How To Clad A Stud Wall With PlasterboardCladding a stud wall frame with plasterboard isn’t a difficult task but it is tricky. Actually heaving the boards into position and keeping them there whilst they are attached to the wall isn’t easy so it is always best to try and have an extra person to help. The most difficult part of the job is cutting the plasterboard to size. The material is extremely fragile and very easy to snap – so take care when preparing the boards to always carry them on edge. Accidents are always likely if the boards are carried flat with them likely to break in two at any given moment. Of course, once the panels are attached to the stud wall they are very strong – but until they are safely up take extra care. Plasterboard is usually supplied in large 8’x4’ sheets although different sizes are available. For cladding a stud wall however the standard sized sheets are the most convenient to use. Cladding A Stud Wall Using ¼ inch plasterboard firstly measure the floor-to-ceiling (or bottom plate to head plate) height and cut the first panel to fit leaving a ¾ or 1 inch gap at the bottom to aid fixing. This gap will be cloaked after the wall is finished by the addition of the skirting board. Cut the panel by sawing or scoring through the backing paper and into the plaster and (carefully) snapping the board over a length of wood – finish the cut by cutting along the split from the opposite side. If preferred the board can be cut all the way through by using a very fine toothed saw. Before fixing the plasterboard to the stud wall cut out any apertures for sockets etc., as it is much easier to do this now then when the board has been nailed into position. Begin cladding the stud wall from the top left hand corner by placing the panel flush with the ceiling (or top of head plate if working on a new loft wall) and fix into place with galvanized plasterboard nails driven through the panels and into the timber framework of the stud wall with the nails being around six inches apart.
After cladding one side of the wall, and before beginning on the other side, lay insulation blankets between the studs unless you are using thermal boarding. Types Of Plasterboard Standard panels, as used for cladding stud walls, can be supplied with either squared or tapered edges and with either 3/8” or ½” thickness. For best results it is advisable to use the ½” size with (my preference here) squared edges. Where extra insulation is needed special thermal panels can be used. Related Articles How to install loft insulation Or
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