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Walls

External wall

An external wall separates the inside of a building from the outside, carrying loads and keeping out weather, cold and noise.

Also known as exterior wall, outer wall, external wall panel, facade wall, external wall element

A timber-framed external wall is built in layers from inside out: inner boards, often a service cavity, the vapour barrier, the insulated stud frame, a wind barrier, a ventilated cavity and the cladding. Each layer has its own job, and together they make up the building envelope.

Because they are so repetitive and weather-sensitive, external walls are the element most often prefabricated, from open frames to fully closed panels with windows and cladding.

Related terms
Wall panelA wall panel is a prefabricated section of wall: a timber or steel frame, often already fitted with sheathing, insulation, windows and services. It is built in a factory and assembled on site. Closed panelA closed panel is a prefabricated wall or roof element that leaves the factory boarded on both faces, with insulation and often windows, services and cladding fitted. Partition wallA partition wall divides the space inside a building; it may be load-bearing or not, and is usually a stud frame boarded on both sides.
From term to production line

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