What Type of Wall Do I Have? A Guide to Common Wall Types in Your Home
When choosing a shelf, understanding the type of wall you’re working with is crucial. Different walls have unique structures, which affect their strength, soundproofing, insulation, and how you can safely attach things to them.
Here, we’ll explore the three most common wall types found in homes: masonry walls, dot and dab walls, and stud walls. The Interior Hut manufactures a wide range of shelves for all wall types.
Let’s break down what sets them apart and how you can identify them.
Masonry Wall (Brick/Block Often Covered in Plaster)
Masonry walls are made of solid materials such as bricks, blocks, or stone, and are often coated with a layer of plaster to create a smooth, finished surface. These walls are durable, long-lasting, and load-bearing, meaning they often form the structural core of a building.
How to Identify a Masonry Wall:
- Solid Feel: Knock on the wall—it will sound dense and solid.
- Heaviness: Masonry walls are thick and heavy.
- Fixings: Drilling into masonry requires a masonry drill bit and wall plugs to secure fixings.
Our fixings for this wall type include a wall plug and long bolt to safely attach to the wall.
Dot and Dab Wall (Brick Wall with Plasterboard Cover)
Dot and dab walls are essentially brick or block walls that have been covered with plasterboard using adhesive "dabs" to attach the boards. This method is quicker and cheaper than plastering directly onto the masonry and provides a flat surface for decorating.
How to Identify a Dot and Dab Wall:
- Hollow Sound: Tap on the wall, and you’ll hear hollow spots between the adhesive patches.
- Edges and Fixtures: If you can see behind an electrical socket or near the skirting, you might spot the gap between the plasterboard and the brick.
- Thermal Properties: Dot and dab walls tend to feel warmer to the touch than a plain masonry wall.
Our fixings for this wall type are longer to allow the wall plug and bolt to pass through the plasterboard and into the brick behind.
Stud Wall (Timber Frame with Plasterboard)
A stud wall is constructed with a timber (or sometimes metal) frame, which is then covered with plasterboard. These walls are non-load-bearing and commonly used to divide spaces within a home.
How to Identify a Stud Wall:
- Hollow Sound: Like dot and dab walls, stud walls sound hollow when tapped, but the hollow sound is more uniform.
- Stud Detection: Using a stud finder, you can locate the timber frame inside.
- Flexibility: Light pressure on the wall might cause slight movement, as they are not as rigid as masonry walls.
Our fixings for this wall type include a specialist plug to either safely attach to the plasterboard, or, into the timber frame.
Correctly understanding your wall type will allow you to safely mount your shelf to your wall.