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Wall Building Question

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Wall Building Question (post #175690)

ziggle on Mon, 07/23/2007 - 01:54
in

Hi folks,


I have a general wall buiding question. I want to put up a non-load bearing wall on my top floor. It needs to intersect the ceiling, which has the attic on the other side. What is the recommended way to tie this wall to the ceiling. It is a pain working up in the attic because of all the insulation up there. So anything that minimizes the amount of work up there is appreciated.


Thank in advance.

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(post #175690, reply #1 of 3)

by Susan -homedecsewing in reply to ziggle [original] on Tue, 07/24/2007 - 12:04

Good morning, try asking your ? on the other forum here...called Breaktime . I always get a smart quick response from those guys and it has been fun chatting with them all. Good luck, Susan

(post #175690, reply #2 of 3)

by formula1 in reply to ziggle [original] on Fri, 09/28/2007 - 18:32

If the wall will be running perpendicular to the ceiling joists, or can lie under a ceiling joist, the job will be much easier.


If the wall will be perpendicular to the ceiling joists, the top wall plate can be nailed into a joist where a joist passes overhead. This is a nice situation - no attic access required.


If the wall will be parallel to the ceiling joists, if possible, locate the wall under a ceiling joist. Then you can nail the top plate into the joist and no attic access would be required.


If the wall will be parallel to the ceiling joists AND the wall can't be under a joist, you will have to get up in the attic and frame some cross-pieces between the joists to provide something for the wall to be nailed into.


Either way, I'd frame the wall flat on the floor with a single top and bottom plate, and the studs spaced 16" on-center. Frame the height about 1/2" shy of the actual room height (leave the existing drywall/lathe-plaster in place, it's common practice to attach new walls through drywall, etc.) This is so you will be able to stand the wall upright and not interfere with the ceiling. Stand the framed wall up and persuade it into place. Tack the floor plate down. Then take pairs of cedar construction shims and at various places along the top plate where there is framing above, bring a shim in from both sides to take up the gap, tap both shims in towards each other a little to snug the new wall between the floor and ceiling. Verify the wall is plumb with a level and on-location, then nail through the wall plate into the framing above. Repeat at several locations along the top plate.


Hope this helps.



If it ain't broke, don't fix it, just open it up to see how it works!


Edited 9/28/2007 2:33 pm ET by formula1

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, just open it up to see how it works!

(post #175690, reply #3 of 3)

by ziggle in reply to Anonymous [original] on Fri, 09/28/2007 - 22:27

Excellent, clear instructions.


Thanks!


Ziggle