For a standard domestic partition, 48mm or 50mm studs at 600mm centres are usually sufficient. For a commercial partition, 70mm or 90mm is standard. The exact size depends on wall height, acoustic and fire performance, and loading. Read the full stud size guide →

"Drylining" refers to the plasterboard lining on the internal face of a wall. "SFS" (Steel Framing System) is the steel stud frame that sits behind the lining. In practice, an SFS wall is a drylined wall — the two terms often overlap. The distinction matters when specifying: the SFS frame carries load, the drylining provides the finished surface.

Yes, with the right coating. Standard galvanised SFS is suitable for dry internal environments and some protected external environments. For exposed or high-corrosion environments (coastal, swimming pools, exterior soffits), C5 coated SFS is required. Read the C5 guide →

Standard internal partitions use 1.2mm gauge. Higher loads, taller walls, or higher wind exposure require 1.5mm or 2.0mm gauge. The gauge works together with the stud width — a 90mm × 1.2mm stud can outperform a 70mm × 2.0mm stud in some load cases. Read the gauges guide →

A deflection head is a slotted head track that allows the wall to move vertically without cracking. It's required on infill SFS walls because the primary structure (floor above) deflects under load, and the infill wall must be able to move with it. Loadbearing walls don't use deflection heads because the wall is part of the load path. Read the deflection heads guide →

Yes. SFS walls can achieve 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes fire resistance, depending on the board type, thickness, layers, and cavity insulation. The exact build-up must match a tested construction. Read the fire rated partitions guide →

Rw is the laboratory-measured sound reduction of a wall in isolation. DnT,w is the on-site measured sound reduction including flanking transmission through the surrounding structure. R'w is another on-site measurement (apparent sound reduction) that also includes flanking. Building Regulations typically require DnT,w, not Rw. Read the acoustics guide →

SFS cost depends on the stud width, gauge, coating, and quantity. As a rough rule, 70mm × 1.2mm studs are the cheapest per linear metre; wider studs and higher gauges cost more. C5 coated SFS costs significantly more than standard galvanised. Contact us for a quote →