Stud Wall Guide & FAQ

Stud walls are one of the quickest and most popular ways to transform a property. Enjoyed by DIYers and professionals in residential and commercial properties, it’s a sure-fire way to transform the feel of a building – so long as you do it right!

Here at Fastbuild, we’ve written many guides and advice to help people put together the perfect stud wall for their needs. Whether you’re a homeowner thinking of putting up a stud wall for the first time, or a contractor who’s working on one for the first time in a while, this page answers some of the most common questions we’re often asked to help you get on your way to building your stud wall.

What is a Stud Wall?

A stud wall, also known as a partition wall or stud and track, is a non-load-bearing wall installed in buildings to create new spaces and rooms. They are a common feature across both residential and commercial properties.

The name stud wall comes from its construction. Stud walls are made by connecting horizontal tracks to the existing floor and ceiling, and connecting vertical studs to those tracks to form a skeleton-like frame. Various things can then be inserted into the frame, such as insulation, soundproofing or utilities (pipes and wires), before plasterboard is attached to create a seamless wall.

Is it Easy to Build a Stud Wall?

As far as interior decorating goes, few jobs are as easy as building a stud wall while having as big an impact on the feel of a property. It’s especially straightforward if you’re simply building an internal dividing wall without doors or windows.

If you’re taking on a stud wall for the first time (or the first time in a while), here are some key points to remember:

• Get the right materials – Getting all the right kit, even down to the screws, will make sure your stud wall stands strong way beyond the build.
• Measure twice, cut once – Getting the right lengths and cutting to size accurately is vital, so take your time.
• Get a helper – You’ll definitely need someone to help lift the ceiling track into place.

Check out our full guide below for more information on building a stud wall:

What are the Rules & Regulations for Installing Stud Walls?

Generally speaking, the majority of stud wall installations don’t fall foul of any building rules or regulations. If you’re using materials specifically designed for stud walls and you’re simply adding a wall to a home or business, you will usually be okay.

Some questions you need to ask, however, which might force you to seek approval or double-check regulations, are:

• Is it a period property? These buildings often have stricter rules about changing their internal look.
• Is it an extension? If it is, you will often need planning approval.
• Is it creating a new room? If so, there are additional regulations you need to consider, such as fireproofing, soundproofing and ventilation.
• Is it changing the purpose of the property? If the work is changing a home to a business or vice versa, this comes with additional rules and regulations.

It’s important to make sure your situation doesn’t fall foul of building regulations. If you’re at all unsure, read our in-depth guide for more information:

Should You Use Wood or Metal for a Stud Wall?

While wood used to be the traditional material for stud walls, metal has now been much more commonly used across commercial properties, and many residential ones, also.

Metal studs tend to be lighter and thinner than their timber counterparts, making them easier to handle and allowing you to create thinner walls, which can be useful in small spaces. A metal stud wall also tends to be cheaper to install than its timber counterpart.

On the other hand, timber is a traditional material that many people are more comfortable working with (you can cut it to size with basic DIY tools, for example), while it may also suit some period buildings more.

Read our full guide on metal vs wood stud walls for more information.

How Much Spacing Between Studs in a Stud Wall?

For stud walls in the UK, it is usually standard to place studs at either 400mm or 600mm centres (this means 400mm or 600mm between the centre of each stud). This is both to ensure a minimum amount of strength and also in-line with the common size of plasterboard, the edges of which will be screwed into the studs.

Choosing to have studs at 400mm or 600mm centres is up to you, but you might consider:

• Plasterboard Length: 400mm is good for thinner plasterboard, while thicker plasterboard can hold up over 600mm centres.
• Wall Strength: A wall with 400mm centres is slightly more rigid, which can be useful for attaching heavy fixings like furniture or tiles.
• Budget: A 600mm-centre wall can still offer adequate strength while requiring fewer studs.

Can You Fix Furniture to a Stud Wall?

Yes, it is possible to fix most common furniture to a stud wall, so long as you have the correct stud wall fixings.

Because a stud wall doesn’t have the same strength across the whole structure as a normal wall, you need to make sure you’re fixing it in the right place and the right way, depending on its size and your wall:

For more information on finding the right fixing for your furniture, check out our full guide:

Are Stud Walls Soundproof?

Stud walls are not inherently soundproof. However, their sound insulation can be greatly improved with the addition of specialised materials.

Because stud walls tend to be thin with a rigid frame, they are often quite susceptible to letting noise pass through. However, adding density through specialised acoustic insulation, and decoupling the plasterboard from the studs themselves with a resilient bar, can drastically improve a stud wall’s acoustic performance.

If this is important to you, we have a complete guide on how to soundproof a stud wall.

How to Insulate Stud Walls

Insulating stud walls can provide great benefits to the property, particularly by improving the wall’s ability to radiate warmth and reduce sound transmission.

Various stud wall insulations are available, including batts and rolls, many of which are made to lengths designed to fit snugly into the spaces between studs. Insulation can also be cut to size quite easily, but remember to always wear protective equipment when handling insulation as it is often made up of a lot of tiny fibres that can cause discomfort.

We hope this guide helps give you the confidence to take on installing a stud wall! Remember, whether you’re working with timber or steel studs, you can get everything you need for the job right here at Fastbuild. You can also follow us on Facebook to see all of our latest guides.