The construction of partitions in a new building, the choice of material. What is better to make interior partitions? Material - brick

To divide the common space of a large room or redevelop the entire apartment, many homeowners dismantle old and erect new partitions. When planning such alterations of living space, it must be remembered that only partitions that do not perform a bearing function can be installed and demolished. Alterations associated with the reconstruction of the main walls can only be made according to a carefully developed and comprehensively calculated architectural project approved by the relevant organization. This is due to the fact that the supporting structure of the house has a precisely calculated structure, which should not be weakened or overloaded. And it is impossible to determine the possibility of dismantling or installing a main wall on your own, without having the appropriate knowledge and skills.

A logical conclusion suggests itself - space-dividing structures installed in the premises of multi-storey buildings should be as light as possible. Therefore, the owners often have a question about what is better to make partitions in an apartment so that they become functional, have a neat look that fits into the overall interior and do not create an unacceptably high load on the overall structure of the house.

The first step is to decide which partition is planned to be built, and for what purpose it will be installed. The fact is that separating structures can be of different types and have different purposes.

So, for example, partitions can be divided into two categories - they are stationary and mobile. In turn, designs can be divided into solid or decorative. To understand in which cases this or that option is established, it is necessary to consider what they are.

Stationary partitions

Stationary partitions can be solid or only conditionally divide the room into several zones.

  • Stationary solid partition is installed in cases where it is necessary to completely fence off one of the areas of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apartment, turning it into a separate full-fledged room or into a utility room. Most often, such a reconstruction is carried out when one of the premises of the apartment has a large area, and there are not enough separate rooms for all family members.

In addition, this approach very often has to be resorted to when arranging an apartment in a new building. It is no secret that in recent years, the practice of renting residential buildings with apartments consisting of a bathroom, a kitchen area and one or two spacious empty areas. At the same time, in the process of finishing work, the future apartment owners themselves determine how many rooms they need, and then on their own, or by attracting builders, one large room is divided by solid stationary partitions. This type of enclosing structures is able to provide a separate room, so to speak, privacy, the required level of sound and heat insulation.

  • Stationary decorative partitions. This design option is chosen in cases where one room needs to be divided into separate zones. For example, in one of them place a sleeping place, and in the other - install a desktop or arrange a play part of the room for a child.

This option is quite often chosen for the children's room, since the separation of the various actions of the child implicitly accustoms him to order.

However, sometimes such a division of a large room is also used for a one-room apartment, when it is simply necessary to separate the sleeping area from the one that will be considered. They are also used to separate the kitchen from the dining room and in other similar cases.

Decorative partitions, as a rule, do not have a continuous surface. They are usually made, for example, in the form of racks with numerous shelves of different heights and widths.

Movable partitions

Movable enclosing structures can also either completely cover part of the room, or hide only a certain section of it from prying eyes.

  • Movable solid partitions. Such structures are most often not lined up, but installed ready-made, since certain mechanisms must be used to move them. Sliding partitions are installed like compartment doors, so if necessary, one or two of their parts can be moved. Thus, there will be a unification of space - this is why movable partitions are convenient.

The disadvantage of these structures is that they do not provide any serious soundproofing of the enclosed space. So, if behind such a partition one of the family members decides to listen to music, then it will be heard throughout the apartment.

Sometimes movable partitions are installed instead of the wall separating the room and the loggia (in the opening instead of the removed window and door block). Due to the fact that this section of the wall is not load-bearing, it is often dismantled in order to increase the usable area.

With such an application, a sliding partition, when closed in the heat of summer, will help keep the room cool. In winter, it will create an additional layer between the wide window of the loggia and the interior, preventing the cooled air from penetrating into the room without hindrance. In addition, the loggia can be used as a completely separate room, for example, if you need to retire for work or leisure. Or, with one movement of the hand, combine it with a large room, significantly expanding it. Usually, partitions covering a window, especially in cases where it is the only one in the room, are made of glass, using a transparent or matte material for this.

Another variant of movable partitions is a folding structure - "accordion". It can either block an overly wide interior opening, or divide a room into two rooms, or into two zones.

This type of construction is unable to provide complete sound and heat insulation, but it can perfectly hide a sleeping place or, for example, a kitchen room, which is combined with a dining room ( ) by a wide opening. In part, this design can be attributed to the decorative options for movable partitions.

  • Movable decorative partitions. This category includes lightweight structures that perform the function of only a visual overlap of space, without providing zones with any sound insulation at all.

Such partitions can be located from ceiling to floor or not reach the ceiling surface.

Lightweight movable structures can be made in the form of an "accordion" or open and close like a blind. The latter are especially appropriate in a one-room apartment, as they can be completely moved to one side if necessary to combine space.

Movable decorative partitions include their portable version - screens, which today have practically gone out of design fashion. Although, judging by the comments on the forums, many quite acutely feel the lack of this item in the interior.

The advantage of the screen lies in its extremely high "mobility". That is, it can, if desired, be moved to any place in an apartment or room, and if there is no need for it, simply fold it and put it against the wall, hiding it behind the curtains, or put it in a closet. It is clear that in order to install a screen, no plans, projects, drawings, assembly instructions, etc. are required at all. It usually has a small weight, moving it to the right time and place is the simplest task.

The screen, by and large, will be even more correctly attributed to pieces of furniture. This accessory most often consists of frame frames interconnected by furniture hinges. Any available material can be fixed to the frame - it can be plywood, fabric, panels woven from bamboo straw and much more that will fit well into the intended interior.

Later in this In this article, we will consider only stationary partitions. Those readers who are more interested in sliding structures can be recommended to go to other publications of our portal.

How to mount sliding doors or partitions yourself?

The use of such systems allows you to optimize space, which is especially important for apartments with a small area. One of the articles on our portal talks about a different type. And the other provides detailed step-by-step instructions for.

Materials for the construction of stationary partitions

If it is decided to build a stationary version of the partition in the apartment, then you will have to decide what to build it from.

In cases where, for some reason, it is necessary to replace the old partition with a new one, it is often possible to use the same material from which the first one was built. In old houses, brick was most often used for this purpose. However, it is quite possible to replace it with modern designs - the main thing is that the materials used for this purpose do not exceed those previously used in weight.

If the partition will be mounted in a place where it has never been, then it is recommended to legitimize such an alteration in advance. That is, obtain permission from the relevant organizations, which will evaluate the possibilities of building a house and the ability of floors to withstand additional walls made of one or another material.

