Building a partition wall sounds simple enough — until you’re standing in the hardware store trying to remember how many metal studs you need for a 15 sq.m. wall. That’s what this (wall materials breakdown per sqm) calculator is for . Plug in your wall area, pick your wall type, and you’ll get the exact quantities to bring to your supplier.
Three wall types are covered here, which also happen to be the three most common in Philippine residential construction: plywood or fiber cement board on a metal frame, plywood on a lumber frame, and concrete hollow block (CHB) with plaster finish on both sides.
This is the typical walls of Filipino houses. These factors has enough wastage (very conservative, in fact).
How to use this wall materials breakdown per sqm calculator?All you have to do is put the TOTAL square meter area and put local prices and you should get the total number of materials needed for you to construct your do-it-yourself partition walls.
Partition Wall Materials Calculator
Enter your total wall area and your local prices to get the total estimated cost.
* Price/unit is optional — type your local price to compute total cost.
| Material | Unit | Per sqm | You need | Price/unit (₱) | Total (₱) |
|---|
* Quantities include wastage allowance. Factors cover both faces of the wall. Always round up when purchasing. Labor cost not included.
Factors below sets as the baseline data of this calculator.
Plywood / Drywall on Metal Frame
| Materials Description | Unit | QTY |
| 4′ x 8′ – Plywood / Fiber Cement Board | pc | 0.73 |
| 3m Length – Metal Studs | pc | 1.20 |
| Rivets | pc | 14.00 |
| Metal Screw | pc | 4.00 |
Plywood / Drywall on Metal Frame
This is increasingly the go-to for interior partitions — especially in condos and newer homes. Metal studs are lighter than lumber, won’t warp, and don’t attract termites. The fiber cement board option is also more fire-resistant than plain plywood, which matters if you’re walling off a kitchen or utility area.
The 14 rivets per sq.m. might seem like a lot, but remember this covers both faces of the wall — you’re fastening board on both sides to the same metal frame.
Plywood Partition on Lumber Frame
| Materials Description | Unit | QTY |
| 4′ x 8′ – Marine Plywood | pc | 0.73 |
| 8′ – 2″x2″ Lumber | pc | 1.42 |
| Common Nails | pc | 26.00 |
| Concrete Nails (for concrete anchoring – may vary) | pc | 6.00 |
Plywood on Lumber Frame
The traditional approach, still widely used in provincial construction and low-cost housing because lumber is often locally available and cheaper. The 2″x2″ at 1.42 pcs per sq.m. accounts for vertical studs plus horizontal blocking. The concrete nails (6 pcs per sq.m.) are specifically for anchoring the bottom and top plates to the concrete floor and ceiling slab.
Concrete Hollow Block Wall (Plastered, both sides)
| Masonry Wall | Unit | QTY |
| 4″ Concrete Hollow Block | pcs | 12.5 |
| Cement | bag | 0.53 |
| Sand | cu.m. | 0.04 |
| 6m Length – 10mm Deformed Reinforcing Bars | pc | 0.40 |
| No. 16 Tie Wire | kg | 0.05 |
| Cement Plaster Finish – 2 faces | ||
| Cement | bag | 0.64 |
| Fine Sand | cu.m. | 0.054 |
Concrete Hollow Block Wall (Plastered, Both Sides)
CHB walls are heavier, more permanent, and better for sound insulation — which is why they’re preferred for bedroom partitions and walls between units. The 4″ CHB is the standard for interior partitions; don’t confuse it with 6″ CHB, which has a completely different material ratio and is typically used for exterior or load-bearing walls.
The materials here are split into two groups: the masonry work (CHB, cement, sand, rebars, tie wire) and the cement plaster finish on both faces (cement + fine sand). When you’re budgeting, treat these separately — plastering is often done by a different crew and at a different stage of construction.
This is a wall material breakdown per sqm guide and you should be able to get a rough estimate (close to actual) materials breakdown. 4″ is used in the concrete hollow block as it is the typical indoor CHB wall size for partitions. Note that materials breakdown for 4″ and 6″ concrete hollow block is NOT the same.
FAQ
Is 4″ CHB strong enough for interior partition walls?
Yes — 4″ CHB is the standard for non-load-bearing interior partitions in Philippine residential construction. For exterior walls or walls that carry load, use 6″ CHB with the appropriate rebar spacing.
Can I use fiber cement board instead of plywood on a metal frame?
Absolutely, and in many cases it’s the better choice. Fiber cement board is more moisture-resistant and fire-rated, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and areas that need better fire separation. The material factor is the same — 0.73 pcs per sq.m.
What’s the difference between common nails and concrete nails in the lumber frame tab?
Common nails are for fastening the plywood sheets to the lumber studs. Concrete nails are specifically for anchoring the lumber frame to the concrete floor or ceiling slab — they’re hardened and can be driven directly into concrete.
Does the CHB plaster factor cover both sides?
Yes. The 0.64 bags of cement and 0.054 cu.m. of fine sand per sq.m. for plaster already accounts for two faces of the wall.
Check other construction data with the same concept on the links below.
Roofing Works Materials Breakdown per Square Meter
Painting Works Materials Breakdown per Square Meter
Tiling Works Materials Breakdown per Square Meter
Ceiling Construction Materials Breakdown per Square Meter
Metal Gate Construction Materials Breakdown and Prices
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