What is a dry lining wall?

A dry lining wall (Dutch: voorzetwand, sometimes voorzetmuur) is a wall placed in front of an existing wall. It is usually installed on the inside, with a small gap and insulation material between the old wall and the new one. It can be made of brick, a timber stud frame or a metal stud system with board material.

What is a dry lining wall for?

• Thermal insulation: especially for solid walls without a cavity, which cannot be given cavity insulation.
• Penetrating damp: the new wall stands free of an outer wall that is prone to damp.
• Sound: a lining wall on its own stud frame can reduce noise from the neighbours.
• Finish: concealing a crooked or poor wall and creating space for services.

A lining wall without a cavity was formerly also used to strengthen dilapidated walls, as with the klampmuur.

In practice: build-up and points to watch

A commonly used build-up, from inside to outside:

1. finish (plasterboard with a skim or plaster coat);
2. vapour control layer on the warm side, carefully taped to be airtight;
3. timber studs or metal studs with insulation in between;
4. possibly a small gap;
5. the existing outer wall.

Common mistakes and tips:

• Condensation behind the wall: without a properly sealed vapour control layer, warm indoor air can condense behind the insulation on the cold outer wall. Tape seams, junctions and penetrations carefully.
• Solve damp first: never place a lining wall against a wall that is wet from penetrating or rising damp. Solve the cause first.
• Thermal bridges: pay attention to junctions with floors, ceilings, window frames and internal walls. Otherwise condensation or mould quickly develops there.
• Loss of space: expect anything from a few to more than ten centimetres less floor space per wall, depending on the insulation thickness.
• Listed buildings: internal insulation affects the building physics of an old building. For listed buildings, get advice beforehand and, in the Netherlands, ask the municipality whether a permit is required.

Related terms

• Retrofit insulation
• Internal wall insulation
• Klampmuur
• Metal stud
• Vapour control layer
• Thermal bridge
• Condensation

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