Shaft Wall Assembly

In commercial construction, timing is everything – especially when you’re going vertical. Shaft wall assembly is critical to the sequencing of high-rise and mid-rise buildings, forming the backbone of elevator shafts, stairwells and duct risers. These assemblies must go in early and cleanly to allow mechanical, electrical and elevator contractors to follow without delay.

At Express Drywall Services, we coordinate shaft wall installation with structural progress and concrete pours to avoid scheduling conflicts. Our teams are familiar with slab-to-slab workflows, multi-floor staging plans and hoist limitations on tight job sites. We organize deliveries of shaftliner board, metal framing, insulation and deflection track by level to reduce downtime and elevator usage. Our crews are trained to build both one-sided and two-sided assemblies, depending on shaft access.

We use UL- and OBC-listed designs to ensure each wall meets its required fire rating and structural integrity. Alignment between floors is key and we use laser tools and physical reference points to eliminate stack misalignment. Each floor is fully sealed, firestopped and reviewed before signoff. When shaft wall systems are part of larger scopes – like fire-rated drywall, sound-rated partitions or steel stud framing – we integrate seamlessly to avoid gaps or rework.

Our work supports overall site momentum and allows builders to complete core rough-ins on time. We can also pre-frame for Aria vents, access panels and future MEP connections. The result is a shaft enclosure that’s functional, compliant and synchronized with the rest of the project.

Shaft wall assemblies play a life-safety role in commercial buildings, making precision and compliance absolutely essential. These walls form the vertical core of most high-rise structures, protecting elevator paths, stairwells and utility shafts from fire, smoke and sound transfer. At Express Drywall Services, we follow manufacturer specs and UL-rated system designs for every shaft wall install – no exceptions.

We begin by reviewing structural drawings and coordinating floor heights, fire ratings and inspection deadlines. Our layout is laser-verified and aligned with core framing to prevent floor-to-floor variances. We use approved shaftliner panels, proper fastener patterns and fire-rated sealants to maintain system integrity. Our team installs fire blocking and acoustic insulation where required, ensuring that the assembly meets both code and performance requirements.

For high-performance builds, we coordinate shaft work with services like insulation installation, drop ceilings and sound separation walls to create a fully integrated envelope. Before boarding is closed, we pre-plan for future penetrations and access panels so MEP trades won’t compromise the system later. We also document rated details to assist with inspections and as-built accuracy. Our crews are trained to maintain clean job sites and staged material flow, helping shaft installs progress smoothly from one level to the next.

Whether we’re working on a hospital, condo tower, institutional facility or commercial retrofit, we adapt to site-specific challenges while upholding technical quality. Builders trust us because our shaft wall work passes inspection the first time, not the third. We bring consistency, communication and confidence to this high-stakes part of the job. With Express Drywall Services, you don’t just get a wall – you get a certified barrier that protects your project’s core.