Internal walls: Type

Technophobe

Hey all,

Can anyone help me out with a rough indication of whether my upstairs walls for say 4 bedrooms with 3 en-suite would work out cheaper to finish by Stud Walls methods or to just build by plain old block??

I have a lot of pipes already buried in a power-floated finished floor, and so will not be allowing any nailing to floors up there. Therefore, if I do go the Stud Wall route, I will be laying a soapbar block anyway and telling carpenters to build/nail studding from that….
The Stud wall specifications would be as follows if I go this route:

“All stud walls to be 75mm x 50mm studs at 400 centres bridged twice and filled with Rockwool Flexi 1200mm * 400mm wide sound insulation, finished on both sides with Rockwool Flexi 50mm slabs/12.5 Gypsum plasterboards , filled, taped and skimmed with 2 coats of skim to smooth finish. Lapped/stepped joint Boards to be used”.

If I go with block wall finish, I presume I would need to finish out with plasterboard? …and also assume that block wall would be a better sound and heat insulator?
Can anyone advise on all this and what the best finish to my block wall would be ???
BTW, I have radiators for heating upstairs (UFH downstairs) if this would help in the decision.

All thoughts appreciated

Thanks

Technophobe

If anyone has any experience or thoughts on this type of decision, I would be grateful for some thoughts or guidance....In all, it is about 50 linear metres of wall upstairs.....

From my (admittedly rough) cost calcs, I can't see much difference in costs in going the block wall route as you will save on Rockwool insulation, studding timber etc...

Anyone any views on which approach is better in terms of heating the rooms also (with Rads)..

thanks

sydthebeat

i assume youve a solid first floor...

i would always go with block walls where ever possible.... especially if costs are equitable...

advantages
1. feels securer
2. better noise reduction as fewer building elements penetrate the wall
3. can receive roof loadings if properly designed
4. less impact damage is possible (stud walls are prone to nail head popping..)
5. better fire resistance
6. good workmanship will leave a better plaster finish...

Technophobe

Hi Syd

Thanks for taking the time to reply…

Yea I have a solid 1st floor that is load bearing and so allows the use of blocks if I wish…
As I said, my cost estimations are guesswork to a degree but it’s good to hear that my thoughts re noise insulation, more secure walls etc are valid….Do you have any ideas which is a better heating choice? I would have thought blocks from the perspective that they are more solid and so should resist heat flow thru’ them??

Thanks again

sydthebeat

the whole theory of heating would be not to restrict heat movement internally, but to restrict heat loss to the external... your bedrooms will all be the same temperature so there will be no temp difference either side of the walls, thus the insulative property of the wall doesn't matter.

block walls have a better 'thermal inertia' than studs. This mean that on hot summer days the block walls help cool down the house by drawing in the heat like a sponge.. it then lets this stored heat out slowly as teh day cools and heat is required in the house.... this is called 'decrement delay'.

Carlow52

For all the reasons stated above, with a concrete first floor, block is your only man for sound reduction

I see no reason for PB on the block walls, more work and expense and will give a slightly less solid finish.

The one down side with block is chasing for electrics.

Don't let the sparks put a socket on both sides of the same wall from one chase: Have seen it done and it ruined the sound proofing between the 2 rooms