What Size Metal Studs Should You Use?

Metal studs form a key part of partition (or stud) wall installation, providing the framework on which things like plasterboard are placed. Studs are available at various widths and lengths to suit all projects, giving you plenty of options for your desired finish.

At Fastbuild, we have dozens of studs available with various widths, lengths, depths and styles from which to choose. So, how do you know which is right for your project?

Choosing The Right Stud Width for Partition Walls

One of the main decisions you’ll need to make on stud sizes is the width. The most common stud wall widths are as follows:

• 50mm
• 70mm
• 92mm

50mm and 70mm studs tend to be the most popular, but whichever you choose can have a significant impact on the wall’s appearance and functionality, so getting it right is important.

Various factors go into determining a stud’s suitable width, and with many options available, there’s often more than one solution to a job. Here are some of the main points to consider.

Load Bearing Capacity

Stud walls are usually, by their nature, non-load-bearing. However, they can still be put under various pressures due to environmental conditions (e.g. wind) or simply the weight being fitted to the wall, including the plasterboard.

The wider a stud wall is, the more load-bearing strength it has, which makes a 92mm-width stud more suited to heavy-duty applications than a 50mm stud. The height of a stud wall can also increase the weight being put on the metal framework, which is why higher widths are generally recommended for taller stud walls.

That being said, there are various other ways you can increase the strength of a stud wall without increasing thickness if space is at a premium:

• Decrease the Centres: Placing studs at 400mm centres instead of 600mm can increase strength, for example.
• I Stud Over C Stud: Both types of stud perform the same task, but an I stud offers more load-bearing strength with the downside of less space for services (like electrics).

Space & Appearance

Many people, particularly in residential properties, look for as thin a wall as possible to save space. This makes sense, but it’s important to consider stud wall building regulations as well, particularly around issues such as soundproofing and fireproofing.

Especially thin stud walls may not always suit a project's style, either. For example, some stud walls may need to be thicker to suitably accommodate door or window frames.

Insulation & Services

Thin stud walls may be useful for saving space, but a notable downside is the reduced room between the plasterboards for things such as insulation or services.

Insulation is often an important consideration for stud walls, particularly when creating new rooms, as it offers both energy-saving and soundproofing properties. Services like electricity or pipes also need space within the wall where they can be run.

How to Choose the Correct Metal Wall Stud Length

The length of metal wall stud you need is ultimately related to the height of the partition wall you’re building. It’s recommended that you look for studs that are your required wall size or longer, so you can cut to size where required.

Metal studs should be around 3-5mm shorter than the wall height so they fit neatly into the stud wall tracks. Studs are widely available in standard wall sizes, meaning you don’t often need to fit two studs together to reach from top to bottom.

Deciding Your Metal Stud Size

As mentioned above, various structural and aesthetic factors go into choosing what size of metal stud you should use, and with so many options available, finding the ideal size for individual projects takes lots of attention to detail.

If working on a large project, you should be able to speak with an architect or structural engineer for precise guidance on the suggested width of your studs or of the partition wall altogether, which can guide your purchase. If working on a smaller project, make sure to consider stud wall regulations before you make your decision.