A cavity wall is two walls built together with a gap between them, allowing for better insulation and moisture drainage. They are ideal for colder climates and can be further insulated. The outer layer is often bricks and the inner layer is heavier materials. Cavity walls were first used in the UK in the 19th century to prevent moisture, but are now mainly used for insulation and environmental concerns.
A cavity wall is two separate walls that have been built tightly together with a gap between them. Each of these walls can be built with a different type of masonry, such as brick or concrete, or with other materials. The resulting gap allows the cavity wall to be more efficient at insulating than a wall that is single layered or made up of two layers that have been glued together where the gap would have been. Moisture that is absorbed into the exterior wall masonry typically drains through the gap and out of the base of the wall, which is another benefit of this type of structure.
The efficiency of cavity walls makes them ideal for home or building construction in colder climates. Heat loss can be greatly reduced by the cofferdam, which results in lower heating bills while being less harmful to the environment. Additional insulation can also be placed within the wall space which will increase its level of efficiency. To be at its most efficient, the gap in a cavity wall must be sealed where doors and windows are built into the wall.
In an example of a typical cavity wall, the outer portion will consist of one layer of bricks, while the inner layer will be constructed of heavier, wider materials, such as concrete blocks. The outer layer may be covered with some type of cladding, but is more often left exposed for the aesthetics of the home or building. The space between can vary in size. Larger spaces insulate the interior of a building better, while smaller spaces retain a greater amount of area that can be devoted to interior floor space. Also, there are usually holes on the outer layer of a cavity wall referred to as spill holes that act as drainage holes for any moisture that has made its way into the interior space of the wall.
This type of wall was conceived and put into use in the 19th century in the UK, and is now used throughout the world. Initially, the main use was to prevent moisture from entering through walls, but the purpose of using cavity walls today is mainly for insulation. Adding to their importance are the many types of environmental concerns that exist today, including the reduction of environmental waste and the conservation of natural resources such as fossil fuels.
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