How to Close a Wall in a Loft Half Wall

Knock the drywall out of both sides of the existing half wall. This allows you to install fresh drywall for the wall and keeps your wall from looking like it was added on. Use the sledgehammer to begin knocking out the drywall, being careful not to damage the wall frame underneath. Watch for any electrical outlets there, and turn off the electricity to them while working on this project.

Measure the distance between the ceiling and the existing wall frame and the length of the wall. This gives you the dimension for the wall frame to build. Cut the pieces for the wall, using the saw. The height pieces should be 4 inches shorter than the distance between the ceiling and the frame. Cut two pieces the length of the wall and enough height pieces to go on both ends, every 18 inches apart across the entire wall.

Build out the frame. The length pieces will have the 4-inch side lie flat against the ceiling and the existing frame. Use two nails to nail in the height pieces along the frame, then nail in the top of the frame 2-by-4. If the wall is thicker than 4 inches, you may need to build two frames -- one for each side of the outside of the wall.

Install the frame into the space between the existing wall frame and the ceiling. Nail it into place on either side of each stud, into the base. Then nail into each ceiling joist in the ceiling. The wall becomes more stable once the drywall is installed.

Hang the drywall on both sides of the wall. Screw the drywall into each stud, about 12 inches apart all the way down. Use the scaffolding to reach the outside portion of the loft wall. Use the drywall tape and compound to seal the cracks between the drywall sheets and to cover the screws. Sand the compound smooth after it dries. Paint the drywall and install any baseboards along the bottom of the wall.