What are the Advantages of Cavity Walls?

(ii) Cavity walls - It consists of two walls with a 5cm. to 8cm. cavity between them. The outer
wall consists of 10cm. thick and the inner wall is 10cm thick minimum. Rust proof strips of
metal are placed in intervals to link the two walls together.
Advantages of Cavity Walls
(a) There is no possibility of the moisture travelling from the outer wall to the inner wall.
(b) The layer of air in the cavity being non-conductor of heat, it reduces the transmission of heat
from the external face to internal one. Cavity walls have 25% greater insulating value than solid
walls. This acts as damp barrier, reduces the cooling cost of the building.
(c) These have good sound insulation property.
(d) They are economical.
Precautions (a) Damp proof course should be laid separately for two walls.
(b) The cavity should be properly drained and ventilated by providing weep holes.
(c) Cavity should be kept clear of dropping of mortar or brick, rubbish etc during construction.
(d) Vermin's or mosquitoes should not be there in the cavity wall.
Disadvantages of cavity wall
Cavity walls were first built, in exposed coastal areas, in order to keep out winddriven rain. Filling the cavity with insulation will always hold the risk that moisture
will be able to find its way across to the inside, whatever the insulation material.
There is also the possibility that the installation will be less than perfect, leaving
unfilled air pockets these will leave cold spots on the inside walls which attract
condensation. Another problem concerns wall-tie corrosion; cavity insulation makes
the outer brick leaf colder, and therefore wetter, which can accelerate rusting of the
wall ties. And if the ties then have to be replaced, there is no satisfactory way of
refilling the holes in the insulation, whatever the material. The cavity insulation
industry denies the existence of these problems, but in my experience they are
quite common cavity wall insulation may not be a good idea.