Stud Wall Timber: What is it and What is it Used For?

A stud wall is a quick and effective way to either create a new room within a building or to create a new wall against an existing one. Stud wall timber is used within the production of a wooden stud wall, creating a firm frame within which you can install insulation and fix plasterboarding. In this guide from Building Materials Nationwide, we’ll take a look through the essentials of stud wall timber, the different constructions, sizes of timber, and the grade of timber required.

What is a Stud Wall?

A stud wall frame will be constructed within a building, which can then be faced with plasterboards and decorated. They can be made with wooden or metal studs, though for this article we’ll be focusing on timber studs. These wooden studs will be used to make a timber frame along the walls and ceilings, with consistent vertical studs between them offering support and horizontal noggins to brace the structure. A stud wall can serve two purposes: to create additional rooms within a building or to create a new wall against a solid or uneven one. These are called stud partition walls and batten walls respectively. Horizontal studs can also be used to mark out space for a door frame, or a window in the case of a batten wall.

Stud Partition Wall

A stud partition wall is constructed within a building, normally to split a larger area into two or more separate rooms. Stud walls are used extensively within modern buildings, presenting a quick, sturdy way to alter their layout. Stud partition walls can be filled with thermal or acoustic insulation and topped with plasterboards, which can be decorated with a wide variety of finishes. It is also possible to build stud partition walls against other stud partition walls, which is useful for building several rooms within a larger area. In most cases, stud partition walls will not be load-bearing, but they can be built to support weight within a building.

Batten Wall

Unlike a stud partition wall, which will be faced with plasterboards on both sides, a batten wall is a single-sided stud wall built against a solid wall. There are a variety of reasons for building batten walls, from adding insulation to a solid outer wall to cleanly decorating an uneven wall. Batten walls will need to be built around features like windows and doors.

What Makes up a Stud Wall?

While stud wall timber refers to all the components of a stud wall, the different parts of a stud wall each have their name. The ceiling plate is the top line of the frame crossing the ceiling, while the floor plate runs along the floor. The studs themselves are long vertical pieces of wood from floor to ceiling. Noggins are smaller pieces of sawn timber fitted between studs to brace the whole frame together.

What is Stud Wall Timber?

Stud wall timber is any timber that will perform well as a stud wall. When looking for stud wall timber you’ll need to calculate how much is needed in advance, allowing you to purchase the correct amount and minimise wastage.

View Timber Studs

What Size Should Stud Wall Timber Be?

When looking to choose the ideal stud wall timber, you’ll be looking to use either 75mm x 50mm or 100mm x 50mm timber for the studs (roughly corresponding to 2x3 and 2x4 lengths). This will allow your stud wall to be wide enough to store a solid level of thermal or acoustic insulation, and also strong enough to support both doors and heavier decorations like tiling. Within stud walls, the thinner edge will be facing out, and the width of it must be wide enough for two plasterboards to be attached to it at their joint with nails. If you are looking to construct a load-bearing stud wall, then you will be looking to use an appropriately larger timber stud.

What Type of Timber Should I Use for Stud Walls?

Stud wall timber can be made of most types of wood. Rough untreated timber is acceptable for use, as long as the thickness is consistent. It is generally acceptable to use cheaper and lower quality wood for stud walls, as they are not visible or generally load-bearing. If you’re looking to hang a heavier door within a stud wall or to decorate with elements like tiling, it could be worth opting for a stronger wood. When building a stud wall around a bathroom or building a batten wall, opting for treated wood may be preferable as it can deal with moisture. Kiln-dried timber will also help resist moisture. As the stud wall timber will not be visible, things like blemishes and warps will be acceptable. As long as the surface is flat, minor defects are also acceptable.

In the cases where you are looking to build a load-bearing wall, the stud wall timber you use will have to be of higher quality, such as carcassing timber rated to C16 or C24 strength. You will also need to ensure that you use timber that has been kiln-dried to avoid moisture.

Looking to Build Your Own Stud Wall?

If you’re looking to build a stud wall for yourself, either to create a partition within your home or to insulate a solid wall, we have guides available through our website. For either a stud wall or a batten wall, our step-by-step guides talk you through the installation process. We also have a guide to stud wall insulation.