So, in order to decide on the choice of material for installing the partition, it is worth considering different options.

brick partition

If permission has been obtained to build a brick partition, then you should know some information about the technical features of this material, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

For laying partitions, solid brick and having voids can be used. It is quite obvious that for internal partitioning structures it is best to use a hollow version, since it has less weight, higher thermal and sound insulation qualities. Thus, the density of a solid brick is 1600÷1900 kg/m³, and the density of a material having internal voids is 1200÷1500 kg/m³

To virtues Partitions built of bricks can be safely attributed to the following qualities of the material:

  • Fairly high soundproofing properties of masonry. So, such partitions, built of solid red brick, lined with a plaster layer on both sides, have the following sound insulation index:

- Masonry in two bricks, 530 mm thick, taking into account the plaster layer - 60 dB. Very good, however, this thickness is categorically not suitable for partitions in apartment buildings. The fact is that it will give too high additional load on the supporting structures of the building.

- Masonry in one brick with a thickness (including plaster) of 260 ÷ 270 mm - 54 dB. A wall of this thickness may be permitted in rooms on the lower floors of an apartment building.

– Half-brick masonry, having a thickness of 130÷150mm together with plaster - 48 dB. This is - most favorable and the most commonly used option for the construction of interior partitions.

The sound insulation index is considered normal for walls, which is 50 ÷ 52 dB.

  • Brick is an environmentally friendly material, as it is made from natural raw materials. In the process of its production, no toxic substances are used, and the masonry will never emit harmful fumes into the environment.
  • Brick is resistant to moisture, so it is used without any restrictions to create partitions in bathrooms, showers, etc.
  • There is no doubt the strength and durability of properly executed brickwork.

To shortcomings brick as a material for the construction of internal partitions can be attributed to the following features:

  • Considerable the weight of the material creates a high load on the supporting structure of the house. So, a square meter of half-brick masonry, made of solid brick, whose weight is 3.3 ÷ 4.3 kg, is 95.7 ÷ 124.7 kg, since 29 products are required for laying one square meter. One hollow brick has a weight of about 2.5 kg. This means that 1 m² of masonry will give an additional load of an average of 72.5 kg.
  • Due to the small size of the brick, the construction of the partition takes quite a lot of time.
  • Good skills in masonry technology are required. Only at first sight it seems that laying a brick is simple, however, some skill is needed in this work, otherwise the wall will turn out to be crooked. If there is no experience of a bricklayer, then you will have to invite a qualified master, and his work is not cheap - this means that you will have to "fork out" for additional costs. Judging by the ads of the craftsmen offering their services, the cost of work for one "square" is approximately comparable to the price of a brick that will go into laying such an area.
  • After completion of the masonry, as a rule, plaster work follows. And they, in turn, not only take a lot of time, given the drying of the solution, but also add dirt to the room. In addition, plastering a surface with a high quality result is also a very difficult task, accessible to a master finisher with considerable experience.
  • Do not forget that the plastered surface also requires decorative finishing - this is also a fairly large amount of work and considerable funds.
  • The need for a large amount of materials for the manufacture of masonry mortar, which will have to be purchased, delivered to the house and raised to the floor, should also be taken into account. . For reference - laying 1 m² of a half-brick partition will require a minimum of about 10 kg of cement and 30 kg of sand.

Having studied all the details of building a brick wall, you should immediately assess your strengths and financial capabilities. And also think about the fact that it might make sense to dwell on another, less difficult material for self-assembly.

Partition of foam concrete blocks

Foam concrete and aerated concrete are materials similar to each other, from which blocks are made for the construction of both external walls and internal partitions. To understand what they are, it is necessary to study their characteristics.

This material is obtained by mixing cement, sand and foaming agent with the addition of water to them. Thanks to the foaming agent, closed air bubbles are formed in the structure of the solution, which increase the volume of the material by almost five times, giving it a cellular gas-filled structure.

Foam concrete has good performance characteristics, quite suitable for the construction of partitions. Therefore, such material has become very widespread in new buildings, when the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apartment is divided into separate rooms.

Foam concrete blocks can be characterized by the following indicators.

  • Strength. The foamed solution, hardening at natural temperatures, gains the required design strength after about 28 days. During operation, the strength indicators increase. So, if after 28 days after manufacture it is 1.0, then after a year it is already 1.5, and after five years - 1.8 MPa.
  • Thermal insulation qualities. The thermal conductivity of foam blocks of low density (those used for partitions) is only 0.10–0.16 W / m² × ° With. Therefore, in rooms separated by such partitions, both heat in winter and coolness in summer will be equally well preserved.
  • Breathability. Foam concrete is a "breathable" material, therefore, the air in the rooms does not stagnate. This means that there will be no stagnation of moisture in the material, and pockets of mold will not form on the walls.
  • Soundproofing. If it is necessary that this indicator be as high as possible, a material of lower density should be chosen for the partition. In such blocks, a more pronounced porous air-filled a structure that is both a good insulation and effective sound insulation. Therefore, for partitions, foam blocks of the D 400 ÷ 600 brand are most often chosen.

According to the requirements of SNiP, the sound insulation index for fencing structures should be 52–60 dB. However, the foam blocks are a little short of this value, since their sound insulation index is at a thickness of 200 mm - 40 dB, 250 mm - 42 dB, 300 mm - 45 dB. So the brick has higher soundproofing qualities.

  • Frost resistance. This parameter is not particularly important for internal partitions, but a few words must also be said about it. Foam blocks are resistant to temperature extremes, and their frost resistance is F35 - F70. The digital indicator indicates the number of cycles of complete freezing and thawing that the material is able to withstand without violating the internal structure of the blocks and without losing its performance characteristics.

  • Material shrinkage. Foam concrete masonry practically does not shrink, or rather, it is no more than 2.5 ÷ 3 mm per square meter. This, of course, applies to material that has gained brand strength. Therefore, finishing work on the surfaces of the partition can be started almost immediately after the erection of the wall.
  • Foam blocks do not contain toxic substances, so they can be called environmentally friendly material.
  • Processing of foam blocks. The material is easily cut with a regular hacksaw. Therefore, to fit the blocks when the need arises, no special tools or equipment are required, no special skills are needed.
  • Material weight and dimensions. Foam blocks can have different sizes, however, the following are considered the most popular for partitions - length 600 mm, height 300 mm, thickness from 100 to 200 mm. In terms of mass, there is a significant gain compared to even hollow bricks (on average, almost 2.5 times).

