How to Build a Wall

Building a retaining wall is much easier than it sounds. When putting equity into your house a separating wall can create multiple rooms out of one space. Doing it yourself, keeps your house's equity in your pocket as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Measure the space where the wall will go. Take the two pieces of wood that will be the plates and mark out where each stud will go. Space them out around 14 inches from center to center.

2. Create a frame using 2 x 4 studs. Use 2 x 6s if the space is going to have lots of plumbing. Start in the center of the plate and measure out 15¼ inches to find the inside edge of the first stud. Measure out 16 inches after to get to the front edge of every other stud.

3. Hang a plumb bob from where the wall is going to go. This will give a completely straight line from top to bottom. You should hang the wall on the joists of the ceiling.

4. Nail the wall into the joists. Start on one end and constantly use a level to ensure that the retaining wall is straight.

5. Screw the wall studs into the frame by toenailing either screws or nails. You can also buy stud-framing clips to put the studs into place. Using stud framing clips takes longer and is more tedious, but it cuts down on the chances for error and is better for the beginning builder.