How to Make a Partition Wall

Partition walls are used to block off a section of a room. These walls can be made of light wood, glass or plasterboards. They do not have a sufficient load-bearing capacity, so hanging cabinets on them is not advisable. Most often they are used to section off a working area, a storage area or a play area for kids. When properly positioned and painted, they cannot be distinguished from the real walls.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Stud finder
• Measuring tape
• Chalk
• Metal wall frame
• Metal studs
• Electric drill
• Carpenter's level
• Plasterboards
• Hand saw
• Paint
• Paintbrush or roller

Instructions

1. Climb a ladder and run a stud finder across the ceiling and locate the joists, since the partition wall is best fitted onto them. Define the dimensions of the partition wall, using a measuring tape. Draw a line on the floor and on the ceiling with chalk to mark the wall's position.

2. Lay the bottom track of the metal wall frame on the floor. Drill the metal frame in place, using the electric drill.

3. Place the end support of the frame onto the bottom metal track. Position the end support straight upright, using a carpenter's level. Mark off the spot where the end support is positioned on the ceiling, using chalk.

4. Hold the upper metal track into the marked-off position on the ceiling, with help from an assistant. Drill the track in place.

5. Place the metal studs onto the bottom metal track, positioning them vertically in place. This is not difficult since they are a bit shorter than the height of the wall. The studs should be 2 feet apart. Screw the studs in place, using an electric drill.

6. Cut the plasterboards slightly shorter than the height of the wall, using a hand saw. Position the plasterboards against the studs flush against the ceiling and drill the boards in place. Install plasterboards on the other side of the wall as well.

7. Paint the finished wall in the color desired, using a paintbrush or roller.

Tips & Warnings

• The frame for the partitioning wall can be made of light wood instead of metal.

• Avoid installing electrical wiring inside partitioning walls, since this poses a fire risk.

• Avoid hanging heavy object onto the partitioning walls, since they could tilt and fall on somebody.

References

• Wickes: How to Build a Partition Wall
• Lindab Construline: Partition Wall Profiles