Standard Wall Thickness

If you’re curious about the standard wall thickness, this article covers it. We’ll discuss the various standard thicknesses of the inside and outer walls.

We’ll also outline some points to consider when establishing a new home or extension.

Width of a Wall

Do you intend to erect or modify a new home, garage, or shed? You’ll figure out the typical dimension of the walls. It’ll help you make the necessary plans beforehand.

These include knowing the materials required for the project, and building regulations, among other critical components.

• Typical Wall Thickness

Personal preferences count when it comes to choosing a wall thickness. Some people want their walls to have extra thickness. That’s because it will make their home feel oppressive.

Similarly, some people want to give their old properties with very thick walls some character. They aim to create a feeling of coziness.

Now, the standard thickness of walls depends on a couple of coefficients. They are building regulations and wall types. However, a wall with a peak of 70 feet must have a width of 12 inches.

That said, if there’s a higher peak of 70 feet, the wall width can be raised by an extra 4 inches. This will provide support for the additional weight of the structure.

No matter the supplies used, any thickness outside this limit is excessive.

• Typical Interior Wall Thickness

Most homes and industrial buildings typically use 4-inch studs for interior walls.

This site provides ample space for wiring and plumbing to run smoothly through each stud. This further prevents obstruction caused by additional materials such as drywall or insulation.

As for manufactured homes, the wall gauge relies on several factors. The size and style of the house. While some use a 3/8-inch drywall panel, others have thicker walls to support the extra weight.

The thicker walls also add rigidity and sturdiness to carry additional loads from heavier items. We refer to furniture and appliances.

• Standard Exterior Wall Thickness

Exterior walls are typically built to offer solidity and insulation against outside temperatures. Therefore, the international residential code requires exterior walls to have a minimum thickness of 9–12 inches.

This will ensure you meet the essentials for standard building design.

However, you must know that no regulation limits the thickness of exterior walls. Depending on your insulation and structural needs, you can use this standard or even more.

To add strength to your wall, consider adding 2 x 4 studs. This will make attaching PVC, metal pipes, or wires easier without weakening the wall.

Other Standard Wall Thickness Based on Materials

Walls are made of different materials, each with a unique standard thickness.

They include Structural Insulated Panel (SIP), concrete, drywall, lumber, plywood, and brick walls. Let’s briefly review a few of these walls.

• Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Wall Thickness

SIP walls are designed to provide superior thermal performance. Therefore, it’s designed with two layers of oriented strand board separated by an insulating foam.

However, the width of the wall relies on its class. But many SIP walls have a value of 4 to 6 inches. Such a type of wall is ideal for commercial buildings.

• Drywall Thickness

You can also call it plasterboard, gypsum board, or sheetrock. The wall consists of gypsum plaster as the significant component. But it’s mixed with water and poured into a mold.

Drywalls typically have a standard thickness of ½ inch. But you can have several thicknesses, including 5/8 and ¾ inches.

• Plywood Wall Thickness

Plywood can also be used for the construction of interior walls. It can be a sheet of wood veneer glued with a unique adhesive.

The grade of such surfaces relies on the number of stacks in each sheet. Nevertheless, most plywood surfaces have a size that varies from 1/8 to 5/8 inches.

• Lumber Wall Thickness

Similarly, lumber can also be used for walls. But the thickness of the wall depends on the type of lumber used.

IRC recommends a standard thickness of 2×4 inches and 2×6 inches for lumber wall thickness. While you can opt for other sizes, these two thicknesses are the most common.

• Brick Wall Thickness

Brick walls are classified into three classes.

We have load-bearing, non-load-bearing, and external walls. The following paragraph will discuss the standard thickness of these types of fences.

Non-Load Bearing Wall Thickness

A non-load-bearing wall is otherwise called a partition. It’s used to separate rooms or offices. The wall can also hold lightweight items like interior doors, shelves, etc.

Drywall construction is the best for non-load-bearing partitions.

The partition has a standard thickness of 11.5 cm. However, you can also take partitions with ratings ranging from 5.2 cm to 7.1 cm.

Load Bearing Wall Thickness

Load-bearing walls are also perfect for interior partitioning. Such internal walls with extra loads are structured with a 25 cm thickness.

This will enable the surface to bear the load conveniently. For internal load-bearing walls intended for partitioning inner rooms, a thickness of 6.5 cm is perfect.

Factors Influencing the Thickness of Walls

Several factors can influence the thickness of structural walls. They include the materials used, the climatic region of the building, the building, and the nature of the finish.

Concerning material influence, the properties of items you’ll use to construct walls can significantly impact their thickness.

Usually, materials vary based on thermal conductivity, heat resistance to frost, strength, types of loads, and installation method.

Furthermore, some climatic factors can impact the thickness of walls, depending on your climatic region.

These elements include solar radiation, wind direction, minimum and maximum temperatures, etc. How fewer and more vast the number of your floors is can also influence the wall thickness.

Tips for Deciding on Wall Thickness

A few things need to be considered when deciding on wall thickness. They include architectural style, temperature control, energy conservation, and dimension stability.

Others are plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, water and chemical resistance. Once you take notice of these variables, you can settle on the best level for your barrier.

Walls are a crucial aspect of construction.

Besides sealing the space, they insulate the building against noise and clouds. Additionally, they support the roof’s structural elements, among others.

But when choosing a wall thickness, there are no set rules.

While true, you must know the standard thickness recommended for different boiling designs. Above are some types of walls and their standard thicknesses.