Noggin
/ ˈnɒɡɪn /
Also known as: nogging, dwang, blocking, horizontal blocking
Definition
A noggin (also nogging or dwang) is a short horizontal timber fixed between the vertical studs of a stud partition wall, or between floor/ceiling joists. Noggins stiffen the frame, prevent studs from bowing or rotating, support plasterboard sheet joints at mid-height, and provide solid fixing points for heavy fixtures such as radiators, kitchen units, TV brackets, and grab rails. They are typically the same cross-section as the studs (e.g. 47x100mm) and are fitted at least at mid-height of the wall, and at any point where a heavy fixture will be fixed.
In practice
The most common mistake with noggins is not fitting them before the plasterboard goes up, then discovering that a radiator, TV, or bathroom grab rail has nothing solid to fix to. For a bathroom particularly, grab rails and towel radiators should always be planned before the wall is boarded, with noggins fitted at the correct height. For a wall-mounted TV, a full sheet of noggin blocking (ply or OSB between the studs) is better than individual noggins, as it allows any bracket position across the full width rather than requiring exact stud or noggin alignment.
Noggins between floor joists serve a different purpose - they prevent joists from rolling sideways (especially important for deep, narrow joists prone to instability), and provide lateral restraint to prevent the floor deck from racking. In timber floor systems, herringbone strutting (diagonal cross-bracing) can serve the same anti-roll function but solid noggins are also common and simpler to install. In engineered I-joist floor systems, solid web stiffeners (timber blocking glued and nailed to the web at bearing points) are a related but distinct requirement.
See also