How to Build a Divider Wall With 2-by-2s

Thin framing lumber, such as a plank measuring 2 inches by 2 inches, is only suitable for walls that don't bear structural loads, which are often called called divider or "partition" walls. Before constructing a divider wall, you should check with your local building authority to determine if 2-by-2 lumber is acceptable for partitions. Although framing with 2-by-2 lumber saves money on materials, the resulting wall's profile is noticeably thin and it might appear unusual beside a standard 2-by-4 wall. If you position the wall's end at an inconspicuous angle, the wall's difference in thickness will usually go unnoticed.

Tape measure
Pencil
Plumb bob
Chalk line
Stud finder
Circular saw
2-by-2 lumber
Nail gun

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the desired locations of the divider wall's ends on the ceiling with a tape measure and pencil. Align a plumb bob's string with one of the end marks and drop the bob's weight until it rests barely above floor's surface. Allow the weight to swing to a stop. Have a partner mark the floor beneath the weight's tip; this procedure transcribes the ceiling mark's location to the floor. Use the plumb bob to transcribe the remaining ceiling mark's position to the floor.
- 2
  Stretch a chalk line between the ceiling marks, then pull the line tight and snap it against the ceiling to lay out a straight line between the marks. Lay out a similar line between the marks on the floor. The ceiling and floor lines are "plumb," which means vertically aligned. The lines represent the position of one side of the 2-by-2 wall frame. You will use the lines to position your wall during installation.
- 3
  Locate and mark the positions of joists along the ceiling chalk line with a stud finder. Mark the locations of joists along the line with a pencil. To securely fasten the wall to the ceiling, you must drive nails through your wall's top plate and into joists. Mark two pieces of 2-by-2 to the overall length of the wall; this dimension is equal to the length of the chalk lines on the ceiling and floor.
- 4
  Cut the lumber to size with the circular saw. These pieces form the top and bottom plates of the divider wall. Measure the distance from the room's floor to its ceiling; this dimension is the wall's height. Subtract the thickness of two 2-by-2s from the wall's height. The thickness of a 2-by-2 ranges from 1 1/2 to 1 5/8 inches. The result of the subtraction is the height of the wall's studs, which run vertically between a set of horizontally aligned 2-by-2 wall plates.
- 5
  Divide the wall's length in inches by the required stud spacing. Standard spacing is 16 inches. For example, if you're working on a wall 4 feet long, divide 48 inches by 16 inches. Round up fractional results. The final result of the calculation is the number of studs required for your wall. Mark the required number of studs to height and cut the studs to size with the circular saw.
- 6
  Butt the 2-by-2 wall plates face to face and align their ends. Lay out the location of studs on the plates with a tape measure and pencil. Set the studs between the plates. Align the stud ends with their corresponding marks on the plates. Fasten the studs to the plates with a nail gun. Drive at least one nail through the plates at each of the stud ends. If you choose to drive two nails per stud, angle the nails to prevent the stud ends from splitting.
- 7
  Hoist the wall and align one of its sides with the chalk lines on the floor and ceiling. While holding the wall in position, anchor the wall to the floor and ceiling by driving nails through the wall's top and bottom plate. Use the marks on the ceiling's chalk line to determine the location of ceiling joists for nailing.

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