Half Wall
Project 1: Building a Half Wall
Materials & Tools:
Materials & Tools:
- 2˝x4˝x8́ or 2x4x10’s Douglas Fir
- 2˝x4˝x8ˊ or 2x4x10’s Pressure Treated
- 1˝x6˝x10ˊ Clear Pine
- ½˝ Drywall
- 1 ¼˝ Coarse Drywall Screws
- 3˝ Tapcon Concrete Screws
- Hammer Drill
- Screw Gun
- Chalk Line
- Pneumatic Framing Gun W/ 3˝ Nails
- 18 Gauge Finish Nailer W/ 2˝ Nails
- Speed Square, 2ˊ or 4ˊ Level, Skill Saw or Miter Saw
Step by Step:
Getting Started...
- Examine the area you’re going to build in and take all of the necessary measurements. Check the floor for level. If the floor is out of level, you will need to adjust the dimensions of your new wall to compensate. Make notes of any obstacles like pipes and outlets.
- Clean and Prep the area you’re going to build in.
- Using a chalk line, snap a line on the floor to indicate the location of the bottom plate.
Building the Wall...
- With your measurements, cut your bottom & top plate to length. The bottom plate is the 2x4 (pressure treated) making contact with the concrete. Place the top & bottom plate side by side and face down on the floor. With a speed square, draw a line across both plates every 16˝. These lines represent the center of your studs. From each of those lines, measure over ¾˝ (in the same direction) and draw another line. This line represents the edge of each stud. Draw some “X”s over the center lines to help show the placement of the studs.Note: The number of studs used, will be determined by the dimensions of your project. Likewise with the number and length of 2x4’s you will need.
- Count the number of studs you need and cut them to length. The length of the studs should be 3¾˝ less than the finished height of the wall. The combined thickness of the bottom plate, top plate & 1x6 clear pine cap = 3¾˝.
- Place the top & bottom plates on edge on the floor with the lines facing in. Position the studs between the top & bottom plates and line them up with the corresponding lines on each plate. Using your framing gun, nail the studs into the top and bottom plates to complete the frame of the half wall.
- Place the completed half wall frame on the line you chalked earlier. Make sure that it is the bottom (pressure treated) plate making contact with the concrete. With the frame in place, check to see if its level. Use shims to make any adjustments. Using the hammer drill & concrete screws, pre-drill and screw the bottom plate into the concrete spacing the screws about 10˝ - 12˝ apart. Zigzag the placement of the screws as you work your way down the bottom plate. Nail the end studs into the adjoining walls.
- Cut your ½˝ drywall to size and cover both sides of the frame. Use your screw gun and 1¼˝ drywall screws to attach the drywall. Make sure the top edge of the drywall is flush with the top of the top plate. Mud, tape and sand any seams.
- Cut your 1x6 clear pine cap to length and nail it in place using your 18 gauge finish mailer. This cap can be stained or painted.
- Finish this project by painting the drywall and adding some base molding.