How to Wall a Partition
- 1). Remove the floor surface so that you can nail the partition directly to the subfloor.
- 2). Remove the molding from the wall to which the partition is being connected.
- 3). Mark the location of the partition wall on the floor by snapping a chalk line.
- 4). Measure and cut the sill plates, which are pressure-treated boards used to connect the wall frame to the subfloor.
- 5). Lay the first sill plate on the subfloor. Place one end of the sill plate against the wall, and line it up on the chalk line. Connect the sill plate to the subfloor with nails (on a wooden subfloor) or masonry screws (on a concrete subfloor) every 12 inches. Continue installing the sill plates until you reach the desired length.
- 6). Lay two standard 2-by-4 boards on top of one of the sill plates. Measure the distance between the ceiling and the top of the boards. This measurement tells you how long the studs need to be.
- 7). Measure and cut 2-by-4 boards for the studs. Follow your local building codes, but the general standard is one stud every 16 inches.
- 8). Nail a stud to each end of the bottom plate to form a U shape. The bottom plate is the board that will be nailed to the sill plate. Nail studs into the bottom plate between the two end studs.
- 9). Nail the top plate to the top of the studs to complete the frame.
- 10
Lift the assembled frame onto the sill plate. Check the frame for level (horizontally straight) and plumb (vertically straight), then nail the frame to the sill plate and ceiling every 12 inches. - 11
Measure and cut the drywall sheets. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the floor and the bottom of the drywall sheets, and cut the sheets long enough so the end of a sheet reaches the center of a stud --- not the space between the studs. Cut the sheets, placing a straightedge along each cut line and scoring it with a utility knife, and snap the sheets along the score line. - 12
Lift the first drywall sheet into position against the ceiling and the wall on the side. You'll want someone to help you with this. Drive drywall screws into the studs in the center of the sheet, and then drive more screws into the studs every 16 inches. - 13
Continue installing drywall until the entire wall has been covered. - 14
Apply joint compound to the gaps between the drywall sheets with a 6-inch putty knife. - 15
Place strips of drywall tape over the seams. Press the drywall tape into the joint compound by running the putty knife over it. Allow it to dry overnight. - 16
Add another layer of joint compound and drywall tape, using the same method, and allow it to dry overnight. Add a third layer of joint compound and drywall tape, and allow it to dry overnight. - 17
Sand down rough spots on the wall with fine-grit sandpaper. - 18
Wipe the dust off of the wall with a damp rag. - 19
Apply two coats of primer to the wall with a paintbrush, allowing each coat to dry. - 20
Paint the walls with the top coat of paint.
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