The mass of one block of standard sizes, depending on the brand of foam concrete

(brand in this case is considered an indicator of the density of the material, kg / m³)

There are many other standards for the production of foam concrete blocks. Dimensions in length and height can be different, but it makes no sense to make the thickness for partitions more than 150, maximum 200 mm. This is an excessive weighting of the structure, and unjustified costs of material resources and physical strength, and an uneconomical attitude towards the usable area of ​​the resulting rooms.

  • moisture absorption. Due to the fact that the blocks are quite hygroscopic, that is, they absorb moisture well, their weight, which is indicated in the table, corresponds to 75% of air humidity. So, moisture absorption foam concrete is up to 14% of the total mass, while brick has an indicator of 12%. As you can see, the difference is not particularly significant, especially since the partitions will still be lined with decorative trim, which will become a protective layer against direct water ingress on the surface.
  • The price of foam blocks. The cost of a cubic meter of this material is 2÷2.5 times lower than for a brick.

Due to their size and relatively low weight, foam blocks are convenient both in transportation and in masonry. It is quite understandable - instead of several bricks that need to be adjusted to each other, one block is laid, which greatly speeds up the work. In addition, the brick is laid out on the mortar, with a seam thickness of at least 5 mm. The installation of foam concrete partitions is usually carried out on special adhesives, which are used very economically. And the thickness of the seam at the same time almost never exceeds 2.5 ÷ 3 mm, and sometimes less.

So, having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics of foam concrete, we can conclude that a partition erected from it will cost less than a brick version. And due to the fact that the blocks have quite large dimensions with a small mass and usually a very accurate "geometry", of which it is quite possible to try to fold the partition yourself.

How many blocks or bricks will be needed for a partition?

If the option of a partition made of brick or gas silicate blocks is chosen, then you can immediately calculate the required amount of material. To do this, we suggest using the online calculator below.

A few notes on working with it:

  • The first step is to specify the dimensions of the partition - its length and height.
  • Doorways are often arranged in the partition, where, of course, masonry is not carried out. So you can specify the number of such openings and their dimensions - their area will be subtracted from the total.
  • Next, a choice is made - gas silicate blocks or bricks. In accordance with the choice, the necessary fields will appear for specifying the dimensions of the material, and for brick - also the type of masonry - half-brick or brick.
  • For gas silicate blocks, the thickness of the seam, due to its insignificance compared to the dimensions of the blocks themselves, is not taken into account. For brick, calculations will be carried out taking into account the thickness of the seam of 5 mm.
  • The construction of the partition can be carried out almost without waste. However, a small margin never hurts. In the last input field, you can specify which material reserve to include in the calculation.
  • The final value will be shown in pieces. Accordingly, based on the chosen direction of calculation - blocks or bricks.

The space of any apartment and private house consists of separate functional volumes - living rooms and auxiliary premises - a kitchen, a bathroom and a pantry.

To create them, partitions are required - wall structures of various configurations. They are usually built simultaneously with the construction of the outer walls.

However, during the reconstruction of premises, it is very often necessary to change the internal layout. This task cannot be solved without dismantling the old and installing new partitions. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in more detail the question of what the partition can be made of so that it is durable, absorbs noise well and looks aesthetically pleasing.

Materials and designs of wall partitions

For a long time, red brick served as the main building material for partitions. The construction of it turned out to be strong and rigid, however, it was imperfect in terms of its heat and sound insulating qualities.

In addition, the laying of small-sized bricks is very laborious and impossible without experience and practical skills. The large weight of the brickwork requires the construction of a solid concrete foundation or a powerful foundation in the form of a reinforced concrete floor slab.

Gradually, brick in partition structures began to be replaced with lighter ones made of gypsum. They have a large surface area and a locking system of joints, so they are assembled several times faster than brickwork.

High sound permeability - a significant drawback of all gypsum boards, had to be eliminated using sound-absorbing plaster or sheet materials with a fibrous structure.

Today, in addition to brick and gypsum boards, blocks of foam and aerated concrete, polycarbonate, drywall, chipboard and plywood are used for the construction of partitions. The expediency of using each specific material is determined depending on the properties that the partition should have.

Gas silicate and foam concrete blocks

If you need high thermal insulation and strength, then the partition is best made in one piece. For this, they are optimally suited.

It can also be used for this work, but it gets off worse with plasters, because it has a closed cell structure.

Manufacturers of cellular concrete today produce blocks with a thickness of 10 to 15 cm, specially designed for the installation of light interior partitions.

It should be noted that expanded clay concrete blocks are also used in partition structures. However, they are almost twice as heavy as aerated concrete and isolate noise worse.

When building a partition from gypsum boards, expanded clay blocks, gas or foam concrete, special attention must be paid to the quality of fastening to the base and ceiling of the first and last rows of masonry. In addition, at the joints with the floor, ceiling and walls, it is necessary to lay a tape of fibrous soundproofing material in order to cut off structural noise from the partition.

Blocks are laid with dressing of seams in height. This guarantees the solidity and strength of the structure.

Frame partitions

It is possible to quickly and efficiently build interior partitions using frame technology. Its basis is usually a light steel profile, and drywall is used as a cladding.

You can reduce the cost of such a design by buying wooden bars instead of a steel profile. It is necessary to choose only the most even and well-dried wood, without defects in the form of falling knots, blue and slant. Otherwise, the wooden frame will be deformed and cracks will appear on the surface of the drywall.

An important advantage of frame partitions is the ease of insulation and thermal insulation. In the internal space of such structures, you can place any type of insulation (mineral wool, ecowool, foam plastic, sawdust or shavings).

When choosing foam, remember that it retains heat well, but is not an effective sound insulator. Therefore, to reduce the noise level, use fibrous materials in partitions - ecowool or mineral wool.

In addition to drywall sheets for sheathing the frame, you can purchase more durable materials - plywood or chipboard. Possessing high rigidity and low weight, they are inferior to drywall in terms of ease of finishing.

For application on such surfaces, you need to use a fiberglass mesh, and when pasting with wallpaper - high-quality adhesives.

Polycarbonate

In order to make the walls in the house transparent to sunlight, you can use polycarbonate. Unlike ordinary glass, this material is safe and lightweight.

