Where can lightweight partitions be used? A comprehensive overview of various lightweight partition materials and their prices.

Whether you are moving to a new office, adjusting your living habits, or adding new family members, many people use partition design to plan room layouts or adjust spatial flow. In recent years, as more high-rise buildings have been constructed, many people prefer to use “lightweight partitions” for interior design. So, what exactly is a lightweight partition? How does it differ from traditional partitions? What is the construction method for lightweight partitions? Let’s explore further together!

What is a lightweight partition?

A lightweight partition is a common partition method used in building construction in recent years. It mainly uses lightweight steel frames as the structure, combined with fire-resistant panels to form the walls. Because of its lightweight nature, fire resistance, fast construction speed, and ease of recycling, along with rising environmental awareness and regulatory updates, lightweight partitions have gradually become one of the most widely used interior construction methods.

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How to choose between lightweight partitions and traditional partitions

How should you choose between a lightweight partition and a traditional one? Below is a comparison table to help you understand the differences from the perspectives of weight, construction speed, and environmental friendliness:

Lightweight Partition vs Traditional Partition

Lightweight Partition

From the comparison above, we can see that lightweight partitions are lighter and more suitable for commercial buildings, apartments, and other structures that require load-bearing considerations. Additionally, when installing lightweight partitions in high-rise buildings, construction time must be considered to avoid disturbing residents. Materials should also have good sound insulation and fire resistance to comply with building regulations. If you're unsure who can help design lightweight partitions in high-rise buildings, feel free to contact Weden! With years of experience specializing in fire-resistant building materials, we can design the most suitable partition layout for you.

〈Related Reading: What is fire zoning? Introduction to 4 common zoning types〉

Traditional Partition

Traditional partitions can be divided into two types: red brick walls and RC walls (reinforced concrete construction). They are durable and have good sound insulation, making them common in older construction. However, because they are very heavy and place a high load on building beams and columns, and because the construction speed and environmental friendliness are inferior to lightweight partitions, traditional partitions are not recommended for apartment buildings.

How to choose a lightweight partition? Learn from four material types!

Lightweight partitions are fast to install and low in weight, making them a top choice for residents of high-rise buildings. They can be divided into four types based on material: light steel framing, aerated lightweight brick walls, ceramsite walls, and wooden frame walls. How should you choose? Below is a comparison table to help you quickly determine which type suits your needs.

Light Steel Framing

Light steel framing can be categorized into dry and wet construction methods, each suitable for different applications. Here’s an explanation:
 

Wet Grouting Method

The wet method uses light steel frames as the structure, covered with fire-resistant panels such as gypsum boards or calcium carbonate boards. Lightweight concrete is poured into the panels, giving it waterproof qualities, good sound insulation, and easy pipe installation. Once the frame is installed, construction can begin immediately.
 

Dry Light Steel Framing

This method is similar to the wet method, but instead of concrete, sound-absorbing insulation is placed inside the panels. Therefore, it is the fastest, lightest, and most cost-effective lightweight partition method. However, since it does not contain concrete, its waterproofing and sound insulation performance are lower, and its load-bearing capacity is limited, making it unsuitable for bathrooms or walls that need to support heavy objects.
 

Aerated Lightweight Brick Walls

Made from lightweight bricks formed under high temperature and pressure, this type of partition—also known as “ALC blocks”—is lighter than red bricks or concrete. It puts less load on buildings, is fast to install, and is inexpensive. After installation, it only requires painting or wallpapering. However, since it uses lightweight bricks, its fire resistance is not as good as wet light steel partitions; its sound insulation and water resistance are also poor, similar to dry light steel framing, so it is not suitable for bathrooms or walls requiring heavy attachments.
 

Ceramsite Walls

Ceramsite walls are a highly functional and fast-construction lightweight partition method. Made from clay fired under high heat and pressure, the material can be custom-cut and delivered onsite for direct assembly, allowing for very rapid completion. Ceramsite walls provide fire resistance, heat insulation, sound insulation, and seismic resistance. With such high performance, the cost is also relatively high, so budget should be considered.
 

Wooden Frame Walls

Wooden frame walls are one of the most well-known lightweight partition methods. They use wooden framing combined with various panel materials. While they offer poorer fire resistance, seismic resistance, and sound insulation, they are the most compatible with interior design, making them ideal for small areas such as bedrooms or study rooms.

Lightweight Partition Comparison Table

Conclusion

When planning lightweight partitions, it is important to consider four factors: fire resistance, seismic resistance, sound insulation, and water resistance. By planning the wall layout based on these characteristics, the overall space will be more comfortable! Our team is experienced and technically professional in partition wall construction. With a forward-thinking design approach, we can provide suitable planning along with proper fire-resistant and seismic materials to help you create your ideal work or living environment.