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Dividing Wall - Advice Please


Alex H

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I have a house within a barn. Unfortunately, the two are not seperated as can be seen below.

[IMG]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa288/alexhudghton/CramauxDecember2007049.jpg[/IMG]

It is my intention to build a wall from where the ladders are leaning, across the barn to where I am taking the photo.

As this will seperate warm from sometimes bl%%*y freezing, what is the best method of  construction to ensure maximum thermal efficiency?

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Will ask my OH later for you, if you like.  He is a retired architect and chartered building survyor.  Just for what it's worth, I would think possibly the wall should be constructed of plaster boards with those metal grid things that they use so often in France.  To the grids you then attach insulation materials.

You then have the insulation materials as well as the air space in the cavity and both should provide excellent insulation.

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Cheapest,quickest and easiest way is with metal studs, put your base plate on floor.plumb up to fix a head plate right across the roof,fixing wherever and as much as poss. The metal uprights click into each other so you can extend to whatever hieght you want,also the big bonus is that they don't warp/bend/burn and are insect proof.You can use 400mm or 600 mm centres and crimp-fix tops and bottoms as you put boards up. Do one complete side,install any cables required inside convoluted trunking before putting required insulation in ,then board the other side. For extra strenght ,fire resistance and soundproofing you can double board interior side so that board joints are NOT on same studs.

Regards.

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[quote user="Tandem_Pilot"]I have a house within a barn. Unfortunately, the two are not seperated as can be seen below.

[IMG]http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa288/alexhudghton/CramauxDecember2007049.jpg[/IMG]

It is my intention to build a wall from where the ladders are leaning, across the barn to where I am taking the photo.

As this will seperate warm from sometimes bl%%*y freezing, what is the best method of  construction to ensure maximum thermal efficiency?

[/quote]

That would appear to be a seriously big wall, assuming its as high as the blocked doorway at the top of the steps then its probably 14ft high with the roof apex about 10ft above that.

Not, I would suggest, a subject for a plasterboard wall.

My view would be a concrete block wall using the block type that are a sandwich with dense foam between the sides (do they exist in France?) up to the 14ft level with horizontal joists above to form the supports for a ceiling, and first floor joists for upper floor. Batten the inner face of the wall and fit additional insulation then plasterboard over. Comprehensively insulate the upper ceiling and finish the internal ceiling face as required (exposed joists / beams, flush plasterboard etc etc)

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Thanks all. I, too, am of the impression it's just too big for all plasterboard (you're correct Steve - 8 metres to the roof apex).

Sweet 17 - I would be interested in what your OH has to say, Thanks

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T-P

The OH has had a good look at your photo.  Says there are various ways of achieving your purpose.  However, you need to be careful how the wall is constructed; you need to "stagger it", putting in bays or even put a load on top of it, otherwise a wall of this size is not stable.  You might also need good foundations for it.

You could also build it up as Steve (Powerdesal) has suggested up to first floor height and then use lightweight materials above that which will allow you to build the wall to the shape of the barn roof.

Most important of all, he says there is insufficient information to advise you conclusively.  However, I will pm you with our telephone number and he says he is happy to have a chat with you about it (no obligation, of course).

Cheers

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Still reckon the easiest/quickest, and safest to install wall would be a stud wall. Only deciding factor could be what you intend to install on other side? You can always put ply panels on the ground floor level on the outside so you dont damage the plasterboard sheets..Looking at the rest of the site I would hazard a guess that the owner does not want a major construction job, foundation footings,tie-in to existing walls,plus a wall that hieght and lenght would need structure piers.not for the faint hearted.

Regards. 

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These are the type of block I was suggesting, are such blocks available in France?

It is certain that foundations, existing wall tie-in and possibly piers / buttresses would be required. An Architect / Structural Engineer would be a good contact.

[IMG]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/powerdesal/20052008110.jpg[/IMG]

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Steve

The OH said yesterday that you'd suggested a good way of going about building this wall.  But, as he pointed out, he didn't know what else was in the room and it was difficult to be definitive without knowing about the existing construction and without knowing what the intended use the building might be.

In point of fact, to be absolutely sure about a solution, it will be necessary for the advisor to look at the wall. 

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One guesses that one could proceed along the lines of Victorian engineering: make it two metres thick..............................

It is a very high structure to be expected to stand of its own volition, without decent foundations, piers/buttresses or summat periodical to take out the tendency to collapse in on itself, if someone sneezes.

And that's without any further induced moments of load being imposed by an upper floor and etc.

Obtain a professional report from a site survey and follow their recommendations and options.

Or buy a rabbit's foot and anti-sneeze compound!

[:D]

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