What is it?
Pattressing refers to a piece of solid timber board installed within a stud wall to provide a secure fixing point for heavier items such as shelves, TVs, or heavy picture frames that will later be attached to the wall. Pattressing is installed during the wall construction stage, before the plasterboard is fixed. Once the wall is finished, the pattress is concealed behind the lining but provides a strong backing for fixings.
Noggings refers to short horizontal pieces of timber or metal installed between vertical studs within a stud wall to prevent twisting and add rigidty to the studs. They are typically fixed between studs at set heights during the framing stage. In metal stud systems, equivalent components may be purpose-made bridging sections or track pieces. Nogging is installed before wall linings such as plasterboard and is usually concealed within the wall once complete.
These terms are sometimes used interchangably, but typically pattressing is formed from sheets of timber wheras noggins are lengths of timber or metal.
- 1Plasterboard
- 2Pattress
- 3Metal Stud
- 4Base Track
- 5Slab
- 1Metal Stud
- 2Metal Nogging
What does it do?
Stiffening the stud wall
By tying studs together, noggings increase the rigidity of the wall and help reduce twisting or movement of individual studs during construction and use.
Provides fixing support
Pattressing creates a solid and secure fixing point within the wall, allowing heavy or load-bearing items to be safely attached.
Increases durability
Pattressing prevents damage to the plasterboard which may not be strong enough to support heavy items, causing damage and cracking.
Where is it used?
Wiithin metal stud and timber stud partition walls, behind wall-mounted fixtures such as:
- TVs
- cabinets and shelving
- radiators
- handrails
- sanitary fittings (e.g. basins, grab rails)
It may aslo be installed in areas where future fixings may be required but exact positions are not yet known.
Types
Nogging varies depending on the wall system and purpose.
Metal nogging / bridging
Used in metal stud systems, often formed from metal sections or proprietary components designed to fit within the stud profile.
Pattressing (heavy-duty support)
Timber nogging
Common in timber stud walls, using short lengths of timber fixed between studs.
Typical sizes
Nogging size generally matches the depth of the studs within the wall.
How to specify
Noggings within the wall that are used for structural stability do not need to be specified by the architect, this is usually the responsilbility of the installer.
Pattressing may need to be set-out by the architect, who will be responsibly for indicating to the installer where it is required based on anticipated wall-mounted items.
Identify fixing requirements
Determine where heavy or load-bearing items will be fixed to walls, such as joinery, radiators, or sanitaryware. These can be marked on a plan or elevation if it does not occupy the enitre wall height.Select appropriate material and size
Typically this will be boards of plywood or OSB
Other considerations
Pattressing must be installed before plasterboard is fixed, so coordination and early decision-making are important.
If pattressing is not installed where required, retrofitting can be difficult and may require opening up finished walls.
The exact position of pattressing should be accurately recorded or marked to ensure it can be located after the wall is finished.
Interacting elements
Pattressing is installed within stud walls and works alongside several other elements.
- Metal studs or timber framing: Provide the structure to which pattressing is fixed
- Plasterboard: Conceals the pattressing and transfers loads to it through fixings
- Fixings: Screws or bolts pass through the plasterboard into the pattressing
- Services: Pipes and cables run within the same cavity and must be coordinated
- Wall-mounted fixtures: Items such as cabinets, radiators, or TVs are fixed back to the pattressing