Apartment complexes are wonderful, cozy places to reside in, especially if you live on your own or have a small family.
However, before selecting an apartment, there are a few elements you should carefully consider.
One of these elements is the walls. Your apartment walls will decide how much noise enters your apartment, how warm it gets, etc.
So today, let’s learn about what apartment walls are made of.
What Are Apartment Interior Walls Made Of?
Due to a lack of knowledge, many people living in apartments choose their homes without considering the material of the walls.
This results in people having to suffer through noisy apartments where the walls feel paper-thin.
Your apartment might even become super-hot during summertime if you don’t pay attention to the walls.
Without further ado, here are the different materials that are used to make the interior walls of an apartment.
Plywood Walls
Plywood is one of the most understated materials when it comes to apartment walls. That’s because it is basically a bunch of veneer wood sheets that are strongly glued together.
People often mistakenly write off plywood walls as being too thin and nondurable. In reality, plywood is actually quite a sturdy material for apartment walls.
The sturdiness comes from the many layers of veneer wood that are attached in a unique structure.
Each layer is swapped at a 90° angle to increase the material’s durability.
The different layers of veneer wood also help in reducing warping in your apartment walls. Moreover, plywood walls are absolutely beautiful, and they come at a lower price point.
This makes them an excellent choice if you want to include shelves around your apartment or create a built-in space for a closet.
Wooden Walls
Wooden walls are rather common, not just in apartment complexes but also in other houses and buildings.
Despite being a slightly more expensive option, wooden walls are preferred by people around the world.
Wood is one of the most commonly used materials for walls due to its durability and long life.
Most wooden walls are made of oak, teak, mahogany, maple, or cherry wood. All of these materials are exceptionally high quality and add wonderful charm to your apartment.
The same types of hardwood are also used to construct the ceilings and floors of your apartment.
However, for doors and other fixtures, a softwood material is preferred.
Acoustic Tiles on the Walls
One of the biggest complaints that people living in apartments have is the noise.
In an apartment unit, you can constantly hear the footsteps of the people living above.
You’re even forced to listen to their dog barking for food, their children throwing a ball around, and even the TV!
Luckily, this problem of needlessly shared noise can be eliminated if your apartment has acoustic tiles on the walls and ceilings.
Acoustic tiles are primarily valued because of their impressive ability to absorb all kinds of sounds.
They can also remit any excessive noise around your apartment unit, ensuring that most of it don’t enter your home.
The fact that acoustic tiles look super chic and mod further adds to their charm.
They are stylish, come at an affordable price point, and allow you to enjoy a full night’s sleep without any noise!
Cinderblock Walls
Cinderblocks are usually associated with the floors, but did you know that they can give your apartment walls a classy, industrialized look as well?
Most apartment complexes overlook cinderblock walls for poured concrete. However, cinderblock walls have a look and charm of their own.
These blocks are usually 16 inches long and 8 inches wide, with a hollowed center.
They rest on concrete footings for additional stability and are known for being some of the most durable materials for your walls.
Cinderblock walls can also be further reinforced with steel rebar to create an even stronger foundation.
Apart from interior walls, cinderblocks are also used to make counters and quick shelving around the apartment. Just make sure not to use glossy paint over your cinderblocks!
Steel-Sheeted Walls
Although sheet sheets are an expensive material for apartment walls, people often prefer them due to the numerous benefits they offer.
Steel-sheeted walls are extremely durable, and they add notable strength to your walls.
This is a great advantage as you won’t have to worry about your walls chipping away or cracking while you add shelves and other home accessories.
Aside from durability and strength, steel-sheeted walls also have flexibility as one of their features. That’s because the sheets can bend without cracking if an external force is applied to them.
These features have made steel sheets a rather popular choice for most contemporary apartments. They also make your walls look better.
The range of finishes available in steel sheets ensures that you can create your perfect look in each room.
Stone Walls
Stone walls are a popular choice for interior apartment walls.
They come in various forms, shapes, and styles and they do a marvelous job of adding an old-timey feel to your apartment.
Being a rather ancient concept, stone walls are used nowadays with numerous modifications made to them.
They require expert masonry construction and maintenance to ensure their best look.
Stone walls are highly reliable and can last for decades without chipping or cracking if they are well-maintained. The locally available material ensures that they come at a rather economical price.
The most common materials used for stone walls include sandstone, granite, limestone, and Portland stone.
You can easily pick and choose your favorite materials for the look you’re aiming to create.
Some of these materials are resistant to weathering, so they will outlast most of your apartment walls.
What Are Apartment Exterior Walls Made Of?
Now that you know about the different materials that make the interior walls of your apartment, there is one more thing to consider. What about the exterior walls of your apartment?
Many different materials are used to make exterior apartment walls. You can learn more about them below!
Stucco Walls
Stucco walls are often confused with plaster, but they are actually quite different.
Stucco is one of the most common materials used for exterior apartment walls. It is made of a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and water, making it quite strong and durable.
This is one of the most sought-after materials used in exterior walls in the U.S and is particularly found in apartment complexes with a Spanish or Mexican architectural influence.
The biggest advantage of using stucco in the exterior walls is its fire-resistant abilities. This adds a layer of safety to your apartment unit.
It is also easy to apply with a hand trowel or handgun, reducing energy costs and keeping your apartment’s carbon footprint at a minimal amount.
Brick Walls
Brick is one of the oldest and most commonly used materials for exterior apartment walls.
It is made of clay, shale, and fire clay that are formed and dried in a kiln at extremely high temperatures.
Brick walls offer your apartment a classic look, and their durability further makes them a great choice for exterior walls. These brick walls can be textured, glazed, or even coated.
In general, most apartments have brick walls that are placed in two layers. This results in durable exterior walls that can support high structural loads.
Some apartments use brick veneers that are on the thinner sides. They work better in the form of brick panels and offer an ideal amount of insulation to your apartment.
However, it is important to keep in mind that brick veneers don’t take on heavy loads well.
Brick walls are long-lasting, but they require a hefty initial investment in your apartment.
The installation process is quite labor-intensive, which further drives up the costs of using brick walls.
Vinyl Walls
Vinyl was first used in the exterior walls of apartments back in the 1950s. It came as a replacement for wood siding and aluminum walls.
Vinyl walls are made of a resin PVC material which makes them lightweight and easy to install.
They are also quite cheap as compared to other materials used for exterior apartment walls.
The quality of vinyl walls has improved a great deal in the past decade, accounting for the surge in its popularity.
Vinyl walls are available in numerous variations of, styles and colors.
You can find basic profiles of different thickness levels, textured walls, and different colors to match your apartment’s aesthetics.
These walls are low-maintenance and durable, and their installation can be DIY-ed! The only downside is that thinner vinyl walls are prone to crack because of extensive sun exposure.
Concrete Walls
Lastly, we have concrete walls that offer your apartment a minimalist aesthetic. Concrete is made of cement, sand, gravel, and water.
It is a virtually indestructible material and keeps you safe against hurricanes, thunderstorms, and even wildfires.
So, if you live in a city where natural disasters are a common occurrence, then concrete is your best option for exterior apartment walls.
Concrete is also a versatile material that can take on different shapes and sizes. It is long-lasting, low maintenance, and offers good insulation.
All the best in picking the right materials for your apartment walls!
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