How To Build A Freestanding Wall: Easy Process Of Building Free Standing Interior Walls


Easy Process Of Building Free Standing Interior Walls

There are usually two main types of walls in your home: load-bearing and partition (without load-bearing) walls. Freestanding interior walls don't support loads, however, these types of walls do not link or bind to the ceiling or to adjacent walls contrary to standard partition walls. This, as a result, makes it necessary to have supplementary lateral wall support, either at the wall ends or in the floor. Freestanding walls generally serve as room dividers, prominently defining space without having to use the doors. Freestanding walls can have or hold mechanical elements including electrical wiring and water-supply lines, just like standard walls. Framing members can be effectively any dimension as the wall will not carry or support the weight. The important thing that you need to keep in mind is that as the wall increases in height, so does the requisite for lateral support. A 2-foot-high wall will need less lateral reinforcement in comparison to a 7-foot-high freestanding wall.

Add Reinforcement Through End wall Support

One of the easiest ways when it comes to adding lateral reinforcement to a freestanding wall is by using end wall support. End wall support usually comes in the form of another small wall that is placed or laid down at the end of the main freestanding wall. End walls form “T” or “L” shapes at either one or both ends of the freestanding wall, which in turn acts as side braces to support the wall. End walls can be of the same height as the freestanding wall or they can be of half-height if you are looking for an open feel.

In-Floor Reinforcement

  • If you feel that an end wall support is not feasible, because of space limitations or you simply don’t like the appearance of end walls, then another option is to build lateral support in the floor itself. In-floor reinforcement usually gives a simple appeal, however, you will need to cut through the existing subfloor in order to attach the ends of wall frame to the joists.
  • You will need to extend both of the wall’s end studs to the depth of the floor joists. Doubling the end studs will provide the wall with extra support. Long carriage bolts secures the end studs to the joists, due to the fact that framing nails do not provide enough support. The addition of side supports will help prevent the end studs from shifting.
  • The amount of in-floor support needed is entirely dependent on the height as well as the length of the freestanding wall, therefore, it is important to consult an engineer for the exact specifications. However, you could double 2-by-4 wall studs to form end members and secure them to the joists. After setting the end member, you need to trim two pieces of lumber, exactly of the same dimension as the floor joists, and secure those boards to the floor joists on each side of the double end studs.

Framing The Freestanding Walls

Freestanding walls are framed exactly the same way as other interior walls. The studs, excluding the 2 double-studs used at the ends of an in-floor reinforced wall, rest on an underside wall plate, placed flat on the subfloor, betwixt the two end wall members. Stud spacing of 16 inches, calculated from the center of one stud to the center of the next, makes sure that standard wallboard will fit perfectly on the wall frame. A top wall plate of the same dimension attaches the wall studs at the top.
Connect with GetRit GetRit.com Furniture Facebook GetRit.com Furniture Twitter
Copyrights (©) 2024 GetRit.Com   All Rights Reserved