Kitchen Renovation. I’m removing a dividing wall between the kitchen and dining area and installing a cabinet penisula with raised counter. This of course involves leaving a knee wall behind the counter. To reinforce this wall I had originally planned to drop the end double stud post down thru the floor and anchor it to the floor joists. Then it dawned on me that there is a double floor joist directly under the kneewall so I’ve been brainstorming ways to reinforce the wall in some other manner, maybe using metal straps, angle iron, etc.
It’s also crossed my mind that I may be overthinking this and that when the wall is sandwiched with sheetrock, capped with a sill and attached to the cabinets, no additional reinforcement would be needed.
Any thoughts or ideas.
Jim
Replies
The floor system is very likely able to easily carry the load imposed by the peninsula and raised counter, along with the knee wall.
If in doubt. temporarily load the area in question with 400 lbs. (two of your larger friends, or 3 smaller ones), and see how much downward deflection this creates. You measure it by laying a long (at least 6 feett) straightedge spanning the area, and then seeing how far the floor deflects below it. Up to 1/8" is acceptable.
I think he's more concerned about the wall flexing laterally when, eg, several people lean against it.
jersey
Drop any or all of the "studs" in your kneewall, through the floor and fasten SOLIDLY to a joist. Split the bottom plate at that point and continue that bottom plate to the ends of the wall.
It doesn't have to be at the end-come in a bit on that dbl joist and drop a stud. Top plate would be continuous across all studs in the wall.
or
Fasten the cab boxes to the floor system and attach the cabs to the wall.
Double joist in way
I thought that since the eat at counter would be granite it would be a good idea to provide some sort of lateral support to the kneewall but the suggestion to mount the cabinets to the floor and wall seems like it would provide sufficient support.
Can't go through the floor with the studs as the double joist is directly under them. Space is a premium so I can't add a wrap around wall at the end as I think was also suggested.
If I do anything it may be to lag bolt the bottom plate to joists and install some L brackets at the bottom of the studs. Though with 42" of leverage I doubt there would be much point to it. Thanks for the suggestions.
Scrap the entire wall and install cabinets that look good from both sides. This will allow the corner space to be accessed from the dining room. Screw the cabinets to the floor. Easy peasy.