Tabique

Tabique is a type of interior partition wall used to divide spaces within a building. In construction, tabiques are typically non-load-bearing, serving to separate rooms rather than carry structural loads. They can be built with various materials, most commonly hollow clay bricks (ladrillo tabique), ceramic blocks, or plastered masonry. In modern construction, tabique seco or dry partition walls are common, consisting of metal or wooden studs with gypsum board or plasterboard panels, finished with plaster or skim coats.

The main functions of tabiques are to define spaces, control light flow, and contribute to acoustic and thermal performance. Acoustic insulation depends on material, thickness, and any additional insulation placed behind the panels; finishes can range from painted plaster to decorative panels. The performance of a tabique is influenced by its thickness, joints, and connections to other elements of the building.

Historically, tabiques have been a standard element in many Spanish and Latin American buildings, where traditional masonry tabique walls were laid in mortar and finished with plaster. In contemporary architecture, tabiques continue to be used for interior partitions due to their relatively low cost, ease of installation, and flexibility for reconfiguration, though their non-structural nature means they can be altered or removed with appropriate precautions.

Maintenance considerations: because tabiques are typically non-load-bearing, they are generally easier to modify than structural walls, but openings or removals may require temporary shoring and careful handling. regional terminology may include pared de tabique or tabique hueco to refer to hollow tabique.