Stud walls, CLS, 50x75 or 50x100? & distance between studs?

[bristolbaron]

I really must get around to starting a build thread for the new place, but in the mean time have a couple of questions..

The top floor is currently made up of 50x75mm stud walls at seemingly random intervals. As they were covered in lath & plaster there were no worries over plasterboard sizes!

Pretty much every wall is being moved, so a fresh start.

CLS seems to be the standard now for studwork. Do I replace everything in 38x89mm, or go with more 50x75 so I can reuse a load of what I have? I'm not against going for 50x100 either, for the price difference I like the idea of walls being as solid as possible!

I'm also trying to get my head around door frames.. Widths and depths. Do I stick at 400 centres and a frame will slot straight in between two or do i need to fit the studs around the frame?

Hopefully this all doesn't make me look completely inept! If the responce is a resounding 'get a bloke in' I'll consider it though!

Cheers

Baz

[jules_s]

Wood studs are yesteryear

All metal these days

[bristolbaron]

Oh really? I hadn't even looked into metal, easier/harder to deal with? I'd imagine gettign a fram together could be easier, how about fixing plasterboard? Don't tell me that's old hat too?!

[V8RX7]

I still use CLS.

I use the larger 3x2 (different co. sell different sizes) I haven't found a noticeable difference using 4x2 CLS (which I use if I'm extending a brick wall)

I use 400 centres (some use 600)

I like wide door openings so use 838 doors, 3mm all round plus 32mm frame = 908mm gap

[jules_s]

Yep

Easier, lighter, the Polish put them up quicker/cheaper etc etc

TBH I haven't seen a wood stud put up in 10+ years but I don't design domestic builds

[Mojooo]

I had both wood and CLS put into my house.

The more important factor is how thick you want the wall - mine are 75mm with insulation. I think 38mm would be a tad thin with insulation.

[dmsims]

Nail it or screw ?

[Alucidnation]

50x100 is a much better job and will provide good a good solid wall once the plasterboard is attached.

[Saleen836]

dmsims said:

Nail it or screw ?

Screw!!
Unless you want nails popping once evertyhing is settled

[21TonyK]

And make sure you stagger the board joints on the opposing sides of the wall.

[dmsims]

Saleen836 said:

dmsims said:

Nail it or screw ?

Screw!!
Unless you want nails popping once evertyhing is settled

Thanks, every stud wall I've taken down has been nailed

[Rosscow]

jules_s said:

Wood studs are yesteryear

All metal these days

Timber over metal for me!

And OP, thicker stud means you can put in thicker insulation which means warmer and quieter. Go with the 4" x 2".

Always nice when you can pick up a decent stud for fixing things to as well (pictures, shelves, etc.)

[Neil - YVM]

Metal is for speed and low cost, hence why so many new build use.

4x2 will give a more solid feel, and screwed rather than nailed.

[bristolbaron]

Thanks all.

I looked into metal last night and it does look great in terms of ease. As above though, not certain it would end up giving the same solid feel in a 30's residential property.

Will look at pricing up 50x100 and go from there.

[olimain]

50x100 spaced at either 400 or 450 centres (depending on whether you're using 2400x1200 or 1800x900 plasterboard).

[Eddieslofart]

bristolbaron said:

Thanks all.

I looked into metal last night and it does look great in terms of ease. As above though, not certain it would end up giving the same solid feel in a 30's residential property.

Will look at pricing up 50x100 and go from there.

Don't forget insulation.

[dmsims]

Assuming 50x100 what size screws?

[GrumpyTwig]

Having recently built some new internal stud walls I suppose one advantage of the metal stuff is it'll be arrow straight, wood tends to vary slightly as a natural material.

Not sure I'd want to use metal though.


Someone mentioned insulation, is celotex basically the best option?

[V8RX7]

People put rockwool in there for "noise insulation" but if there is a door in the wall it's a complete waste of time.

I defy anyone to tell whether a studwork as been screwed or nailed together.

I haven't seen anyone nail boards on for over 10 yrs

[plfrench]

GrumpyTwig said:

Someone mentioned insulation, is celotex basically the best option?

No, whilst Celotex is great for thermal insulation, this isn't what you need for internal walls within a dwelling. Mineral wool insulation such as Isover APR1200 is the sort of material you need for acoustic performance.

With like for like stud and insulation spec, metal studs will give a better acoustic performance due to the smaller percentage of bridge. AcouStuds are even better as they break the straight line for acoustic transmission between one side of a partition and another. Better still use Resilient Bar to one or both sides of the partition.