Bulkheads & boxing-in, the details that finish a room.
Crisp boxing around pipes, steels and ductwork, feature bulkheads and rafts, and new straight walls over old, uneven ones.
- 24 years' experience
- Housing & commercial
- Suffolk & all of Essex
Bulkheads & boxing-in done properly
Boxing-in and bulkheads are where a drylining job is won or lost. Soil stacks, steel beams, ductwork and cable runs all need hiding, and the boxing needs to be straight, square and strong enough to last.
We frame neat boxes and bulkheads in metal or timber, fit access panels where you need to reach valves or stopcocks, and use fire-rated boards where the boxing has to protect steels or services. Feature bulkheads and ceiling rafts can define a kitchen island, bar or reception area.
For old or uneven walls, an independent lining gives you a brand-new straight face, with space behind for insulation and services, without touching the original wall. That's ideal for period properties and conversions across Suffolk and Essex.
The benefits of bulkheads & boxing-in
Clean lines
Square, straight boxing that disappears into the room.
Services hidden
Pipes, cables and ducts tucked away, with access panels where needed.
Fire protection
Fire-rated casing for steels and services where regulations require it.
Old walls made new
Independent linings give period walls a straight, insulated new face.
Systems we install
We'll recommend the right build-up for your budget and the performance you need when we survey, free of charge.
| System | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe & stack boxing | Bathrooms, kitchens, flats | Neat, square boxing with access panels |
| Steel casing | Exposed beams and columns | Standard or fire-rated board encasement |
| Feature bulkhead / raft | Kitchens, bars, receptions | Defines zones and houses lighting |
| Pattress wall | Heavy fixings, TVs, cabinets | Plywood-backed walls for strong fixing |
| Independent lining | Old, uneven or damp walls | New metal-framed wall face with space for insulation |
Housing & commercial
Housing
- Boxing soil pipes and boilers
- Casing steels in open-plan rooms
- Feature bulkheads over islands
- Lining old brick walls
Commercial
- Ductwork and cable bulkheads
- Fire-rated steel casing
- Reception and bar features
- Plant and service enclosures
From our sites
Real photos from our own jobs across Suffolk and Essex. See the full gallery
Simple from start to finish
Tell us about the job
Use our 1-minute quote form, call, or WhatsApp us some photos.
Free survey
We visit, measure up and recommend the right system.
Clear written quote
An itemised price and a start date, with no hidden extras.
Done properly
Tidy work, handed over ready for the next trade.
Bulkheads & boxing-in: your questions
Can you box in pipes but keep access?
Yes. We fit access panels where you need to reach valves, stopcocks or cleaning eyes, so the boxing looks neat but stays practical.
Do steel beams need fire-rated boxing?
Often they do, depending on the building and the steel. Fire-rated boards to the right specification protect the steel. Your building control or engineer will confirm what's needed.
What's an independent wall lining?
It's a lightweight metal frame built just in front of an existing wall and boarded, giving a new straight face with space for insulation and cables, without fixing to the old wall.
Can you build a bulkhead for lighting?
Yes. Feature bulkheads and ceiling rafts are a great way to add LED strips or downlights over kitchen islands, bars and reception desks.
Bulkheads & boxing-in across Suffolk & Essex
Based in Sudbury, we cover the whole of Suffolk and Essex.
- Sudbury
- Ipswich
- Bury St Edmunds
- Lowestoft
- Felixstowe
- Colchester
- Chelmsford
- Braintree
- Basildon
- Southend-on-Sea
- Harlow
- Clacton-on-Sea
- + more towns
Other services
Need bulkheads & boxing-in? Let's price it.
Tell us about your project and get a free, no-obligation quote from a local specialist.