What are the different types of walls?

Different types of walls include classification by function, material, and construction. By function, there are load bearing walls which support weight of floors and roof, non-load bearing walls which are partitions, retaining walls which hold back soil, and shear walls which resist lateral forces like wind and earthquakes. By material, there are brick walls, concrete walls, concrete block walls, stone walls, wood stud walls, metal stud walls, glass walls, and drywall partitions. By construction method, there are framed walls using wood or metal studs, masonry walls using bricks or blocks, cavity walls with two layers separated by gap for insulation, solid walls, veneer walls with decorative facing, and curtain walls which are non-structural exterior walls often glass on high rises. Other types include partition walls dividing interior spaces, parapet walls extending above roof, and boundary walls marking property lines. Each type serves different structural, insulation, and aesthetic purposes in building design.