Wall Type

SKETCH Advantages and

Disadvantages

Concrete Masonry Unit Adv.= Flexibility in exterior

(CMU) cladding materials to design
facades which allow for more
interest and curb appeal.A
major disadvantage of
concrete block walls is
the cost.
Components
1) Face shell Material that
creates the front and back of
the unit

2) Webs Material that

connects the face shells
together

3) Cells Open areas

between the webs that allow
for the placement of
reinforcement, grout or
insulation

At least 2
inches thick
Cast-in-Place concrete Adv- high level of strength

Disadv- labor

Thermal insulation

Tilt-up Concrete Advantages of tilt-up load

bearing wall panels:

Adv.

1. Speed of getting the wall

panels placed as compared to
masonry

2. Architectural freedom for

pattern design on the finished
wall and exterior wall finish

3. fire resistance, durability, low

maintenance, lower insurance
rates

4. insulation for tilt up concrete

exceeds masonry and wood
frame construction

5. tilt up building are easily

expandable

Disadvantages:

1. Complicated reinforcing
patterns and layout of openings

2. Lifting panels requires

specialized equipment and third
party engineering to calculate
the lifting loads

3. Connections between the

panels for the resistance of
lateral forces are somewhat
unwieldy at times

4. Having to cast a separate

concrete pad for the casting of
 the panels themselves.

5. roof connections require third

party trades for chemical anchor
bolts.

5. Bracing the panels back to

the concrete floor until the roof
is attached - have to plug holes
in the floor.

Light Gauge Metal Advs.- Lighter foundations

Framing system flexibility and faster
installation.

Disadvs.- More inefficient or

eccentric designs must be
compensated for by using
heavier gauge material and/or
more fasteners.

Curtain Wall One major advantage of

today's curtain wall is that
it can be constructed from
much lighter materials like
glass, which allows for the
filtration of natural light into
the building.
One of the major
disadvantages of curtain
walls is the need for
regular maintenance. In
order to keep out moisture
and wind, a sealant must
be applied to the
perimeter, and this sealant
must be replaced every 10
years or so.