Drywall · Partition Solutions
Drywall Partition Solutions with Stud & Runner Framing
Jawdah's partition solution is a non-load-bearing interior wall built from gypsum boards screwed to both faces of a hot-dipped galvanized Stud and Runner frame.
A drywall partition divides space without wet trades. Runners are fixed to the floor and soffit, studs stand vertically inside them, and gypsum boards close each side. The hollow core between the faces carries cables and pipes and can hold insulation where the design calls for it.
Jawdah supplies the partition components for projects across Saudi Arabia: gypsum boards in Regular (RG), Fire Resistant (FR), Moisture Resistant (MR) and Fire & Moisture Resistant (FMR) types, Stud and Runner profiles, and screws and fixings. This page covers how a partition is put together, how to choose boards and layers, and what to plan for doors, fixtures and service access.
- Wall framingStud & Runner
- Framing thickness0.35 mm up to 0.9 mm
- Board typesRG / FR / MR / FMR
Quick answer
A drywall partition is an interior wall of gypsum boards fixed to a galvanized steel Stud and Runner frame. With Jawdah components, boards are 1200 × 2400 mm in RG, FR, MR or FMR types and 9.5 to 18 mm thick; studs and runners are hot dipped galvanized to ASTM A653M. The number of board layers and their thickness are chosen from the partition height and the insulation and fire requirements in the project specification.
What a stud and runner partition does
Partitions are the most common drywall application in offices, hospitals, schools, hotels and residential towers. They subdivide floors quickly, keep the dead load on the structure low and leave a cavity for services. Because they are screwed together rather than built in mortar, layouts can be changed later with limited disruption.
Jawdah's board data lists interior wall partitions first among its applications, and its drywall component list assigns Stud and Runner profiles to wall partitions. The same boards are used on ceilings and linings, so a project can keep one board specification across all its drywall.
Jawdah components for partitions
A Jawdah partition package draws on three product groups: the boards, the wall framing and the fixings. The specific values for each are set out in the specification table further down this page.
- Boards: Regular (RG), Fire Resistant (FR), Moisture Resistant (MR), Fire & Moisture Resistant (FMR)
- Board size 1200 × 2400 mm standard; other dimensions available upon request
- Wall framing: Stud & Runner plus accessories
- Framing in hot dipped galvanized iron complying with ASTM A653M
- Gypsum board screws in galvanized steel, 25 mm up to 38 mm
- Metal fixation screws in galvanized steel, 13 mm up to 38 mm
Partition anatomy
Runners are U-shaped tracks fixed along the floor and the soffit or ceiling line. Studs are C-shaped vertical members cut to the partition height and set inside the runners at regular centres. Where a partition meets a wall or column, a stud is fixed to that surface as the end member. Boards are screwed to the stud flanges on both sides, with vertical joints landing on studs.
At doors, the opening is framed with studs on each side and a runner section across the head; heavy or frequently used doors usually need reinforced jambs, which is a design decision for the project. Joint tape, compound and corner protection finish the surface ready for paint or tiles.
How the partition carries load and resists movement
The partition is self-supporting, not structural. Studs carry the boards and resist sideways pressure from people, doors and air movement, while the boards brace the studs and stop them twisting. That composite action is why both faces must be fully screwed at the specified spacing before the wall reaches its intended stiffness.
The head runner holds the top of the studs but should allow for movement of the slab above, especially under long spans. Detailing that deflection gap belongs to the project design; Jawdah's data confirms that its framing offers appropriate load carrying capacity for boards but does not publish height tables.
Choosing the board type for each partition
Jawdah's board selection guidance maps each type to the areas where partitions are usually built. Both faces of a partition do not have to be the same: a wall between a corridor and a bathroom can take RG on the dry side and MR on the wet side.
| Board type | Where to use it in partitions |
|---|---|
| Regular (RG) | General interior walls and partitions in dry areas |
| Moisture Resistant (MR) | Partitions facing bathrooms, kitchens, laundry or other humid rooms |
| Fire Resistant (FR) | Walls and shafts where the specification calls for additional fire performance |
| Fire & Moisture Resistant (FMR) | Wet areas inside fire-rated construction |
Layers, height, fire and acoustic design (general guidance)
Jawdah's guidance is that the number of layers and the board thickness are chosen according to the partition height and the insulation and fire-resistance requirements in the project specification. In general terms, taller walls need deeper or heavier studs, closer stud centres or more board layers to stay stiff; more and thicker board layers add mass and fire protection; and an insulated cavity improves sound insulation.
Acoustic performance of a partition comes from the whole build-up: board mass on each face, cavity depth, insulation in the cavity, separation of the two faces and the sealing of every gap at the perimeter and around services. A single unsealed socket box can undo the benefit of an extra board layer. Jawdah's data does not give a measured sound-insulation value for a partition, so any acoustic target must be met by a tested system design for the project.
Fire performance likewise belongs to the complete wall. FR and FMR boards are the building blocks, but the rating of a partition depends on board layers, framing, joint treatment, fixings and the sealing of penetrations as designed and tested. Specify the required performance and confirm the build-up with the consultant.
Partition specification data
Use the values below when writing the partition section of a specification or checking a submittal. All values are as stated in Jawdah's product data.
| Component | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Gypsum board | Thickness | 9.5 / 12.5 / 15 / 16 / 18 mm |
| Gypsum board | Size | 1200 × 2400 mm; other dimensions on request |
| Gypsum board | Edges | Tapered and square |
| Gypsum board | Standards | ASTM C1396 and EN-520; tested per ASTM C473-06a |
| Stud & Runner | Material | Hot dipped galvanized iron, ASTM A653M |
| Stud & Runner | Thickness | 0.35 / 0.4 / 0.45 / 0.5 / 0.6 up to 0.9 mm |
| Stud & Runner | Humidity resistance (raw material) | Up to 1000 HRS, EN ISO 6270-2 |
| Board screws | Length | 25 mm up to 38 mm |
Board weight and core density vary according to thickness and type.
