How to Build a Room Partition

A wood-frame partition is a common construction project in remodeling or fixing up an old house. Careful planning is important -- once the wall is in place, it's hard to move. Don't forget to plan for any openings, especially doorways. Be sure to account for any plumbing or electrical work that needs to be done. If these skills are required, it is best to hire this work out to a professional.

Things You'll Need

• Framing lumber (2-by-4s, usually)
• Framing nails
• Saw horses
• Circular saw
• Carpenter's square
• Framing square
• Utility knife
• Sheetrock or other wall covering
• Framing hammer

Instructions

1. Plan the location of your wall.

2. Plan where the new wall will attach to the existing walls and ceiling. This requires checking each wall as well as the ceiling to figure out where the wall studs and ceiling joists are located. If things line up right, you can connect your wall directly to the wall studs and ceiling joists. If not, you will have to tear away existing sections of the walls or ceiling in order to add bracing between the studs or ceiling joists. It is best to plan your wall so that it can be attached to as many supports as possible without adding any bracing.

3. Measure and lay out your wall on the floor. Plan for a wall with one top plate and two bottom plates. Measure the wall to fill the complete opening, but leave the bottom plate off the wall for now. Go ahead and nail the pieces of the wall together, while it is resting on the floor. (Don't forget to leave the bottom plate out.)

4. Go ahead and attach the top plate of the wall to the ceiling joists. Use 16-penny common nails to drive the top plate into each ceiling joist (or each piece of bracing, if your wall is running in the same direction as the joists). When completed, your wall should be slightly flexible and there should be a 1½-inch gap between the floor and the bottom plate.

5. Level the wall with a 4-foot level, and attach each end of the new wall to the existing wall studs or the bracing. Use 16-penny nails.

6. Slide the bottom plate underneath the wall and nail everything tight. You will have to nail the two plates together and toenail the bottom plate to the subfloor.

7. Install your wall covering. The most common options are sheetrock and wall paneling.

Tips & Warnings

• When toenailing the top or bottom plates, make sure the nails are contained within the wood.

• Wooden shims can be used around the edge of the partition (especially the bottom) during construction. Just remember to break the ends off when you are done.

• If electrical work needs to be inserted in the partition, have an electrician do this before putting up the wall covering.