Off the wall

Gulf wall panels are prefabricated before they are placed into position on site.
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FUTURE OUTLOOK
It is obvious what the benefits are of using recyclable materials to construct walls, but is there a demand for such products? The answer, it seems, is a resounding yes.

“Our products are even more attractive when the market is heavily cost conscious, so overall the new, more rigorous climate is an advantage for us,” says Cooke, who hopes to see a greater focus, by the regulatory authorities, on efficient sustainable design in 2010.

The firm is currently working on a residential project in Ajman, a student accommodation block in Dubai and four labour camps in Abu Dhabi.

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Despite its short time in the industry, Jehan Green Walls has also witnessed an encouraging response from the market.

“Keeping in mind that our system and products are new, the construction industry still believes in quality products and has an affinity towards green solutions.”

The company hopes to continue to raise awareness about the benefits of green building through campaigns this year and carry on with the projects it is currently supplying products to.

Such developments include labour accommodation in Ajman and Dubai and a villa compound in Fujairah.

Knauf also has a positive outlook to the future: “We are able to show definite growth to previous years,” says Caglar. “As a result, we are convinced that there is a high demand for our products in this climate. We will soon be introducing a series of advanced products to meet the market requirements.”

Knauf hopes to expand its production further this year. Its Ras Al Khamiah plant is operational but there is still another phase of the plant, which is yet to start functioning.

The company is currently working on a number of commercial and residential projects in Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, where progress is steady.

“I must say, we have come through this downturn very well. Our achievements during this phase include hiring more employees, starting off our operations in Qatar, investing in our production plant in Ras Al Khaimah and kicking-off production of metal profiles at the plant,” he adds.

“My hopes for 2010 are to show further growth by becoming a bigger and better team.”

Types of wall

Curtain wall
The curtain wall is the non-structural outer layer of a building. It is a façade that does not carry any dead load weight from the building and is designed to resist air and water infiltration and sway induced by wind and seismic forces.

Dry-stone wall
A dry-stone wall is constructed from stones without any mortar to bind them together. As with other dry stone structures, the wall is held up by the interlocking of the stones. Such walls are used in building construction, as field boundaries, and on steep slopes as retaining walls for terracing.

Load-bearing wall
A load-bearing wall bears the weight and force resting upon it, conducting the vertical load from the upper structure to the foundation. The materials most often used to construct load-bearing walls in large buildings are concrete, block, or brick.

Drywall
Drywall is the term used for a common method of constructing interior walls and ceilings using panels made of gypsum pressed between two thick sheets of paper. Drywall became prevalent as a speedier alternative to traditional plaster interior finish techniques.