Polycarbonate partitions are easy to assemble and durable in operation. In addition, sheets of honeycomb structure retain heat well and have soundproofing qualities. They are optimally suited for creating sliding structures, with which you can transform the interior space of the room.

A wide range of colors and aesthetic appearance of sheet polycarbonate make it the basic material for decorating interiors in the most modern style. The polycarbonate partition made of aluminum profiles can have any shape, so it naturally fits into the most complex layout.

Sandwich panels

These structures are usually used to install partitions in prefabricated buildings with a steel supporting frame. The outer surfaces of the "sandwich" are made of galvanized painted steel, placing inside a foam or polyurethane foam insulation 8-10 cm thick.

In residential buildings, which are built according to the so-called "Canadian technology", ready-made sandwich partitions are installed from OSB boards, inside of which there is a foam polystyrene insulation.

Despite the good energy saving performance, the environmental friendliness of such structures, especially when installed inside residential premises, still causes a lot of heated discussions.

Partitions made of wood

Here you need to highlight the frame structures and solid wood partitions. The best place for their installation is the premises in a house made of timber or logs. Here, a wooden structure will be appropriate and aesthetic even without additional external decor.

For sheathing a wooden frame, you can use a lining or blockhouse, selecting material for the main finish of the load-bearing walls. The process of sheathing a frame structure is not difficult even for beginners, since all facing molded wood products have tongue-and-groove joints.

To eliminate the risk of warping of wood, the choice of material must be taken responsibly, choosing products not of natural moisture, but of chamber drying and high grade (not lower than the first). When assembling such a partition, use special clamps, and not self-tapping screws, which spoil the appearance of the surface.

Before starting the assembly, do not forget to treat the frame bars and all facing material with a special compound that will protect it from fire and dampness.

The construction of internal partitions from a bar has no fundamental differences from chopped walls. It is best to use profiled material for this work. It is very tightly connected into a common array and does not warp as much as wood without tongue-and-groove cutting of the docking planes.

Mounting steel plates must be used at the point of contact between the beam and the outer wooden wall. They will increase the spatial rigidity of the entire structure and will not spoil the appearance, since they will be hidden between the bars in a layer of fibrous sealant.

Cutting into an existing wooden wall in a built house is not practical. This will significantly complicate the work and reduce the energy-saving characteristics of the external fence.

When redevelopment, the question always arises about interior partitions - what is better to make, how to make and what properties it will then have.

In construction, there are more than a dozen types of partitions used in. All of them have both advantages and disadvantages.

Brick partitions are a classic.

They are durable, can be used in damp and even wet rooms, and are also resistant to temperature effects.

They hold well any fasteners that can be used to hang various items.

A good bricklayer quickly works with bricks and it will take him one or two days to build a partition of 12-15 squares.

Masonry is carried out on a cement or cement-lime mortar with a plasticizer. Reinforcement is laid every 4 rows, and from the edges the partition is anchored to the main walls with the help of metal pins.

Two types of brick laying are used - ordinary laying on spoons and laying on the edge. For laying on the edge, only solid bricks are used. Laying on spoons is more time-consuming, and for it they use not an ordinary brick with a thickness of 65 mm, but a thickened one with a thickness of 88 mm. This allows you to speed up the construction of the partition by 30-40%. However, the partition laid on the edge is less durable, and it is not allowed to make strobes for electrical wiring in it.

When a partition is erected, they ask themselves: if we compare a brick partition with any other interior partition, what is better? An ordinary brick partition is quite low in terms of soundproofing properties. Nevertheless, the partition, laid on a plate, meets all sanitary requirements for sound insulation within one apartment for one family.

When laying a brick partition between adjacent apartments, laying is carried out in two parallel walls, between which a layer of mineral wool is made. The walls are interconnected using inserts from.

Typically, such masonry is carried out on an edge in two walls, every four rows are reinforced and connected with brick inserts through four bricks, the masonry is carried out on both walls synchronously. A solid thick brick wall is not used - the floor slab will not withstand it, and it will cost more. Between the room and the bathroom, it is necessary to lay the partition on the plate, and between the bathroom and the kitchen, the bathroom and the hallway, it is allowed on the edge.

Of the minuses - a rather high cost, the largest weight, requires full-fledged plaster and increased requirements for the qualifications of workers during construction. Of the benefits - durability, strength, load-bearing capacity, hygiene.

Partition of aerated concrete blocks

Aerated concrete blocks are the cheapest option for partitions.

Masonry is carried out from blocks with a thickness of 100, 150, 200 and 250 mm.

Blocks are laid both on glue and on mortar.

Block glue is preferable - working with it is much faster, and you do not need to wait until the solution grabs so that the wall does not “float”.

However, the first row is still brought to the solution and allowed to seize - this takes a day.

When laying, they reinforce - they reinforce by making strobes in blocks on top of each row, fill them with glue and lay bars with a diameter of 4-8 mm there. It is convenient to make strobes in blocks with a milling cutter before laying in the wall, you can use a cheap drywall router. Also, every 2 rows, the partition is anchored to the wall. When laying on a mortar, they are reinforced with an ordinary masonry mesh, as for a brick, or bars with a thickness of 3-4 mm are laid. Reinforce every two rows.

The sound insulation of aerated concrete partitions is at a high level - they protect against noise much better than bricks. For an interior partition, a thickness of 100 mm is sufficient.

If you want increased sound insulation, you can do it, as in the case of a brick, lay it in two rows and between them. In this case, the wall does not need to be connected to another wall. Or there is another option - to use a wall of greater thickness. When laying with a thickness of 250 mm, excellent sound insulation is obtained, and it will cost less than a double wall with mineral wool in the middle.

The process of erecting partitions allows you to make them fairly even, which eliminates further. You just need to putty in several layers to hide the bumps. Putty is made with both cement and gypsum and polymer compositions.

The disadvantages of an aerated concrete partition are that it does not meet fire safety standards for escape routes; it is impossible to enclose a staircase or an elevator shaft with it. There are also fixable problems with holding fasteners in it - special fasteners for aerated concrete are required if they want to fasten something heavy, such as a shelf with heavy books or a horizontal bar.

Drywall - the most prefabricated partitions

If you are still thinking about which interior partitions to choose, what is better to do so that you don’t have to daydream a lot with finishing - drywall will be ideal.

The fact is that they allow a minimum layer of putty.

