How much does a partition wall cost in Malaysia?

Drywall/gypsum partitions cost RM 10–22 per sq ft; brick partitions run RM 18–35 per sq ft. Glass partitions start from RM 45/sq ft for aluminium-framed panels up to RM 150/sq ft for frameless tempered glass.

Is drywall or brick better for a partition wall?

Drywall is faster, cheaper and lighter — ideal for condos and upper floors. Brick is more durable, offers better soundproofing and is preferred for wet areas, bedrooms needing high sound isolation, and ground-floor partitions in landed homes.

Can I add a brick partition wall on the upper floor of my house?

You can, but the floor slab must have adequate load capacity. A half-brick wall weighs around 200 kg per sq m. A structural engineer should confirm slab capacity before heavy masonry partitions are built on upper floors.

How thick is a partition wall in Malaysia?

Half-brick walls are about 150mm (brick 102mm + plaster each side). Full-brick walls are 265mm. Metal-stud drywall partitions are typically 90–125mm including studs and double boards.

How long does it take to build a partition wall?

A drywall partition can be framed and boarded in 1–2 days; finishing and painting adds another 2–3 days. A brick partition takes 3–7 days for laying, curing and plastering, plus painting.

Do I need council approval to add a partition wall in my condo?

Most internal non-structural partition walls do not require council approval. However, condo management committees (MC) may have by-laws requiring prior written approval for renovation works including partitions. Always check your strata by-laws first.

What is the best partition wall for soundproofing in Malaysia?

For good soundproofing in Malaysian homes, double-board drywall with rockwool insulation (STC 45–50) or a half-brick wall (STC 45–52) are the best choices. Single-board drywall (STC 30–35) is not sufficient for bedrooms or home offices where privacy matters.

How much does it cost to add a door opening to a partition wall?

A reinforced concrete lintel over a door opening in a brick wall costs RM 300–800. For drywall, a simple metal-stud header is included in standard installation. The door frame and door itself adds RM 800–2,500 depending on material (hollow-core vs solid timber).

Partition Wall Cost Malaysia 2026

Partition wall costs in Malaysia range from RM 10–35 per sq ft depending on type. Drywall/gypsum board costs RM 10–22/sq ft; brick partitions run RM 18–35/sq ft; framed glass partitions start from RM 45–120/sq ft. Choice depends on permanence, soundproofing needs and structural load.

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By Richard Tan · ClickBina · Klang Valley · Updated 24 May 2026

On this page
Types of Partition Wall Cost Comparison Table Brick Partition Walls Drywall / Gypsum Partition Glass Partition Walls Soundproofing Considerations When to Choose Each Type Worked Example: New Bedroom Common Mistakes Removing a Partition Wall Tips Next Steps Sources & official references

Indicative Klang Valley ranges — get a free quote on WhatsApp.

Types of Partition Wall

Three main types are used in Malaysian landed homes and condos:

Brick partition — permanent, heavy, excellent soundproofing; requires structural assessment if on upper floors.
Drywall / gypsum board — lightweight metal-stud frame with gypsum sheets; fast to build, easy to modify, common in condos.
Glass partition — frameless or framed; maximises light flow; popular in offices and open-plan living areas.

Cost Comparison Table

Type	Cost per sq ft (supply & install)	Typical 100 sq ft wall	Timeline
Brick (half-brick, plastered)	RM 18–30	RM 1,800–3,000	3–7 days
Brick (full-brick, plastered)	RM 25–40	RM 2,500–4,000	4–10 days
Drywall / gypsum (single board)	RM 10–16	RM 1,000–1,600	1–2 days
Drywall (double board, insulated)	RM 16–25	RM 1,600–2,500	1–3 days
Aluminium-framed glass	RM 45–80	RM 4,500–8,000	1–2 days
Frameless tempered glass	RM 80–150	RM 8,000–15,000	1–2 days

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Brick Partition Walls

Half-brick (102mm) or full-brick (215mm) walls are the traditional choice in Malaysian landed homes. Costs include bricks, sand, cement, wire mesh, plastering both faces and primer coat.

Half-brick: sufficient for room dividers; more common; RM 18–30/sq ft.
Full-brick: better soundproofing and thermal mass; used for wet-area walls and external walls; RM 25–40/sq ft.
Weight: half-brick wall weighs ~200 kg/sq m — upper-floor brick partitions need structural engineer sign-off.
Door or window openings require a reinforced concrete lintel — add RM 300–800 per opening.

To demolish an existing non-structural brick wall, see our hacking walls guide →.

Drywall / Gypsum Partition

Metal-stud framed gypsum board partitions are fast, lightweight and easily modified. Preferred in condos where floor loading is restricted and in home-office conversions.

