Dry Lining & Drywall Installation in Exeter

Expert dry lining, stud walls, and plasterboard installation throughout Exeter and East Devon.

What Is Dry Lining?

Dry lining (also called drywalling) is the process of lining internal walls with plasterboard rather than traditional wet plaster. It's faster, cleaner, and creates a smooth surface ready for decoration. Dry lining is standard in new builds and renovations across the UK.

The term covers several techniques: dot-and-dab (fixing boards to existing walls with adhesive), stud partitions (timber or metal frame with plasterboard on both sides), and direct fixing to battens.

When Do You Need Dry Lining?

Common situations where dry lining is the best solution:

• Creating new partition walls (dividing rooms, ensuite bathrooms)
• Lining cold external walls with insulated plasterboard
• Covering uneven or damaged masonry walls
• Soundproofing between rooms or floors
• Boxing in pipework or creating bulkheads
• Loft conversions where lightweight walls are needed

Dry Lining Methods We Use

Dot-and-Dab

This involves fixing plasterboard directly to an existing masonry wall using dabs of plasterboard adhesive. It's the quickest way to create a smooth wall surface and adds a small amount of insulation. We can use standard plasterboard or thermal (insulated) boards.

Best for: Covering uneven brick or block walls, adding insulation

Cost: £25-32/m² + VAT

Metal Stud Walls

Metal stud partitions use a lightweight steel frame with plasterboard fixed to both sides. They're quick to build, perfectly straight, and easier to run services (cables, pipes) through than solid walls. We can add soundproofing insulation between the studs.

Best for: Room dividers, ensuite bathrooms, office partitions

Cost: £35-50/m² + VAT (£50-70/m² for soundproof spec)

Timber Stud Walls

Similar to metal stud but using 75mm or 100mm timber framing. Timber studs are easier to fix to (for hanging heavy items later) and slightly better for soundproofing when filled with acoustic insulation.

Best for: Traditional builds, where fixings will be needed

Cost: £35-50/m² + VAT

Soundproofing with Dry Lining

If you're creating a partition and noise is a concern, we can build to higher soundproofing standards:

• Acoustic plasterboard (higher density than standard)
• Rockwool or similar acoustic insulation between studs
• Double-layer plasterboard on one or both sides
• Resilient bars to decouple the board from the frame

This significantly reduces sound transmission. Typical applications include bedrooms above living spaces, home offices, and party walls in converted properties.

Insulated Dry Lining

For cold external walls, we can use insulated plasterboard (Kingspan, Celotex, or similar bonded to standard plasterboard). This adds thermal insulation and stops condensation forming on cold walls. Thicknesses range from 25mm to 100mm depending on how much insulation you need.

Insulated dry lining is particularly effective in Exeter's older solid-wall properties where external wall insulation isn't possible or desirable.

The Dry Lining Process

Here's what happens when you book dry lining work:

1. Free survey: We measure the area, discuss requirements (soundproofing, insulation, doorways)
2. Written quote: Detailed breakdown of materials and labour
3. Frame construction (for stud walls): Metal or timber frame built to exact dimensions
4. Services: Space left for cables, pipes, sockets (electrician/plumber required separately)
5. Insulation (if required): Acoustic or thermal insulation fitted between studs
6. Boarding: Plasterboard fixed with screws, joints staggered
7. Jointing: Scrim tape and jointing compound applied to all joints
8. Skimming: Thin skim coat over the boards for a perfect finish
9. Drying: 1-2 days before painting

Fire-Rated Dry Lining

For walls requiring fire resistance (between flats, around stairwells, garage conversions), we use fire-rated plasterboard and construction methods that meet Building Regulations. Typical fire ratings are 30 minutes or 60 minutes. We can advise on what's required and certify the work.

Fixing Things to Plasterboard Walls

Plasterboard is hollow, so you can't just screw into it. For heavy items (shelves, TVs, radiators), use:

• Plasterboard fixings (spring toggles, cavity anchors) for moderate loads
• Locate the studs and screw directly into them for heavy loads
• Ask us to fit timber noggins (horizontal bracing) at specific heights during installation

Tell us during the survey if you plan to hang heavy items, and we'll add noggins in the right places.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a stud wall?

A typical bedroom partition (3m wide × 2.4m high) costs £350-500 + VAT for basic metal stud construction with standard plasterboard. Soundproofing, insulation, or fire-rating increases the cost. We provide a fixed-price quote before starting.

How thick is a stud wall?

A standard metal stud wall is 100mm thick (70mm studs + 12.5mm board each side). Soundproof walls can be 125-150mm to accommodate thicker insulation or double layers of board.

Can you soundproof an existing wall?

Yes. We can build a thin soundproof lining (50-75mm) in front of an existing wall using resilient bars, acoustic insulation, and acoustic plasterboard. This reduces the room size slightly but significantly improves sound insulation.

How long does dry lining take?

A single partition wall in a bedroom takes 1-2 days including jointing and skimming. Larger projects (whole-room dry lining, multiple partitions) take longer. The skim coat needs 1-2 days to dry before you can decorate.