True, in this case, you will have to process the drywall seams with a sickle mesh.

Also, drywall must be primed very well before painting and before wallpapering - otherwise the paint from its surface will come out on the finish.

The ideal option is to paste over the walls with smooth interlining before subsequent painting or wallpapering, or even use interlining under.

Plasterboard partitions are hollow. They consist of two layers of drywall, fixed to the frame on both sides. This allows you to place sound insulation inside, because the partitions themselves have practically no sound insulation. However, this also affects their cost - mineral wool is quite expensive.

Gating in such partitions is not required - the thickness of the frame will make it possible to place not only electrical wiring in such partitions, but also rather thick water supply pipes.

There are certain difficulties with fastening heavy shelves on drywall. If they want to fix this, they first outline its position. Then, a wooden board at least 25 cm wide (depending on the weight of the shelf) is fastened under the drywall from the back side and fastened with self-tapping screws in increments of 10-15 mm. Already then, through a layer of drywall, with the help of simple self-tapping screws, hooks are fixed on which they are hung. If you need to fasten a special weight, then the fastening is done directly through the drywall to the frame.

When they don’t want to spoil the finish in order to fix something, they screw a wooden board or shield on top of the drywall with a frequent pitch of self-tapping screws. The board can then be painted, and already to fix what you want to it.

Other types of partitions

Of the other types of partitions, I would like to note tongue-and-groove slabs, ceramic hollow blocks and partitions made of boards plastered with lime on shingles.

Tongue-and-groove plates are a good option for those who do not want to suffer with chasing under an electrician.

Vertical strobes, however, will have to be done.

However, horizontal ones can be avoided - there are longitudinal voids in the blocks into which the wire is pulled in the corrugation.

Hiding pipes there is unlikely to work, but for wires - a good option. Like aerated concrete partitions, they require a minimum of finishing, but they are somewhat more expensive, heavier, have a small thickness and are incompatible with cement putty and. The fasteners are holding well. In terms of sound insulation, they are slightly better than aerated concrete due to voids.

Ceramic hollow blocks are also a good option. Their main drawback is that fasteners do not hold well in them, since most of the Euro-type blocks produced have a very thin wall. Blocks of the old type are devoid of this drawback - the wall in them is sufficient to withstand even heavy fasteners.

However, these blocks can be used in fire hazardous areas and in areas with high temperature and humidity, such as a home sauna or Turkish sauna.

In terms of sound insulation, these blocks are perfect for any room inside the apartment.

A partition made of boards plastered with lime on shingles is an option used in old houses.

There is practically no sound insulation here, the partition is afraid of water, it cannot be used in fire hazardous rooms. There will be a lot of dirt during work, as a large amount of plastering work is required.

Fasteners in it are kept medium - you need to drill to the very board. However, for the price of materials, it will cost the least. It is impossible to plaster on shingles with cement - they have different coefficients of thermal expansion, over time, cement plaster from shingles will begin to fall off, and the tree under the cement rots heavily in a number of complex ones. Lime is also a protection against decay, and adheres to shingles much better.

The video shows the installation of a partition made of KNAUF plaster:

What are the partitions in the apartment made of? To answer this question, you should first familiarize yourself with the existing materials and the conditions for their use. Today, the most diverse material is used for partitions in an apartment or residential building. Moreover, their type and overall dimensions depend on the purpose of the separated space. But before getting acquainted with the types of partitions, you should understand the very concept of dividing a room or zoning it.

What is the best way to make an interior partition so that the room is isolated from other rooms? Here it is better to use a denser or durable material that has high sound insulation performance. Such partitions in apartments are most often installed in order to create a separate room for children or a study. Not only soundproofing is important here, but also the vibration resistance of the walls. What is the alternative? Alternatively, the inner wall can be made of cheaper expanded clay blocks, gypsum blocks and foam blocks.

Internal partitions in the apartment are symbolic, and most often just decoration of the room. They only visually divide the room into two or more specific zones. Such interior partitions in an apartment are most often installed, for example, in the living room to separate the dining room and the recreation area; in the large bedroom, you can thus separate the work area (study) from the main area.

Construction of insulated walls

Insulated partition

Let's take a closer look at the methods of erecting insulated walls, for example, internal partitions made of foam blocks or expanded clay blocks in order to obtain a secluded space. But first of all, it should be noted that, according to generally accepted standards, blind partitions can only be installed in rooms with several sources of natural light, that is, in which there are two or more windows. If the partition will be erected in other places, then permission from the BTI and a new project will be required. Therefore, the first thing we consider is the conditions for installing partitions in an apartment.

Conditions for installing partitions in an apartment

It is forbidden to make capital partitions in the following cases:

  • in order to increase the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen, bathroom or toilet at the expense of living space;
  • in the same way, reduce the kitchen or bathroom in order to increase living space;
  • equip a sanitary unit above the kitchen of the neighbors below;
  • carry out the transfer of the kitchen to the living area;
  • if there is a gas stove, it is forbidden to combine the kitchen and living quarters;
  • divide the living space into two or more with one source of natural light (windows).

In addition to the places for installing partitions, you should also take into account some technical aspects that will determine what it is better to make interior partitions from. These include the following:

  • it is forbidden to demolish partitions in order to transfer them, if they are load-bearing;
  • installation of heavy partitions should be carried out only on a solid foundation (reinforced concrete monolithic, brick or block, with its density not less than D600, wall); in other cases, walls can be laid from foam blocks 10 cm thick or made according to the frame.

The table below compares several materials according to their physical characteristics, which are decisive when choosing a particular type.

The table shows that the warmest material is gas or gas silicate blocks for partitions in an apartment, but at the same time it has less strength due to its high porosity. The most durable material is brick, but due to the high density of the material, its weight is very large: 1 m 2 of masonry weighs 250 kg. In comparison with gas blocks, the weight of one element is from 5 to 10 kg with dimensions of 600x300x100 mm, they are more than 4 times heavier and, therefore, will create a greater load on the floors. As for soundproofing characteristics, gas blocks and foam blocks have better insulating properties due to the presence of many gas bubbles. But also from the table you can see how foam concrete differs from aerated concrete, the pros and cons of both types are obvious.

Types of materials for partitions

Brickwork

For the construction of partitions in rooms with high humidity, it is necessary to use a material with a low moisture absorption coefficient. This has a brick or green color. At the same time, it is better to use hollow material for partitions, since it has at least 30% less weight, but has the same strength.

