A stud wall is a vertical framing in a building’s wall. It is usually made of smaller cross sections than a post and is fundamental in frame building. Its purpose includes carrying vertical structural loads, holding windows, exterior finish, doors, insulation, exterior sheathing or siding, and utilities as well as giving the building shape.
Stud partition walls are a way of creating additional rooms. This could be an extra sleeping room, a working area away from the main house, or a bathroom. Depending on how you want it done, you can make the better part of it with the right materials and skills.
Making a frame for the stud partition wall creation is like doing half of the job already. While most homeowners would hire a builder to complete the job, read on for step-by-step DIY instructions on how you can make a frame for a stud partition.
Tools You May Need
- Protective gear
- Nail gun (Framing nailer)
- Nails of the right size for the nailer.
- Power supply
- Tape measure
- Plumb line
- Drill
- Screws
- Miter or Circular Saw
Choose the Right Nailer
A framing nailer is an essential tool for getting this job done. There are two types of framing nailers that you can work with:
- Pneumatic framing nailers
- Cordless framing nailers
Pneumatic nailers use an external air compressor. The second one operates on battery power.
How to Make a Frame for a Stud Partition Wall
Putting up a stud partition wall is a cheap and easy option. You can make it using either a 100mm X 50mm or 75mm x 50mm sawn timber. You will also need a head or ceiling plate that is fixed to the ceiling joists.
Also, you will need a matching length plate nailed to the floor, also called a sole or floor plate. Studs that stand between the plates in a vertical position will also be needed, spaced equally and fixed with nails. Lastly, you will need noggins. These short and horizontal braces provide extra support and keep the frame rigid.
Step 1: Decide Where to Put the Wall
Decide where you want the wall should to be, and using an electronic detector, identify any piping, cables, or joists behind the walls, floor, or ceiling. If the new wall is to run at right angles to the ceiling joists and floor, you can fix that at any point.
If it runs parallel to the joists, make sure it stands directly over them.
Using a tape measure, measure both ends of the walls. Mark one edge of the stud wall either on the floor or skirting board.
Step 2: Draw A Plumb Line Along the Wall
Take your plumb line and hang it along the wall to the mark that you made. Following the plumb line, make a line with chalk or a clear mark pen up the wall up to the ceiling line.
Step 3: Mark the Ceiling
Using your chalk or marker pen and an off-cut wood or square, mark the ceiling line.
Step 4: Locating and Marking Joists for Ceiling Plate Attachment
Drive a nail into the ceiling and close to the wall junction. This will be the side edge of the ceiling plate. Take measurements and then mark a guideline using a chalk line to indicate the ceiling plate position. Using a detector again, locate any joists that may be there at right angles to the new wall. This will be necessary as you will need to attach the ceiling plates to the joists.
If you cannot find the joists using the electronic detector, you can probe the ceiling along the chalk line’s length with a bradawl. The ceiling plate will hide the holes that you make and should not worry you. When you locate the joists, mark the positions for the fixing points. Make sure they are next to the chalk line on the ceiling.
Step 5: Measuring and Installing the Ceiling Plate
Measure your timber and cut its length for the ceiling plate. Make sure it will fit exactly between the ceiling and the walls. Holding the plate in place, mark the fixing points along the timber’s length. If the walls are running directly underneath parallel joists, make sure there will be at least 400mm intervals between the fixing points.
Take off the ceiling plate from the ceiling and make clearance holes using the best drill. The holes will be for the screws and should be made at the marked points. After that, fix the plate along the edge of the chalk line using screws, as nails might crack the ceiling plaster. If you have someone who can lend a hand, they can help you, but you can also use a wooden prop to hold the ceiling plate in place.
Step 6: Installing the Floor Plate
For the floor plate, do the same by measuring and cutting the timber into fitting pieces using a miter saw or circular saw. If you need to fit a door, lay a pre-assembled door frame on the floor and against the plate to find the width of the opening you need.
Nail the floor plate using a framing nailer at intervals of 400mm. If the floor is solid, you can use a rotary hammer to drill the holes.
Step 7: Installing Studs Between Ceiling and Floor Plates
Take the measurements between the ceiling and floor plates. Cut two studs and ensure they fit the length between the plates, and put each alongside the guideline made using the plumb. Nail them to the wall or use screws.
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