Wall

A wall (also called deyr or gidaar) is a vertical structure that connects the ground and roof or is used to divide open space. Walls can be constructed from mud, stone, clay brick, concrete, wood, or steel. It is one of the essential components of any building.

Walls are divided into two main types: load-bearing walls (structural), which support the weight of the roof and upper floors, and partition walls, which only divide rooms and do not carry load. Distinguishing between these two is important when renovating a building, since load-bearing walls cannot be removed without providing alternative support.

Function of walls

Walls serve several functions: to support the weight of the structure, to protect against wind and rain, to prevent fire and noise transmission, and to ensure the privacy of inhabitants. Exterior walls are generally thicker than interior walls because they must withstand weather conditions.

Building materials

Traditionally, the materials used depended on what the region provided. In desert areas, sun-dried mud brick and clay brick were used; in mountainous areas, stone; in forested areas, wood. In recent centuries, fired brick, concrete block, and reinforced concrete have become the most common worldwide. In large modern buildings, exterior walls are sometimes curtain walls made of glass and aluminium, while the load is carried by steel and concrete frames.

Open and boundary walls

The term wall is also used for roofless structures: the boundary wall of a compound (deyr), ground-level terrace walls that control water flow on sloped land, and defensive walls in historic cities that were once enclosed by gates. In the Middle Ages, many cities had defensive walls with gates; such walls are now often preserved as historical heritage.