Brickwork as a partition has several advantages:

  • high strength and load capacity;
  • bricks can be used to build walls of any curvilinear shape;
  • the material is resistant to humid environments and fungal formations; due to poor moisture absorption, it does not form at all.

But there are also disadvantages:

  • high weight of the partition;
  • high curvature of the surface after laying, which will require additional plastering, but in the case of tile installation, this does not play a special role;
  • high labor intensity of work;
  • lots of associated dirt.

Masonry brick calculator

Partitions from gas blocks and foam blocks

What is the difference between aerated concrete and foam concrete? These materials are quite similar to each other, but they have a number of differences, which are as follows:

  • Mode of production. Aerated concrete blocks are made by baking in autoclaves, unlike foam blocks, which harden under normal conditions and can be made directly at the construction site.
  • Chemical composition. They contain in their composition a greater amount of cement than in the first version, which makes them stronger and more moisture resistant.
  • Foam blocks are less susceptible to processing due to the greater proportion of cement.

Considering all of the above, we can confidently answer the question of what is stronger - a foam block or a gas block. Naturally foam block, but it has a lower thermal insulation coefficient. In particular, for the construction of partitions in an apartment, this does not play a big role.

If the base does not allow the construction of massive and very heavy interior walls, then an interior partition made of foam blocks would be an excellent option. But at the same time, it must always be faced without gaps using tiles, plaster and other means in the case of construction in rooms with high humidity.

Today on sale there is a wide variety of sizes of foam blocks and gas blocks for construction. But for the construction of partitions there are so-called partition blocks. Their sizes can be:

  • 600x300x100 mm;
  • 600x200x100 mm.

The interroom partition from blocks has a number of advantages:

  • Installation of partitions from foam blocks is carried out quite quickly due to the small weight of each block and its impressive size.
  • High rates of heat and sound insulation.
  • Good fire resistance.
  • High indicators of the geometry of the finished masonry.
  • Gas and foam blocks can be easily processed with any tools (chisel, hand saw, drill), but it is recommended to use a tool specially designed for this. The hacksaw should have a thick blade and be studded with large double teeth.
  • When laying partitions from foam blocks, doorways up to 80 cm wide can be made without the use of metal lintels, but only with the use of an adhesive mixture. More details about.

But just like with any other construction, there are some disadvantages due to the following:

  • Gas and foam blocks have deviations in geometric dimensions up to 2 mm, which indicates the need to level the wall with plaster mixtures.
  • To exclude the formation of fungus in damp and damp rooms, partitions must be treated with antiseptic protective agents. It must be 100% finished with plaster mixes.
  • The surface is less durable than brickwork.

tongue-and-groove slabs


Partition of tongue-and-groove slabs

Of no less interest are tongue-and-groove blocks or slabs for partitions in an apartment. This new material, which is based on gypsum, plasticizer and other hydrophobic additives to improve water resistance, has excellent geometric parameters. Also, each plate has a groove and a protrusion (ridge) in its structure to ensure perfect docking of the components among themselves, forming a single flat surface.

Gypsum blocks as a building masonry material have a number of advantages:

  • not combustible, and does not deform when exposed to fire for a long time;
  • they have excellent geometric parameters, unlike foam block partitions, which indicates a perfectly flat surface and no need for plaster;
  • easy to process with any tools;
  • have excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating properties;
  • have a relatively small weight, approximately equal in volume to a gas block;
  • on sale there are plates with voids, which without much difficulty allows you to make the wiring of all necessary communications;
  • the light weight of the plates and the large geometric dimensions of each block contribute to the rapid construction of walls and partitions;
  • the presence of a groove and a ridge makes the wall stronger than the laying of an interior partition made of foam blocks.

Like any other material, they have disadvantages:

  • comparatively low strength of the material;
  • high water absorption, up to destruction - for the construction of partitions in rooms with high humidity, it is necessary to use plates with special additives, they have a different green color than usual;
  • for the installation of plates, only special gypsum glue should be used.

Partitions from expanded clay concrete blocks


For interior partitions, they are also a good option, because they have good strength, sound and heat insulation, and most importantly, low cost. But one should take into account the fact that a more durable material has less heat retention properties. For the construction of partitions in the apartment, it is enough to use elements with large expanded clay granules. Expanded clay blocks also have pros and cons, which are described below:

  • the most fragile expanded clay concrete blocks have a moisture permeability coefficient much less than foam blocks, and is only 50% versus 85%;
  • a less durable expanded clay concrete block has a greater strength compared to a foam block, the indicator differs by almost half;
  • laying of expanded clay blocks can be carried out directly on a reinforced concrete base in an apartment, while gypsum or gas blocks should be mounted on a substrate to compensate for the temperature coefficient;

There are many designs of interior partitions, they can be used regardless of the materials from which the house is built. It is important to make partitions technologically correct and ensure that they meet exactly the requirements that are necessary for certain premises.

Among the vertical structures inside the house, load-bearing walls and partitions are distinguished. The first ones are supported by ceilings and roof structures, they themselves must be based on the foundation, and on the second floor - on the underlying wall. The position of the load-bearing walls on the plan of the house is rigidly fixed.

Interior partitions are not load-bearing structures. They only divide into separate rooms the interior space of the house, limited by the main walls. Therefore, they can be made both from heavy massive materials (for example, bricks) and from light ones (for example, drywall, wood). Soundproofing, environmental friendliness, aesthetics, and the possibility of redevelopment of space depend on the material and quality of the partitions.

Requirements for interior partitions

All interior partitions in the house must:

  • be strong and stable so as not to pose a danger to residents;
  • withstand the required service life, in some cases equal to the life of the house itself;
  • do not have cracks on the surface and at the junction with other structures (so as not to become a haven for insects, rodents and moisture storage).

In addition, there are special requirements:

  • for partitions of bathrooms and laundry rooms, resistance to moisture and steam is important. It is desirable to make them from waterproof materials, but the main thing is to prevent moisture from entering the structure. This problem is solved by facing made of waterproof material;
  • for partitions of the second floors and attics in houses with floors on wooden beams, light weight is important, since they can withstand less load than reinforced concrete;
  • if you need to illuminate the room in the back of the house, then it is better to use a translucent partition - made of glass blocks or structures with glass inserts;
  • for laying engineering communications (electrical wiring, chimneys, water pipes, etc.), a stationary partition of increased thickness is suitable;
  • the partition separating zones with different temperature conditions must be massive and guarantee high thermal insulation.

