Plasterboard partitions, ceilings and loft conversions in Malta

Metal studs are standard in commercial fit-outs, timber is still common in houses. The specification decides how the wall performs: the board type and thickness, the number of layers, and whether the cavity is filled with mineral wool for sound.

Moving walls affects more than the layout. A new bedroom created by a partition still needs a window or ventilation, and in a house with a loft room or three storeys the escape route matters. Taking a wall out is a different job altogether.

Suspended ceilings hide services in offices, shops and clinics and give access to them through removable tiles. In commercial buildings the ceiling and partitions are often part of the fire strategy, so the fit-out has to keep fire compartments and cavity barriers intact and keep fire-stopping around every cable and duct that passes through. Tell the contractor if the premises are leased; landlords usually require approval of the design and the contractor's insurance and method statements before work starts.

For a business buyer, a good specification names the board system and its tested performance, not just the wall thickness. Ask for the manufacturer's system reference so that what gets built matches what was tested.

Noise between rooms or between a house and its neighbour is one of the most common reasons people ask for extra layers of board, resilient bars, independent linings or acoustic insulation. Results depend heavily on detailing: a gap at the ceiling or a back-to-back socket box can undo much of the benefit.

• the type of work: partition, ceiling, acoustic upgrade, loft conversion
• house, flat or commercial premises, and whether you own or lease it
• approximate room sizes and ceiling heights
• for a loft: the house type, roof shape, and whether you want dormers or roof windows
• whether the finish should be skimmed, taped and jointed, or ready for decoration
• for businesses: working hours, landlord approvals and site rules

Whether the work needs a development permit from the Planning Authority depends on what is built and where; in apartment blocks, the rules of the condominium also apply. Ask before you commit, and let the business tell you which documents it needs from you.

Electrical installation work is carried out by licensed electricians; ask to see the licence and the certificate for the finished installation. Maltese businesses are registered with the Malta Business Registry, so ask for the company registration and VAT numbers, and check whether the quote includes VAT.

Source: mbr.mt

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