How to Frame a Low Wall

Attic Knee Wall

• 1

  Snap a chalk line on the floor in the desired location of the wall.

• 2

  Place a level vertically at one end chalk line. Ensure the level is plumb by ensuring the bubble is between the two marks. Mark the ceiling at the top of the level. Place the level at the opposite end of the chalk line and repeat the procedure. Snap a chalk line between the two marks on the ceiling.

• 3

  Cut a top and bottom plate for your wall from 2-by-4 strips of lumber to the desired wall length with a hand saw or circular saw. Lay the two pieces side by side, ensuring that the ends of each piece are even. Use a tape measure and make pencil marks every 16 inches across each piece to indicate the locations of the vertical studs.

• 4

  Place the bottom plate along the chalk line on the floor. Nail the plate to the floor with 16D nails. Secure the top plate to the ceiling in the same fashion.

• 5

  Cut vertical studs from 2-by-4 strips of lumber to the height of your wall in between the top and bottom plates. Count the number of 16-inch marks on the bottom plate and add two for the ends to ensure you have enough studs.

• 6

  Place the vertical studs in between the top and bottom plates, ensuring each end of the stud lines up with the marks on the plates. Nail each stud into place using 16D nails.

Low Wall

• 7

  Snap a chalk line on the floor in the desired location of the wall.

• 8

  Cut a top and bottom plate for your wall from 2-by-4 lumber to the desired wall length with a hand saw or circular saw. Lay the two pieces side by side, ensuring that the ends of each piece are even. Make pencil marks every 16 inches across each piece to indicate the locations of the vertical studs.

• 9

  Count the number of 16-inch marks on the bottom plate and add two to ensure you have enough studs.

• 10

  Cut vertical studs from 2-by-4 lumber to the desired height of your wall, minus the thickness of the top and bottom plates.

• 11

  Lay all cut pieces on edge. Place the studs on the marks on the top and bottom plates. Nail the studs to each plate with 16D nails.

• 12

  Raise the top of the assembled wall upward. Ensure the bottom plate is aligned with the chalk mark on the floor. Nail through the bottom plate and into the floor with 16D nails.

• 13

  Place a level vertically in several places on the wall. Move the top of the wall as needed until it is plumb. Nail through the end stud of the low wall into the existing wall with 16D nails.