Partition walls: what is the best way to build them

[MariaD]

Looking for advice on internal partition walls as I'm feeling a bit lost

I’m exploring internal partition wall options and I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’m considering things like:

• Fermacell

• Gyproc Habito

• Lightweight aggregate concrete blocks (e.g. Thermal Liteblock)

• Solid gypsum blocks

• AAC blocks

• AAC floor-to-ceiling wall panels

• Standard concrete blocks

• Magnesium Oxide panels

• Cement boards

• Double Plasterboard: given the cost of boards like Fermacell, you could install 2 standard plasterboards

If I go with board-based systems like Fermacell, should I use metal studs or timber studs?

I plan to do the installation myself, with help from friends.

What I’m looking for (in order of importance):

1. Durability – ideally walls I’ll never need to worry about, something well-built that I can leave for my children.

2. Noise absorption

3. Impact resistance – sturdy walls that can handle everyday wear and even support cabinets if needed.

4. Ease and speed of installation

5. Low complexity – which option minimises the number of steps and processes from start to finished wall?

6. Humidity resistance – ideally walls I don’t need to worry about, even in wet rooms.

7. Most durable finish – some systems are better suited to certain finishes or renders. Which one gives the most robust, long-lasting finish?

8. Wall thickness: some system may allow me to build partition walls 8cm thick

9. Weight – I’ll have concrete floors, but lighter is still better.

10. Cost – saving money is good, but value matters more. If a system is twice as expensive in materials but more durable and twice as fast to install, I’d still go with that.

Any advice on the best overall system for my priorities would be really appreciated.

 

Edited yesterday at 18:51 by MariaD

[JohnMo]

All our internal walls are wooden stud, 3x2 for non structural 4x2 for structural. Lined with plasterboard. 50mm insulation in the 3" and 75mm in 4".

 

Easy to do, all materials readily available.

 

42 minutes ago, MariaD said:

8cm thick

3x2 with 12.5mm end up 95mm thick.

 

43 minutes ago, MariaD said:

Humidity resistance

Water resistant plasterboard in wet rooms.

 

44 minutes ago, MariaD said:

Most durable finish

Mine are all dry lined, as are most in Scotland, zero issues for me.

[Russell griffiths]

You have so many priorities you are that you are confusing yourself 

you are not going to get the best soundproof wall and build it cheaply. 
if you want speed then by pre fabricated cardboard panels that are used in offices, will they be sturdy and robust ?

nope not at all. 
you need to narrow down your priorities. 
you say you would like to build these, then what are your skills, block laying or carpentry. 
 

all my internal walls are 90mm studwork with 11mm osb both sides and 15mm plasterboard on top. 
rather unusual but it does what I want. 

[dpmiller]

is the structure up/ can you build in block off the existing floor? That might rule out some options...

[MariaD]

49 minutes ago, dpmiller said:

is the structure up/ can you build in block off the existing floor? That might rule out some options...

yes , the plan is to use hollowcore slabs 

[MariaD]

10 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

You have so many priorities you are that you are confusing yourself 

you are not going to get the best soundproof wall and build it cheaply. 
if you want speed then by pre fabricated cardboard panels that are used in offices, will they be sturdy and robust ?

nope not at all. 
you need to narrow down your priorities. 
you say you would like to build these, then what are your skills, block laying or carpentry. 
 

all my internal walls are 90mm studwork with 11mm osb both sides and 15mm plasterboard on top. 
rather unusual but it does what I want. 

I'm looking at different aspects (priorities), but they're ranked. As stated, cost is placed last. We don't have a lot of skills, mostly just carpentry, but we want to learn and prefer to do as much of the job ourselves as possible.

[JohnMo]

2 hours ago, MariaD said:

mostly just carpentry,

Stud wall in wood should just get a big tick.

 

15 hours ago, MariaD said:

• Durability – Our last house was built in 1830 all internal walls were stud walls zero issues

• Noise absorption, do sound insulation as I mentioned about, air gap each side zero issues

• Impact resistance – no issues, you can always line in osb before plasterboard for hanging cabinets etc

• Ease and speed of installation, very wuick

• Low complexity – which option minimises the number of steps and processes from start to finished wall? Simple 

• Humidity resistance – ideally walls I don’t need to worry about, even in wet rooms. Moisture resistant plasterboard and correct ventilation for room

• Most durable finish – dry line or plaster 

• Wall thickness: some system may allow me to build partition walls 8cm thick, 8cm not really practical 

• Weight – I’ll have concrete floors, but lighter is still better. Timber stud is light

• Cost – cheap as chips

 

[BotusBuild]

Wooden stud wall (you state you have carpentery skills).

Insulated the gaps (a bit of noise absorption, but importantly limit room to room heat transfer)

Double plaster board for noise absorption. Both sides if you want.

 

Relatively quick, cheap, easy with help.

[Spinny]

Are you aware that you can look at resources like the British Gypsum 'white book' to see a variety of stud wall constructions and their expected sound performance, thickness etc...

https://www.british-gypsum.com/specification/white-book-specification-selector/white-book-overview

 

For our extension/refurb we have used Habito on some timber stud walls with 100mm acoustic rockwool infill - and don't forget to soundproof apertures like electrical sockets with acoustic putty pads.

 

You might want to vary choice of construction somewhat depending on the requirements for the rooms in question and other factors. For example we have a wall with a pocket door where we wanted the wall to have decent sound resistance at the pocket and so have it double boarded with Habito then skimmed. Walls for a TV/music room potentially different requirement from other rooms etc.

 

Consider dealing with noise sources at source - e.g. insulated soil pipe or acoustic wraps.

 

For timber stud make sure to get good straight timber.

 

Very best acoustic performance is normally from constructions where the two sides of the wall structure are isolated from each other - staggered stud construction, resilient bar etc.

We wanted to also maximise room size on an existing footprint which took us away from staggered stud.

 

We had a small area needing thermal insulation at minimal thickness and used an aerogel MgO board from Proctor - aerogel with a few mm MgO. It does tend to crack if you drill into it.

[saveasteading]

2 hours ago, Spinny said:

staggered stud construction, resilient bar etc.

My favourite esp for diy. If you make double sole plate and header plates then even vacuum cleaner impact is isolated. It is superior too if having a tv fixed to a wall