim plaster finish.

To uncover if your home has hidden brick interior walls, identify the type of structure: double brick, brick veneer, or triple brick. By understanding the materials and construction behind these walls, you can make better choices when it comes to maintenance, renovation, and decoration.

Do I have drywall or solid wall?

To identify drywall in a home, use a push pin to press it into a hidden area. If it doesn’t fit, it’s likely plaster, concrete, or brick. If it doesn’t, it’s likely drywall. To see behind an outlet cover or switch plate, remove it. In a drywalled home, you’ll see an enclosed electric box and drywall cut around the opening. Drywall looks like chalky gypsum with paper on either side.

How do I know if my walls are solid or cavity walls?

In order to ascertain whether a door or window is constructed with a cavity wall or a solid wall, it is necessary to measure the distance between the external and internal walls using a tape measure. In the event that the wall in question exceeds 260mm in thickness, it is probable that the wall is a cavity wall.

Can you drill into plaster walls?

Identifying if a wall is plaster or masonry is crucial for drilling techniques. For plaster walls, regular drilling techniques can be used, provided proper precautions are taken, such as using anchors and ensuring the drill bit is suitable. For brick or other masonry walls, diamond drilling is a suitable technique, using diamond-tipped drill bits that can cut through tough materials like brick. If you’re unsure about your drilling skills or if your wall is masonry, it’s recommended to consult professional diamond drilling companies to ensure a safe and efficient project.

How do you know what’s inside a wall?

A stud finder can provide a detailed view of a wall’s construction by mapping the studs and examining the stud cavities. Electrical fixtures on either side of the wall can also provide information on wiring locations. If possible, look at the base of the wall from the basement or crawlspace and at the top from the attic. Protective plates installed by the builder can also be detected using a magnet.

Some stud finders also include an AC detector to trace any electric wiring in the wall. In general, plumbing is run directly to its required location, so if there are no pipes in the basement or crawlspace or vents to the attic and roof, there may be no pipes in the wall.

What type of interior wall do I have?

Identifying different wall types can be challenging, but the most basic method is to tap your wall with your fist. A stud wall will sound hollow, while lathe and plaster walls will sound hollow. Solid walls will sound solid to the ear. If unsure, drill a small exploratory hole to determine the type. Be cautious of concealed cables or pipe work. Don’t drill directly above sockets and light switches. Purchasing a stud finder can help identify wooden studs, hidden cables, and pipe work.

How to determine what wall is made of?

The pushpin test is a method used by experts to determine the type of wall being worked on. It involves using a pushpin to press it on the wall, with a pushpin piercing easily into drywall. Plaster walls are more resistant to nails due to the flexing of laths. If a nail gets into plaster, the hole is slightly larger than the nail. If a pushpin is not available, knocking continuously sideways can be used. A hollow sound followed by a dense sound when reaching a stud indicates drywall, while a thick sound is heard on plaster.

How do I know if my wall is a cavity wall?

A cavity wall is a type of wall that is typically built after 1920 and can be identified by its brick work on the exterior leaf, a regular brick pattern, or by measuring the width of the wall. If the wall is more than 260mm thick, it is likely a cavity wall, while anything thinner is likely a solid wall. Most homes with cavity walls are eligible for insulation, and if built within the last two decades, it likely had insulation installed. Insulation can be installed if the wall cavity is at least 50mm wide and both leaves are in good condition.

To determine if you already have insulation installed, check your EPC rating (between A and C) and look for draughts in your house. If they come from the walls, it’s a sign that you don’t have cavity wall insulation installed.

How do I know if my wall is plaster or drywall?

The Pushpin Test is a fail-safe method to determine the type of wall materials in a home. It involves pushing a thumbtack through the wall to determine if it penetrates drywall or plaster. If it doesn’t, plaster is the material. However, using a hammer on plaster can cause cracking, so it’s not recommended. If you can’t push the pin through the wall with your hands, it’s not a good idea. For more information on hanging items on plaster vs. drywall, check out our tips for hanging items on plaster. For new construction projects, a detailed comparison of plaster vs. drywall is also available.

How do you tell if you can remove an interior wall?

The wall’s joists are oriented perpendicular, indicating a 90-degree angle of entry. Conversely, if they are oriented parallel, the angle of entry is 90 degrees.

What are the three types of walls?

Load-bearing walls are crucial for supporting the upper floors and roof of a building, carrying the load from floor supports to the foundation. They are highly reliable and strong, having the highest thickness among all types of walls. When planning a detached house, it is essential to consider both the type of structures and the types of loads experienced by load-bearing walls. These walls are divided into exterior and interior types, with external walls supporting loads from upper floors and roofs, and interior walls supporting their mass and acting as partitions within the building. Load-bearing walls experience two types of loads: vertical and horizontal, caused by gravity, slabs, and operational factors, and thrust from trusses and wind effects.

What are the different types of internal walls?

Load bearing and non-load bearing internal walls are structurally distinct types. Load bearing walls support roofs, flooring, beams, or other walls directly above them, requiring stronger walls and additional support underneath. They often require a foundation trench. Non-load bearing walls, on the other hand, are less durable and serve as room dividers. They are easier to alter and replace. Knowing the type of internal wall is crucial when renovating a house, as it can significantly impact the amount of work required. Load bearing walls require more consideration, while non-load bearing walls can be easily knocked through or replaced.