Dry Lining Materials

Dry lining is a fantastically versatile method of construction that can be used in all manner of projects. Whether it’s building a new partitioned wall or improving an existing wall, dry lining can be an excellent new skill to learn, but, where do you start? 

The first place to start is understanding what materials you are going to need. Here we will guide you through the dry-lining materials best suited  for your project:

What Dry Lining Materials Do You Need?

First, you are going to need dry lining boards, better known as plasterboards. Whether you are building a new partitioned wall, lining an existing wall or building a suspended ceiling, the key part of the whole process is the plasterboard. 

Plasterboard comes in many variations, so have a good think in advance about what type of board you’ll need. If you are boarding a bathroom, for example, you may require a moisture-resistant plasterboard. If you are concerned about noise, then there are sound-resistant plasterboards available. There are a wide array of different types, thicknesses and sizes on the market, but these are the most common:

• Standard
• Sound-resistant
• Moisture-resistant
• Fire-resistant
• Insulated

It’s essential for any project that you work out beforehand what size area you are boarding and what type of board is most suitable. You can then arrange to get prices and advice from a specialist.

Plasterboard Brands 

Alongside the different types of plasterboard available, there are also multiple brands on the market. Choosing a high-quality brand will ensure the best results for your project. 

In the UK, British Gypsum is one of the leading brands and is known for its quality and consistency - as the brand has been around since 1915. The most popular plasterboard manufacturers include:

• British Gypsum
• Celotex
• Kingspan
• Knauf
• Recticel

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Other Materials

The following are the most common dry-lining materials you will likely require, but this will depend on the exact nature of your dry-lining project.

Metal frames

Metal frames form the support for your plasterboards, and are essential for any kind of partitioned walls. The size you need will depend on the length and depth of your plasterboards and the area you are boarding. The most common type of metal frames are steel frame systems, which are highly popular due to their combination of incredible strength, long life and quick installation

Studs

Studs fix the metal frames to the floor and ceiling, securing your frame, ready for the boards to be fixed. You can choose lower-cost timber studs, but these are less reliable and will not be suitable for load-bearing walls. For the best quality stud work, you should always choose metal studs.

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Fixings

One of the most important dry-lining materials is the fixings you use to secure the boards in place. What type or size is best will depend upon the nature of your project, but they include drywall screws, nail-in anchors, self-tapping screws or even adhesives

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Angle beads

Angle beads cover the corners of the walls, which means that they are protected from any bumps or knocks. These are also used to provide a nicely finished corner ready for plastering or filling. You can use steel or plastic beading of various dimensions, depending on the boards you use. You can also use corner tape, which is a lighter-weight version of angle beads.

Accessories

Your project itself will dictate what type of accessories you need, but commonly a high-quality sealant and joint filler will be required for the finishing process. You will also, of course, need your tools, and a sturdy standard-sized skeleton gun along with a reliable retractable utility knife.

The wide range of dry lining materials and brands available can make it tricky to find the right ones, particularly if you are using a type of dry lining that requires a special installation technique. 

For example, a soundproof plasterboard can benefit from being fixed using adhesives - as opposed to traditional fixings. This is because eliminating the holes caused by screws will help maximise noise reduction. If in doubt it is always worth measuring the area you need to board, and then speaking with a specialist, such as one of our account managers, who can advise on which board and fixings will be best suited for your project.

How to Choose a Supplier

Whether you are installing your dry lining in Tyneside, Twickenham or Timbuktu - you are going to need a reliable provider. This can often be frustrating as a lot of suppliers are not keen to offer advice over the telephone, or they won’t call you back when they say they will. We can offer a shameless plug for our account managers here at Building Materials Nationwide Ltd, as they are always keen to speak with you!

However, if you are being impartial and want to shop around, here are some key considerations to help find the right supplier for your project:

• Communicative service: An active line of communication is a good indicator of quality. If a supplier is communicative with you as a customer, they are more likely to be communicative within their network of contacts and proactively source the right dry-lining materials for your project.
• Speedy delivery: There is no point in finding a good price for your dry-lining materials only to have to wait around for them. Time delays create costs and are the bane of the construction trade, so look for suppliers with fast and flexible delivery options to ensure you have a timely outcome.
• Comprehensive stock: The last thing you want to do is have to source different dry-lining materials from multiple places. Getting your boards from one place and fixings from another is incredibly inefficient! So make sure you look for suppliers with lots of different stock available.

How to Calculate What Dry Lining Materials You Need

So now you have a better understanding of what materials you need and have a reliable supplier, you simply need to calculate the precise amounts of each material you need. Your specific requirements may differ, so here we will do a general calculation:

1. Calculate the area of the space with the ‘length x height = area’ formula. For example, a 50 metre (m) long by 2 metre high wall has an area of 100 metres squared (m²).
2. Dividing the area you have by the size of your plasterboards will give you the number of boards you will need. So, for example, for a surface area of 100 m² using 2,400mm x 1,200mm plasterboards, you will need 70 plasterboards to cover your space.
3. To figure out how many metres of stud are necessary, take the width of the centres between each stud and divide it by the total area. So, if you are using studs at 400mm centres then you will require 352 linear metres of stud. Again, you can divide this by the length of your studs, So, if your stud length is 2400mm, then you will require 147 studs (rounded up). 

It is always worth checking and double-checking your measurements because you don’t want to either over or under-order the materials you need. If in doubt, speak to a specialist and ask them to check your measurements before making your purchase.

Everything You Need For Your Project

The dry lining materials you need will be determined by the type of project you are carrying out. For a new wall or partition, you will require a full-frame system. For lining existing walls and ceilings, you will require just the plasterboards and fixings. Plasterboards themselves come in a wide range of styles that serve different functions. We can deliver everything you need for your next plasterboard project to you, with fast nationwide delivery. Professionals get even more benefits through our trade accounts.

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