Building a wall with concrete blocks

[alphazulu]

The previous owner of my house knocked down a brick wall between the garage and a store room and fitted an RSJ. I now plan to replace this wall and put a door in it. The opening is about 3 m long and 2.4 m high. I know I will need wall starters/ties to attach the new wall to the old wall and a lintel above the door. One side of the wall will be the kitchen and the other side the garage so the wall will not be exposed to the elements. I will be covering both sides of the wall with plasterboard.

My questions are:

1. Can I build the wall using aerated bricks (e.g. http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/213632) or do I need to use medium density blocks (http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/213641)?

2. Is it OK for the wall to be just one of these blocks thick?

3. Best ratio of sand:cement for this type of wall

 

[rjm2k]

Are you taking the rsj out? if not, why not just use a stud wall? fire risk?

 

[theoldun]

Cheapest and quickest. Studwork partition and plasterboard.
Regards oldun

 

[alphazulu]

The RSJ is staying put, just building up to it. When we were buying the house the surveyor suggested blocks. We will be using the new room as a kitchen extension so I think blocks will be safer. I haven't planned the kitchen yet but it is likely we will want to hang some cupboards on this wall.

The garage is also unheated (could be draught proofed) and next to a busy road so I'm not sure if the stud wall would be cold/allow noise through.

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about a stud wall but it does look cheaper!

 

[limerockconstruction]

Even as a bricklayer, i'd be following the advice above, fill it with insulation to avoid any heat loss.

 

[alphazulu]

Would a stud wall with insulation stop noise too?

 

[theoldun]

DPC under sole plate. 47x100 studwork.18mm t&g chipboard on utility side, (for fixings if you wish) covered with 12.5 plasterboard. 80mm Celotex between studs, 12.5 skimmed plasterboard garage side, will give you a U value of 0.28W/m2K, which is current U value.
You need to spend a lot of loot to soundproof, but the above will keep noise levels to acceptable standard.
Regards oldun

 

[joe-90]

I'd use something like fibolite blocks. Dead cheap and easy to work with. Around 5:1 sand/cement.