Doors, fixtures and service access in partitions
Services in the cavity often need inspection: valves for wash basins, plumbing manifolds, electrical junctions. Plan partition access doors at these points so the wall never has to be cut open. Jawdah's partition access door range includes gypsum partition access doors as well as manual lock and automatic lock items.
Wall-hung items such as basins, cabinets, handrails and TVs need backing or reinforcement inside the cavity at the right height; a bare board alone is not a fixing base for heavy loads. Mark these on the partition drawings before boarding so the installer can add support while the frame is open.
Installation sequence for a partition
Set out the wall line on the floor and transfer it to the soffit. Fix the floor and head runners, then cut studs to height and place them in the runners, fixing them with metal fixation screws where required. Board one side, install services and any insulation in the cavity, then board the second side, offsetting joints from the first face. Treat joints, internal and external corners, and screw heads, then finish.
With two layers per face, joints in the outer layer are staggered from those in the inner layer, and longer screws from Jawdah's 25 mm to 38 mm range are used for the outer layer. The Jawdah Installation Manual, available in hard copy, sets out the system details.
Quality checks before the wall is closed
Most partition defects are hidden once the second face is boarded, so inspect at the open-frame stage.
- Runners straight, on line and fixed at both floor and head
- Studs plumb and at the designed centres
- Board type on each face matches the room schedule
- Services tested and backing installed for wall-hung items
- Access door frames positioned before boarding
- Perimeter gaps and penetrations sealed where acoustic or fire performance is required
- Screws set just below the paper surface without tearing it
Partition mistakes that show up later
The following errors are common on site and usually cost more to correct than to prevent.
- Building tall partitions with the lightest studs and widest centres
- Using RG on the wet face of a bathroom wall
- Expecting acoustic privacy without insulation or perimeter sealing
- Hanging basins or cabinets on board without internal backing
- Omitting access doors for valves inside the wall
- Claiming a wall fire rating from the board type alone
Why use Jawdah components for partitions
Jawdah manufactures gypsum boards in the Kingdom and supplies them directly to contractors in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other cities, together with the Stud and Runner framing and fixings that complete the wall. Buying board, frame and screws as one package keeps submittals consistent and reduces site mismatches. The Gypsum Plasterboard Technical Data Sheet and Drywall Suspension System Technical Data Sheet are requested from the Jawdah team.
Key facts
- Jawdah drywall partitions use Stud and Runner framing with gypsum boards on both faces.
- Jawdah studs and runners are hot dipped galvanized iron complying with ASTM A653M, 0.35 mm up to 0.9 mm thick.
- Jawdah advises choosing partition board layers and thickness by wall height and the insulation and fire requirements.
- Moisture Resistant (MR) gypsum boards are used on partitions facing bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
- Jawdah gypsum board screws for partitions are galvanized steel, 25 mm up to 38 mm long.
- The fire and acoustic performance of a drywall partition depends on its complete build-up, not on one board type.
RFQ / BOQ checklist
- Partition lengths and heights per wall type
- Board type on each face: RG, MR, FR or FMR
- Board thickness and layers per face
- Stud and runner steel thickness
- Fire or acoustic performance required by the specification
- Cavity insulation requirement
- Door openings and reinforced jamb locations
- Backing for wall-hung fixtures
- Access door positions and sizes
- Screw lengths for single or double boarding
- Drawings, wall-type schedule and BOQ
- Delivery city and floor-by-floor phasing
15–18In preparation
Further chapters in preparation
These parts of the product page are being prepared with the Jawdah technical team and will be published once verified.
Closer look
Detailed product imagery is being prepared.
Technical resources
Technical documentation is being prepared for this product.
Projects using this product
Project references are being prepared.
Compatible systems
System relationships for this product are being prepared.
Our technical team can share the current information on request.
Ask the technical teamFrequently asked questions
What is a stud and runner partition?
It is a non-load-bearing interior wall in which horizontal runners are fixed to floor and soffit, vertical studs stand inside them, and gypsum boards are screwed to both faces of the studs.
How many board layers does a drywall partition need?
Jawdah's guidance is to choose the number of layers and the board thickness according to the partition height and the insulation and fire requirements in the project specification. Tall, fire-separating or acoustic walls typically need more layers.
Which board goes on the bathroom side of a partition?
A Moisture Resistant (MR) board, or Fire & Moisture Resistant (FMR) where the wall is also part of fire-rated construction. The dry side can use Regular (RG) boards.
What thickness are Jawdah studs and runners?
Jawdah lists 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5 and 0.6 mm, up to 0.9 mm, with other thicknesses available upon request. The required gauge depends on the wall height and loads and is set by the project design.
Does an FR board make my partition fire rated?
Not on its own. FR boards are a component; the fire performance of a partition depends on the complete tested build-up of boards, framing, joints, fixings and sealed penetrations.
Can I hang a basin or cabinet on a drywall partition?
Yes, if backing or reinforcement is installed inside the cavity before boarding. Board alone should not be relied on for heavy wall-hung items.
How do I reach valves inside a partition?
Install a partition access door at the valve position before the second face is boarded; Jawdah's partition access door range covers gypsum doors and manual lock and automatic lock items.
Which screws fix boards to studs?
Galvanized gypsum board screws from Jawdah's range of 25 mm up to 38 mm; metal fixation screws from 13 mm up to 38 mm join framing members where needed.
19Next step
Price your partition walls with Jawdah
Send the wall-type schedule, heights and room list. Jawdah will propose boards, studs, runners and fixings for each partition type and prepare a quotation.