Single-board (12.5mm): basic room divider, fire rating 30 min; RM 10–16/sq ft.
Double-board + rockwool insulation: improved sound rating (STC 45–50); RM 16–25/sq ft.
Finishing: skim coat, tape & joint, primer included; paint as per room spec.
Not suitable for wet areas (bathroom walls) unless moisture-resistant board (green board) specified — add RM 2–4/sq ft.

Glass Partition Walls

Glass partitions maintain visual openness while defining spaces. Used in home studies, living–dining separators, and feature walls.

Aluminium-framed panels: most economical; 8mm tempered glass; RM 45–80/sq ft.
Frameless sliding glass: sleek, full-height panels; RM 80–130/sq ft.
Switchable smart glass (frosted on demand): RM 200–400/sq ft — premium only.
All glass used must be tempered (safety glass) — mandatory per UBBL 1984 for full-height panels.

Soundproofing Considerations

Wall Type	Approximate STC Rating	Suitable for
Drywall single board	STC 30–35	Low-noise separation
Drywall double + rockwool	STC 45–50	Home office, bedroom
Half-brick	STC 45–52	Bedroom, media room
Full-brick	STC 52–58	Practice room, wet area
Glass (single 10mm)	STC 28–32	Visual separation only

When to Choose Each Type

New bedroom on upper floor — drywall (lighter load, faster); add rockwool for STC 45+.
Bathroom / wet wall on ground floor — half-brick; moisture and durability critical.
Home office / study separation — drywall double-board or glass depending on light preference.
Store or utility room — half-brick or drywall; cost efficiency over performance.
Open-plan kitchen / living separator — glass or low drywall knee wall.

Worked Example: Creating a New Bedroom

A homeowner wants to divide a large upstairs master bedroom (300 sq ft) into two rooms by building a 150 sq ft partition wall (15 ft wide × 10 ft high) with a door opening. Comparison of options:

Option	Wall Cost	Door Lintel/Frame	Plaster & Paint	Total Estimate	Timeline
Half-brick partition	RM 2,700–4,500	RM 400–700	RM 600–1,000	RM 3,700–6,200	5–8 days
Drywall double-board + rockwool	RM 2,400–3,750	RM 200–400	Included	RM 2,600–4,150	2–4 days

Add RM 1,500–3,000 for a new hollow-core or solid timber door with ironmongery. Drywall is the recommended choice for this upper-floor application due to the lower weight and faster build time.

Common Mistakes

Building brick on upper floors without checking floor load — half-brick walls weigh ~200 kg/sq m; old slab designs may not accommodate additional masonry without engineer sign-off.
Not leaving an electrical conduit — once the wall is plastered, adding a power point later means chasing the finished wall. Insert a conduit sleeve during construction for RM 50 — saves RM 500+ later.
Single-board drywall for bedrooms — STC 30–35 means voices and TV audio pass through easily. Use double-board with rockwool (STC 45+) for any bedroom wall.
Tiling a drywall wet area without moisture-resistant board — standard gypsum board delaminating under tiles is a common and costly failure. Always specify green board (moisture-resistant) for any wet-area drywall.
Skipping primer on new plaster before painting — unpainted or under-primed plaster absorbs paint unevenly; two coats of primer before top coat prevents patchy finishes.

Removing a Partition Wall

If a partition wall is non-structural, removing it costs RM 800–3,500 depending on material and size, plus plastering and painting reinstatement. For structural walls, a PE assessment is mandatory before hacking. See hacking walls guide →.

Tips

Bundle partition works with full home renovation → to reduce plastering and painting mob costs.
For condos, check MC by-laws before building any new partition — some buildings restrict brick in upper floors.
Leave a conduit sleeve in the wall during construction for future electrical cabling — costs RM 50 now, saves RM 500+ later.

Next Steps

Send ClickBina a floor plan photo and tell us what space you want to create. We will recommend the right partition type and give you a fixed-price quote including plastering and painting.

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Sources & official references

This guide refers to the laws, regulators, official bodies and references below. Rules, fees and procedures change — always confirm the current position with the source:

Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL) — KPKT — official text of the Act; later amendments are gazetted separately, so check the current position.

How we estimated prices: where this guide gives renovation or service price ranges, those RM figures are typical Klang Valley market ranges for 2026, compiled from contractor quotations and supplier price lists. They are not official or fixed rates — the final price depends on your site, so confirm it on site before you commit. Statutory fees, fines, tax rates and tribunal limits come from the law or official body concerned, not from market quotes.

Partition Wall CostMalaysia 2026