Dry Lining Boxes – 1 Gang

The 1 gang dry lining box is one of those products that every sparky and first-fix electrician goes through by the barrowload. Available in 35mm and 45mm depths, these white plastic back boxes are designed specifically for installation into plasterboard on stud partition walls. No plugging, no drilling into masonry — the lugs swing out and clamp against the back of the board as you tighten the screws. Simple, quick, and it works every time.

At under 50p each, it’s worth having a decent stack on the van. Running short of back boxes mid-first-fix is the kind of thing that turns a productive day into a frustrating one. Both depths are available, so you can match the box to the chase depth or cable routing requirement. The 35mm suits standard situations where space behind the board is tighter; the 45mm gives you a little more room to work with when connectors or larger cable bundles are involved.

Where 1 Gang Dry Lining Boxes Fit In

These boxes are used wherever a single socket, switch, or fused spur is being installed into a plasterboard partition. That covers most new-build domestic first-fix, commercial fit-out on metal stud and board systems, and domestic renovation work where stud walls are being added or rerouted. They are not limited to electricians — AV installers, data and comms engineers, and anyone fitting wall plates into board will reach for the same box.

Depth Selection

If in doubt, the 45mm depth is often the more practical choice. It accommodates back-entry cables more comfortably and gives you more room to fold conductors without cramping the socket or switch you’re fitting to it. The 35mm is the right call when space behind the board is genuinely restricted, or where the finish depth needs to be kept low.

These are standard 25mm square knockout pattern boxes, compatible with all common UK single gang faceplates. Bulk pricing is available — the more you buy, the better the unit rate, and these are exactly the kind of consumable that rewards buying ahead.