In most cases, the systems must provide soundproofing of the premises. Massive structures cope well with this task, and in light partitions, soundproofing material is used for this purpose between the skins.

Sound protection level

The airborne sound insulation index for interior partitions between rooms, a room and a kitchen, a room and a bathroom, according to regulatory requirements, should be at least 43 dB. The higher this indicator, the better the design prevents the spread of household noise - from colloquial speech, radio, TV. However, it does not take into account the isolation of low-frequency sounds of a home theater or working engineering equipment (ventilation, pumping). With equal indices of airborne sound insulation, a massive partition retains low-frequency sounds much better than a light frame one. It is also important to take into account that openings in the partition (for example, gaps in the doorway) significantly reduce the level of sound insulation. There are many nuances in matters of acoustics, and if for some reason it is important to perfectly soundproof the room, you should contact an acoustic engineer.

Traditional types of interior partitions provide a comfortable level of sound insulation. Structures made of massive and at the same time porous materials - ceramics, aerated concrete, gypsum concrete, shell rock - absorb and reflect sounds of any frequency well. Such partitions with a thickness of about 10 cm provide an acoustic insulation index of 35-40 dB, 15 cm thick - up to 50 dB. In order to, if necessary, improve the sound insulation of systems made of these materials, arrange an air gap between two rows of masonry or additionally line the wall with drywall.

Multi-layer constructions are also effective, in which external hard layers that reflect sound (for example, drywall sheets) are combined with soft layers that absorb it. In frame partitions, mats or slabs of basalt fiber are used as soft layers, which are laid between the lining. At the same time, the level of sound insulation of frame systems is the higher, the greater the mass and rigidity of the lining layers, the wider the gap between them and the better the insulating properties of the soft material. Therefore, noise absorption will significantly improve the use of a double layer of cladding and special sound-, rather than heat-insulating materials.

To achieve the same soundproofing effect, sometimes you have to choose between thick monolithic and narrow multilayer partitions. The latter is able to save usable space at home.

The places where the frames are attached to rigid structures, as well as the points of connection with the floor and ceiling, must be insulated with elastic gaskets.
As a middle layer, a material with a thickness of 100 mm or more is used (fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose insulation), for sheathing - GKL or GVL (12 mm)
Taking care of safety, electrical cables are laid in, and the freon tubes of the air conditioner are thermally insulated

The massive ones include partitions made of ceramic materials, shell rock, aerated concrete, silicate brick.

Application area

Such structures are used in houses made of appropriate materials with reinforced concrete floors. Aerated concrete partitions are undesirable for use in rooms with high humidity.

Materials and designs

Brick partitions are made of building ceramic or silicate bricks of at least M25 grade. The sufficient thickness of a single-layer system is 12 cm (half-brick), if the partition is small - 6.5 cm (made of brick laid on the edge). To improve sound insulation, the structures can be made three-layer - mineral wool (5 cm) is placed between two walls 6.5 cm thick or an air gap is left.

If ventilation ducts or pipelines are hidden in a brick partition (or part of it), its thickness reaches 38 cm. Such systems are already too heavy to be installed on the ceiling. On the first floor, they are supported on the foundation, on the second - on the wall of the lower floor. The traditional finish of a brick partition is 1-2 cm plaster.

In a house of ceramic blocks, partitions can be partially or completely made of the same material, namely from one layer of blocks 10-12 cm thick. For aerated concrete structures, blocks 8-12 cm thick are used in one layer. Partitions made of these materials are lighter than brick ones, they are beneficial to use if it is necessary to reduce the load on the floor, in addition, they are easier to finish.

Mounting

The installation of massive partitions begins after the installation of the supporting structures of the building. The base is leveled with a cement-sand mortar. To ensure accuracy when laying corners, a wooden (from shields) or metal template is used, the verticality of the masonry is checked with a plumb line. To connect the partitions with the walls, when laying the latter, grooves (strobes) 5-6 cm deep are left at the junction of the partitions. Bricks are inserted into them during the installation of the system. If the grooves are not left, the partition and the wall are connected with metal rods. Wooden wedges are hammered into the gap between the top of the partition and the ceiling, the gap is filled with gypsum mortar.

At the same time, the peculiarity of the installation of structures made of ceramic blocks and aerated concrete is that the large and precise dimensions of the blocks allow the bricklayer to work without templates. To ensure smooth lines, wooden slats are fixed on the floor and on the wall at the junction of the partition, along which blocks are laid out.

Zones of control

  • When constructing aerated concrete partitions, a waterproofing material (two layers of roofing material) is placed at their base.
  • If the length of a 12 cm thick brick partition exceeds 5 m or the height is more than 3 m, then the masonry is reinforced with mesh or wire rods, laying them in the mortar every 4-5 rows, and tying the ends of the reinforcement to the vertical and horizontal load-bearing structures of the building. Brick partitions 6.5 cm thick are reinforced at any length and thickness.
  • Aerated concrete blocks and ceramic blocks must be cut to ensure the dressing of the seams (two vertical seams should not be on top of each other).

On the basis of gypsum and various fillers, prefabricated large-sized slabs are produced for partitions.

Application area

Structures made of gypsum concrete slabs are used in houses with reinforced concrete and wooden floors. For rooms with high humidity, moisture-resistant plates treated with a water repellent are used.

Material and design

Gypsum concrete slabs can have dimensions of 30-50 x 80-125 cm and a thickness of 6, 8, 10 cm. Usually, grooves and protrusions are made along the edges of the slab, which ensure quick and durable assembly. The material is easy to cut and ditch for laying engineering communications in it. Partitions made of gypsum concrete are three times lighter than brick ones, they have a smooth and even surface. The thickness of the structure from one layer of plates is 6-10 cm. If it is necessary to improve the sound insulation of the room or lay pipelines in the partition, it is made double.

Mounting

The system is installed on a ceiling leveled with a cement-sand mortar, waterproofing made of roofing material is placed under the lower blocks. The template is made of two racks with a movable rail. The plates are installed on top of each other, as a rule, with the long side horizontal, with dressing of the seams. Gypsum mortar is used. Reinforcement is laid in horizontal seams and fixed in the walls that limit the partition. The gap between the ceiling and the partition is sealed with gypsum mortar. It is not necessary to plaster the plates, it is enough to putty.

