How to Install a Dividing Wall

Determine the approximate location for the wall. Use a stud finder to locate the studs and ceiling joists at the desired location to determine the best exact location. An ideal location would be directly under a ceiling joist. Attempt to locate two ceiling joists if you are running perpendicular to the joists. This helps better secure the wall.

Mark the location of the studs and ceiling joists. Use the marks to visualize the optimum location for the wall. Measure the length of the dividing wall from the stud along the ceiling with a measuring tape. Mark the end of the measurement as the end of the wall. Repeat the step on the floor.

Snap a chalk line on the ceiling from the stud to the end mark of the wall. Repeat the step on the floor. Drop a plumb bob from the end of the chalk line to the floor. The two chalk lines should be even and aligned with each other.

Measure and cut two pieces of two-by-four lumber the length of the chalk lines. These are the top and bottom plates for the wall.

Hold the top plate against the ceiling with the 4-inch side against the ceiling. Hammer 16D nails through the top plate into the ceiling joists. Use two nails per joist. Repeat the step for the bottom plate into the floor joists. Ceiling and floor joists usually run the same direction.

Measure the wall height from the inside surfaces of the top and bottom plates. Measure at both ends of the plates to determine the length of the end studs. Cut two-by-four lumber to the measurements.

Position the studs vertically so the ends butt against the top and bottom plates at the ends of the plates. Hold a 16D nail at a 45-degree angle on the exterior edge of the stud at the top. Drive the nail through the stud into the plate at this angle with the hammer. This is called toenailing the nail. Repeat this process with the bottom of this stud and the top and bottom of the other end stud.

Measure and mark 16-inch centers along the plates for the studs between the end studs. Start at the center of the 2-inch side of either stud measuring 16 inches. Mark the spot of the measurement. Measure from the mark to the next 16 inches. Continue measuring 16 inches from the previous mark to find the centers of each stud.

Repeat Step 7 for each stud along the dividing wall. This creates the framework for the wall.

Cover the framework with your choice of wall covering. Drywall or paneling are among the less difficult to work with.