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why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?
6

why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

(OP)
Why is 16" the magical number?  Does this have to do with standard drywall panel sizes?

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

Wall panel sheet products (drywall) are typially 48" wide.  In some cases drywall panels are installed horizontally in 8 ft or 12 ft sections.

16" is for equal spacing, however 24" is commonly used. But this will depend on the spanning strength of the wall panel being used.

16" is the most commonly specified (and traditonal) spacing
 

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

If you look at your handy dandy tape measure, you'll also notice a mark at 19.2 inches.  This is an alternate spacing for 5 studs every 8'-0".

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

If you go 24" with drywall then you better use 5/8" so that it is not wavy.

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

2x4 studs are sometimes spaced at 12" also, depending on the structural requirements.  2x6 studs are sometimes installed at 24" oc.   

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

2
16" oc allows even spacing on 48" panel intervals, and its just about the minimum space that some contractors can fit through without snagging their belt buckle.

smile

 

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

The spacing of wall studs is dependent on the load they are carrying.  Spacings of 16", 12" & 8" are very common for load bearing walls.  Non-load bearing wall studs are usually spaced at 24" o.c so that the wall panel edges terminate at a stud.   

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

It's interesting to note that old walls constructed with studs, wood lath and plaster are also spaced at 16... question still not answered?

Dik

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

3
" Light Frame House Construction " US Office of Education 1940 Reprint  " the standard length of lath has established 16" as the standard spacing for studs " ..... "A Museum of Early American Tools" Eric Sloane p 32-33 illustrates the making , with a froe, of "accordian lath" where an oak slab is partially split on alternating sides and pulled apart like an accordian !....Wood lath uses green wood and is thouroughly wet before use so the wood doesn't absorb water from the plaster.So a convenient width of wood for the accordian lath was 16" ,that established 16" stud distance which became standard .2thumbsup

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

Great research, Robertmet.  Now everybody will want to know what a froe is.

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

froe = 60's - 70's hair style

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

No, it's what my 2-year old did with his ball.

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

idea  Actually, going back further to ancient Britannia, prior to the invention of the measuring rule, the standard of measure was the length of the forearm, or about 16".  Hence, the 16" standard.   

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: why are partition studs spaced @ 16"?

Ya mikey... you deserve a star, too...

Dik

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