Maximum
England
Plasterboard fixing centres
200 mm to ceilings, 300 mm to walls, and 150 mm at board ends
Fixings kept at least 10 mm from cut edges and 13 mm from bound edges
Boards are fixed tightly enough that the surface does not flex, and close enough at the edges to stop cracking along joints.
Basis in regulation
How to check it on site
Check a bay per plot before jointing, including the fixing depth — screws must dimple, not tear the paper.
Common failure
Overdriven screws breaking the board face, so the fixing holds nothing.
Effective from 22 August 2026. Last updated 23 August 2026. This is our editorial summary of publicly available regulation, not building control approval or a warranty determination.