The partition, part by part
The order of the job
Tap a step to jump to its materials.
Also: 🔥 Fire
Also: 🧰 Tools
📏1. Fix the framing
More materials (1)
Technical data and sources
- Studs: usually 600 mm centres; 400 mm for tiling or where the system says. Deflection head: ≥20 mm engagement, never fix board to the moving head. RB1 resilient bar (improves sound insulation; screw never touches the stud): 600 mm walls, 400 mm for tiling, 450 mm ceilings. MF ceiling (GypCeiling): MF7 primary at 1200 mm, MF5 ≤450 mm, hangers at 1200 mm, MF6 perimeter. — Source: British Gypsum FAQ: stud centres for tiling; British Gypsum deflection heads guidance; British Gypsum FAQ: RB1 resilient bar centres; British Gypsum GypCeiling MF (White Book)
🧶2. Insulate
Technical data and sources
- Isover APR 1200: 600 mm rolls, reaction to fire A1. PIR: Euroclass F for some products; restricted in external walls of tall buildings (Building Regulations 2010, regulation 7). — Source: Isover APR 1200 data sheet; Knauf Insulation / Rockwool SDS; Building Regulations 2010 reg. 7
🟫3. Hang the board
More materials (2)
Technical data and sources
- BS EN 520 types: H moisture resistant, F fire (e.g. Gyproc FireLine, pink), D density/sound (e.g. Gyproc SoundBloc, Siniat GTEC dB, blue), I impact (e.g. Gyproc DuraLine). Fire resistance only counts within the tested system. Thermal laminate (e.g. Gyproc ThermaLine PIR): foil or kraft face acts as vapour control layer. — Source: British Gypsum product data sheets (WallBoard, FireLine, SoundBloc); Knauf Wallboard and Moisture Panel data sheets; Gyproc board catalogue (DuraLine; colour to confirm on UK data sheet); British Gypsum Gyproc ThermaLine PIR data sheets
🔩4. Screw
More materials (1)
Technical data and sources
- Minimum length: board + 10 mm into metal; board + 25 mm into timber. Self-drilling screws have a drill tip for heavier metal. Centres: partitions 300 mm (200 mm at external angles); ceilings 230 mm field, 150 mm at ends; ≥10 mm from edge. Dot and dab (adhesive in dabs): ≥20 % contact, rows ≤600 mm, 25 mm from edges, continuous line top and bottom (DriLyner). Thermal laminate: e.g. two plugs per board. — Source: British Gypsum FAQ: screw lengths; British Gypsum FAQ: screw fixing centres; British Gypsum NBS sub-clauses (DriLyner pattern); British Gypsum Gyproc ThermaLine PIR data sheets
🩹5. Joints
🎨6. Finish
More materials (1)
Technical data and sources
- Finish levels Q1 to Q4 (Eurogypsum); Q2 is typical; Q4 usually needs a skim ≥1 mm. Angle beads and stop beads protect and finish corners and edges before jointing or skimming. — Source: Eurogypsum Q1–Q4 finish levels; General UK dry lining practice (no figures)
🔥7. Fire
Technical data and sources
- Fire stopping must be tested for that pipe or cable type and that partition. Guidance: Approved Document B (fire safety). — Source: Approved Document B (fire safety)
🧰Tools
More materials (7)
⚠️ Safety
Sanding dust: sand compound with on-tool extraction (H, M or L class, per the HSE, Health and Safety Executive). Heavy boards: work in pairs or use a board lifter (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992).
🎓 Learn with the courses
Data sources
- British Gypsum product data sheets (WallBoard, FireLine, SoundBloc) — www.british-gypsum.com
- Knauf Wallboard and Moisture Panel data sheets — www.knauf.co.uk
- Gyproc board catalogue (DuraLine; colour to confirm on UK data sheet) — unitech-ikk.com
- British Gypsum Gyproc ThermaLine PIR data sheets — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum FAQ: stud centres for tiling — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum deflection heads guidance — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum FAQ: RB1 resilient bar centres — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum GypCeiling MF (White Book) — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum FAQ: screw lengths — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum FAQ: screw fixing centres — www.british-gypsum.com
- British Gypsum NBS sub-clauses (DriLyner pattern) — www.british-gypsum.com
- Eurogypsum Q1–Q4 finish levels — www.eurogypsum.org
- Isover APR 1200 data sheet; Knauf Insulation / Rockwool SDS; Building Regulations 2010 reg. 7 — www.legislation.gov.uk
- Approved Document B (fire safety) — www.gov.uk
- General UK dry lining practice (no figures)
Photo credits (free licences)
- Track (U channel) — Builder Depot
- C stud — Builder Depot
- MF suspended ceiling — Builder Depot
- Glass mineral wool — Builder Depot
- Rock mineral wool — Builder Depot
- PIR insulation board — Builder Depot
- Standard plasterboard — Builder Depot
- Special boards — Builder Depot
- Thermal laminate board — Builder Depot
- Dot and dab adhesive — Knauf
- Fine thread drywall screw — Builder Depot
- Coarse thread drywall screw — Builder Depot
- Nailable plugs — Builder Depot
- Jointing tape — Builder Depot
- Jointing compound — Builder Depot
- Taping knives — Builder Depot
- Skim finish plaster — Builder Depot
- Beads (angle, stop and edge) — Builder Depot
- Fire stopping — Builder Depot
- Utility knife — Builder Depot
- Plasterboard saw — Builder Depot
- Plasterboard T-square — B&Q
- Plasterboard rasp — B&Q
- Drywall screwdriver — Wickes
- Board lifter — B&Q
- Hawk and plastering trowel — Builder Depot
- Corner trowel — Builder Depot
- Tin snips — Builder Depot
- Laser level — Builder Depot
Tap a material to see its page with the UK brands and shop links (Builder Depot, Wickes, B&Q and others); prices and stock may change. Photos: Builder Depot, the manufacturer or the shop (see photo list). Original Fixiz Academy text, checked on 30 October 2026. It does not replace the data sheet or your project specification.