Zones of control

  • Gypsum mortar should be prepared immediately before use, as it hardens quickly.
  • Metal rods that are laid between rows of plates must be treated with bituminous varnish.

General installation rules

  • In new buildings, before installing partitions, it is advisable to wait a few months after the erection of the supporting structures of the building so that they shrink.
  • Partitions are installed before the floor screed is made. Performing a screed or a rough wooden flooring in the future, a gasket of soundproof material 2 cm thick is made between the floor and the wall of the partition.
  • Installation of systems begins by marking their position with lines on the floor, walls and ceiling.
  • The structures are rigidly connected to the ceiling at the base and adjacent walls (or other partitions).

Video guide for the installation of partitions and non-load-bearing walls made of gypsum concrete slabs:

Basically, two types of partitions using wood are used - solid and frame.

Application area

Wooden partitions can be used in houses made of any materials, without reinforcing even wooden floors, they are ideal for the second floors of buildings and attics. Structures made of this material are easy to disassemble, so they are appropriate if redevelopment is possible in the future. In rooms with high humidity, wooden partitions must be protected with a waterproof finish.

Materials and designs

Solid wooden partitions are made of vertically standing boards that are the length of the floor and 4-6 cm thick. To improve sound insulation, the boards are installed in two rows, placing sound-proofing material or an air gap between them. The disadvantage of the design is the high material consumption and, accordingly, the cost, as well as the large weight compared to frame partitions. Systems based on a wooden frame are made from racks - bars with a section of 50-60 x 90-100 mm and upper and lower straps (horizontal bars that frame the frame) of the same section. Soundproof boards are laid between the frame posts. Sheathing is made of lining, plywood, OSB or GKL. At a partition of two rows of a frame with an air gap separating them or with a two-layer sheathing, the sound insulation index increases significantly. This design has a thickness of 15-18 cm, engineering communications can be mounted inside.

Mounting

At the base of the partition, a strapping beam is laid, which must firmly rest on the floor beams. The easiest way is to place it directly along the beam, and when placing the partition parallel or perpendicular to the beams, as well as diagonally, the beam is installed on a crossbar based on adjacent beams. To create a solid structure, two horizontal guides are fixed on the strapping, between which the boards are vertically installed, connecting them in the upper part with a fastening bar. When installing a frame partition, racks are placed on the strapping beam with a step of 40-60 cm (it is desirable that it matches the size of the cladding plates), combining them with an upper strapping. The frame elements are fastened together with nails or self-tapping screws, using metal corners. On the one hand, the sheathing is mounted, and then the space between the bars is filled with soundproofing. The frame structures are attached to the walls with metal crutches, to the sheathing - with self-tapping screws.

Zones of control

  • At the junction of the partition with adjacent structures, it is necessary to fix the metal mesh. This will prevent cracks from appearing.
  • In a wooden house, frame structures must be installed a year after the construction of the building (after its shrinkage). The distance between the top of the partition and the ceiling should be at least 10 cm. It is filled with tow and covered with triangular bars.

A special system for the installation of frame partitions made of (GCR), which provides for all the necessary elements, allows you to perform work especially quickly.

Application area

Lightweight GKL partitions can be used in houses of any design and materials and in any premises, even with high humidity (special moisture-resistant sheets are provided for such objects).

Materials and designs

The system includes metal frame profiles - horizontal guides and vertical rack-mounts (section 50-100 * 50 mm), as well as plasterboard sheathing 1.25 cm thick and 120 x 200-300 cm in size and soundproofing material. They use structures with one-, two- and three-layer sheathing, as well as on a double metal frame (with space for utilities). The level of soundproofing of a partition depends on the number of sheathing sheets, the thickness of the inner soundproofing layer, and the presence of an air gap. Depending on this, the thickness of a partition with a single skin can be from 7.5-12.5 (single) to 17.5-22.5 cm (double), and with a double skin and an air gap - respectively more.

Mounting

Structures are installed during finishing work before laying floor coverings, on a screed or ceiling. A polyurethane or foam rubber soundproof tape is glued onto horizontal profiles, and they are fixed to the floor and ceiling with dowels and screws (in increments of about 1 m). Rack profiles are installed in increments of 30, 40 or 60 cm. The frame sheathing is fixed on one side with self-tapping screws, soundproofing material is laid between the profiles. Then mount the skin on the other side of the partition. Irregularities in the lining and screw heads are sealed with putty.

Zones of control

  • To improve sound insulation, partitions are mounted to the supporting structures of the ceiling and only then drywall is installed.
  • The seams between the GKL should be putty in two steps.
  • To protect against cracks, the joints of the GKL between themselves and adjacent structures should be puttied by laying a reinforcing tape.

This video guide clearly demonstrates all the stages of building interior partitions from plasterboard sheets of small size (small format size):

To create partitions, glass blocks are produced, which are distinguished by a wide palette of colors, an assortment of surface textures and sizes.

Application area

Glass partitions are used so as not to block the access of natural light to the premises located in the back of the house.

Structures and materials

Glass blocks are hollow "bricks" with walls made of transparent or colored glass. Due to the presence of air inside, they have good soundproofing properties and transmit 50-80% of the light. As a rule, they are square in shape with dimensions of 19 x 19 cm or 24 x 24 cm and a thickness of 7.5 - 10 cm.

Mounting

Glass blocks are laid at the stage of finishing the premises after the installation of the screed and plastering of the walls, but before performing the finishing floor and finishing the walls and ceiling. Glass blocks can be laid on a cement screed. The process of laying them into the wall is similar to brickwork, but the seams are not dressed. The thickness of the seam is about 1 cm. A cement or cement-lime mortar is used, which is applied to the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the block itself before laying. From the point of view of aesthetics, high-quality jointing is required.

Zones of control

  • The adjunction of a partition made of glass blocks to the ceiling must necessarily be elastic, using cork gaskets, since glass is a fragile material, and the wall may crack when deformed.
  • It is better to lay glass blocks on white or colored cement, then the seams will look more aesthetic.

Prices

The final cost of a partition depends on many factors. Moisture-resistant and fire-resistant materials are more expensive than usual, the price increases the quantity and quality of finishes, frame and soundproofing material. The installation of a partition is 30-40% of the cost of the material, and its delivery and unloading, especially in the case of heavy materials, can be equivalent to their cost.