Advanced wall systems in construction are one of the most important parts of any development. Modern methods of construction – most notably off-site manufacturing – are rapidly changing the landscape and providing superior alternatives to traditional wall systems.
When we talk about ‘wall systems’ in construction, we mean everything which goes into the creation of partition walls on a building development. In the case of traditional blockwork, plasterboard and metal frame SFS systems, this requires the gathering and storage of many different elements on-site which need to be built in layers over time in a particular order. This is a time-consuming process which comes with many downsides and pitfalls such as a high level of waste, the additional labour requirements, the longer installation process and the potential for lower fire safety ratings.
In contrast, modular or prefabricated walls offer several advantages over on-site construction. To take Specwall as an example, the panels are manufactured off-site in a factory controlled environment which is cleaner, faster and more reliable when it comes to the quality of each panel. Additionally, it offers more flexibility as the walls are built to the exact specifications of the plans, and they can be delivered to site for installation exactly when they are needed rather than sitting about taking up space for weeks or months on end.
Finally, manufacturing walls off-site means that there will be no delays due to adverse weather conditions. Read on below for more about how Specwall offers advantages in this area.
What are the components of a wall system?
The components of a wall system include everything that goes into it during construction. For a traditional wall system, this means layer upon layer of blockwork, plasterboard, plaster and finish – and this is one of the main disadvantages of AAC block systems.
Due to being made of solid, lightweight panels, the aforementioned Specwall system has a major advantage in this area. The off-site manufacturing which defines the Specwall advanced wall system means that the panels are delivered to sit and then installed as single pieces with all acoustic, fire and insulation ratings inherent to them.
This means that only a single-visit construction process is required, cutting down on build time, cost and more when using Specwall, giving you all the advantages of modern methods of construction for your development.
What other common issues with wall systems does Specwall address?
Further to the above, Specwall is also resistant to damage from water and mould, which cuts down on inevitable material waste during the construction process. Specwall can be installed or stored in wet conditions with no ill effects, and can be put up before the building is watertight – providing further benefits when it comes to programme time.
Specwall is also a more sustainable wall system than traditional wall systems as it is 100% recyclable, including any dust generated during construction, thanks to its inert cementitious nature. Even the off-cuts can be reused on site as construction continues.
Furthermore, the panels are reusable in-situ at a later date if needed and can be reconfigured to create new floor plans as desired. This increases the sustainability of the Specwall system even further compared to traditional systems which cannot be reconfigured or reused in this way. As the focus on sustainability in the built environment becomes clearer in the future, this feature of Specwall will become even more valuable.
To learn more about how Specwall can improve your development, get in touch with our team today.
Get in Touch 