What is a Revit ʼStacked Wallʼ?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

A Revit Stacked Wall is a single wall type made by vertically combining two or more basic wall types into one assembly, typically created through Edit Type. It is the most common professional method for modeling multi-story facade conditions quickly. Limitation: stacked walls can be less flexible at complex joins and edits.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Stacked walls often fail when you need irregular layer transitions, custom wall joins, or partial-height edits at one segment only. A common real-world issue is that attached tops/bottoms and embedded openings may not behave as expected after changing the stacked wall composition.

How to Create a Revit Stacked Wall

  • Command: Wall

  • Shortcut: WA

  • Quick Steps:

    1. On the Architecture tab > Build panel, click Wall, then choose an existing Stacked Wall type from the Type Selector if one already exists.
    2. To create a new one, select the wall, click Edit Type in the Properties palette, then Duplicate and open the type settings to define the stacked wall structure from basic wall types.
    3. Set the sub-wall heights and options such as Variable for one segment if needed, then place the wall in plan or elevation.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Variable sub-wall option

  • Expert Setting: This option allows one segment in the stacked wall to flex when the overall wall height changes. If the wrong segment is set as variable, the wall composition can stretch in the wrong location and produce inaccurate facade or finish heights.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): Stacked walls can break or join poorly when used on sloped, stepped, or highly customized geometry.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): If embedded basic wall types are constrained, attached, or have conflicting instance settings, edits may not propagate cleanly.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Revit treats stacked walls as predefined vertical combinations, so they are not ideal when each height zone needs independent editing.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Use Tab to select an individual sub-wall inside the stacked wall, then Unpin or edit the parent type through Edit Type if segment behavior is incorrect.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use stacked walls for standard exterior conditions like brick over concrete or podium-to-cladding transitions. Avoid them when the wall zones need frequent one-off edits, custom openings, or complex detailing.

FAQ

Can you edit individual parts of a stacked wall?

Yes, but control is limited compared to separate basic walls.

Is a stacked wall the same as a curtain wall?

No, a stacked wall combines basic wall types vertically, while a curtain wall uses panels and mullions.

Can stacked walls be scheduled?

Yes, but scheduling can be less clear because the wall is composed of multiple sub-walls.

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