Partitions
Metal stud partition: studs, floor and ceiling channel, fixings and boards
- where
- number of studs
- partition length (m)
- stud centres (mm)
- floor and ceiling channel length (m)
- channel fixings
- channel fixing centres (mm)
- number of boards
- board layers each side
- partition height (m)
- waste allowance (%)
- board width (m)
- board length (m)
Explain this equation
Gives the studs, floor and ceiling channel, channel fixings and boards for a straight metal stud partition. Use it to price and order a GypWall or Knauf-type partition.
Ns counts studs at centres s along length L. Lc is two runs of channel, one on the floor and one at the head. Nf counts fixings for both channels at centres sf. Nb counts boards: 2 faces × n layers × wall area, plus waste, divided by the area of one board, Wb × Hb.
The 1000 turns metres into millimetres so they match the stud centres. Rounding up (⌈ ⌉) and adding one gives a stud at each end of the run, because a run divided into bays always needs one more stud than bays. Boards are rounded up to whole sheets.
Sense check: a 6 m wall at 600 mm centres needs 11 studs; at 400 mm it needs 16. One layer each side of a 6 × 2.7 m wall is about 10 standard full-height boards before waste.
Watch out: add studs at door and window jambs and junctions, and double the channel fixings for wide channels fixed in two rows.
Take-off for a single-frame metal stud partition: the number of studs, the length of floor and ceiling channel and its fixings, and the boards for both faces.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
British Gypsum GypWall and Knauf Performer systems set C studs at 600 mm maximum centres; use 400 mm only where the chosen system specification calls for it (for example some tiled, taller or higher-duty walls). The stud count adds one for the closing stud; add extra studs at door and window jambs, at abutments and at T-junctions. Floor and ceiling channel is fixed at 600 mm centres; for channels wider than 72 mm British Gypsum uses two staggered rows, so double the fixing count. Boards are counted by area, so use full-height boards where you can and stagger joints between layers by at least 600 mm.
Common mistake
Counting studs as length ÷ centres and forgetting the end stud, then running short of studs for openings and junctions.
Limits
A quantity estimate for a straight run. It does not check height, fire or acoustic performance: take those from the manufacturer's system table for the stud size, gauge, centres and boards you are using. Openings are not deducted from boards (offcuts cover reveals).
Sources
- British Gypsum, White Book: GypWall Staggered / GypWall systems (studs at 600 mm centres; floor and ceiling channel fixed at 600 mm centres, two staggered rows for channels above 72 mm; stud splices 600 mm; joints staggered 600 mm)
- British Gypsum, GypWall Single Frame A206002 technical specification (48 mm C studs at 600 mm centres, 1 × 15 mm WallBoard each side, 80 mm thick, maximum height 2800 mm based on fire limit or deflection L/240 at 200 Pa, 25 mm screws)
- Knauf Performer PC-50-055-6-1-15-WB-0 (NBS Source): Knauf 50 C studs at 600 mm centres, U channel floor, deep flange U channel head
Results are calculations from the published methods and manufacturer figures shown, and depend on the data you enter. Always follow the manufacturers’ system and product data, BS 8212, BS EN 13914 and Building Regulations. Coverage rates vary by product, background and thickness. Check prices, VAT and CIS rules with your own records and HMRC.