Drywall construction

Drywall construction refers to a building method in which walls, ceilings, and floors are constructed without the use of water-based building materials such as plaster or screed. Instead, lightweight structures made of metal studs and gypsum board, gypsum fiber board, or wood-based panels are used. Drywall construction enables fast, flexible, and clean construction projects, which are particularly useful for renovations, conversions, and interior finishing of properties-without long drying times and with minimal mess.

Applications and System Solutions in Drywall Construction

Drywall construction projects cover three main areas of application:

Partition Walls: Non-load-bearing interior walls made of metal stud framing (CW and UW profiles) and gypsum board (GK) or gypsum fiber board (GF). The construction consists of a metal frame clad with panels on both sides; the cavity can be filled with mineral wool for sound and thermal insulation. Double or triple paneling and separate stud frames enable very high sound insulation values (up to Rw = 60 dB).

Suspended ceilings: Gypsum board ceilings suspended from the raw ceiling using spring clips or direct hangers. Application: Visual design (niches, steps), concealment of installations (pipes, cables, ventilation ducts), improvement of room acoustics and sound insulation, integration of lighting. With proper planning, suspended ceilings can also make a significant contribution to impact sound insulation between floors.

Cladding panels: Lightweight structures placed in front of existing walls-either freestanding (unattached) or mounted to the wall (double-sided). Applications: Cladding of old, non-renovable plaster walls; routing of utility lines (electrical, plumbing); retroactive thermal insulation of exterior walls (inside insulation).

System providers such as Knauf, Saint-Gobain (Rigips), and SINIAT offer coordinated system solutions that also meet increased requirements for sound insulation (up to EI 90), fire protection (F 90), and suitability for damp rooms (H2/H3 panels)-through special panel types, standard-compliant joint compounds, and certified installation details.

Advantages and Limitations of Drywall Construction

Advantages:

• Quick installation without long drying times - drywall work can usually be completed within days, whereas masonry work takes weeks
• High flexibility in floor plans - partition walls can be removed if necessary without causing significant damage
• Good integration options for electrical, heating, and plumbing lines within the cavities
• Low load on the supporting structure - particularly important for wooden beam ceilings in older buildings
• Good thermal and sound insulation properties when the right system is chosen and the work is performed in accordance with standards

Limitations:

• Drywall constructions are non-load-bearing - they must not bear loads from ceilings or other structural elements and must be clearly designed as room dividers
• In wet rooms (bathroom, kitchen, laundry room), special green-core wet-room panels (GKFI) and underlying waterproof sealing systems (WF or W1 sealing according to DIN 18534) are required - standard gypsum board swells and develops mold when exposed to prolonged moisture
• Suspended loads (cabinets, heavy mirrors, grab bars in the bathroom) require reinforcement layers planned in advance or special heavy-duty anchors; spontaneous installation in any location can damage the structure

Drywall Construction in Renovation and Remodeling: What Homeowners Need to Know

For renovations in single-family homes and condominiums, drywall construction is the most cost-effective and time-saving solution for floor plan modifications. In condominium properties, the following must be observed: The erection or removal of walls within individual units is generally permitted as long as no load-bearing parts of the common property are affected. For alterations to load-bearing structures (ceilings, load-bearing walls), a structural engineer must be consulted, and the homeowners’ association must give its consent.

In Bavaria, no building permit is required for the installation of non-load-bearing interior walls (drywall) in existing buildings (Art. 57 BayBO, projects exempt from the permitting process). Exceptions apply in cases of changes in use (e.g., converting an office into several individual rooms with altered escape route configurations) or when altering historically protected structures.

Practical Tip for Property Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In Nuremberg’s older buildings from the Wilhelminian era, gypsum board cladding is frequently installed during renovations to restore old plaster walls, run new wiring, and simultaneously achieve better thermal insulation. Especially in buildings with sandstone masonry-typical of Nuremberg’s Old Town and the Gründerzeit houses in Gostenhof, Johannis, and the Südstadt-internal insulation via a cladding system is often the only way to improve thermal insulation without altering the building’s exterior appearance.

We recommend consulting a certified drywall contractor during the planning phase-not every tradesperson is familiar with the various system requirements for sound insulation, fire protection, and moisture resistance. When installing interior insulation, attention must also be paid to the dew point: An improperly planned cladding system without a vapor barrier can cause moisture damage in the wall structure that is more difficult to repair than the original wall. An energy consultant or building expert should oversee the interior insulation planning. There are many qualified specialist companies in Nuremberg and the surrounding region that we can refer you to upon request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drywall construction cheaper than solid masonry construction?

For non-load-bearing interior walls, drywall construction is generally more affordable and significantly faster to install. One running meter of drywall partition (simple sheathing, without special sound insulation requirements) costs approx. 80-150 euros including materials and installation when completed; a masonry wall of comparable size costs 150-250 euros, but takes significantly longer and has drying times of several weeks, which delay the overall construction process. For load-bearing walls, masonry is the standard solution and cannot be replaced by drywall.

What sound insulation requirements apply to drywall partitions?

According to DIN 4109, apartment partitions between two different residential units must achieve a rated sound insulation index R’w of at least 53 dB (minimum requirement). With double-shell stud systems (separate stud frames without direct connection) and multi-layer sheathing, values up to 60-65 dB are possible-this corresponds to enhanced sound insulation and offers a noticeable improvement in comfort. Partition walls within an apartment (e.g., between a bedroom and a hallway) have lower requirements (R’w ≥ 35 dB). Choosing the right system is crucial-a certified specialist contractor is familiar with the manufacturers’ system data sheets and test certificates.

Do I need a permit to install a drywall partition?

In Bavaria, the installation of non-load-bearing interior walls (drywall) within an existing building is generally exempt from the permitting process under Art. 57 BayBO - no building permit is required. Exceptions apply if the work changes the type of use (e.g., an office space is converted into several separate office units with their own fire safety plan) or if load-bearing elements or the building’s structural integrity are affected. In listed buildings, the Lower Monument Protection Authority of the City of Nuremberg must be contacted in advance-there, drywall work may also require approval if it affects the building’s heritage-relevant structure.

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