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Building a stud wall is a great way to divide a room or create a new space within your home. Follow these steps to construct a stud wall that’s straight, sturdy, and ready for lining.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Choose straight timber for easier stud wall framing. The AS1684 Timber Framing Standard ensures stud walls are structurally sound. Use 90mm x 35mm or 90mm x 45mm timber for non-load-bearing walls, and 90mm x 45mm or 120mm x 45mm for load-bearing walls. Studs should be spaced 450mm apart for external walls and 600mm for internal walls, with noggins placed every 1350mm—one row for 2.4m walls and two for walls over 2.7m tall. Secure bottom plates with 100mm screws or masonry anchors, fix top plates to ceiling joists, and nail studs with two 75mm nails per joint.
Bracing may be required for load-bearing or external walls. Before installing the frame, cut through skirting boards and cornices, allowing extra millimetres for wall linings like plasterboard or VJ panels.
Secure the bottom plate to the floor. The method will vary depending on your flooring. For timber floors, use 100mm timber screws to fix the bottom plate to the floor. For concrete floors, use masonry plugs and anchors to secure the bottom plate. Make sure the plate is firmly fixed along its entire length.
Align the top plate with the chalk line you made on the ceiling. Fix the top plate to the ceiling joists, ensuring it is securely attached at the corners and at points in the middle. Use a spirit level to check that the top plate is straight.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.