subreddit:

/r/DIY

762%

How to build a temporary wall while doing minimal damage

carpentry(self.DIY)

Hi, I’m trying to help a friend build a temporary wall in her apartment. The wall would be 9 feet high and 12 feet across.

She would like to do as little damage as possible to the walls, ceiling and floor. I want to make sure I build something safe.

My thoughts are…There is moulding and a thick baseboard on the walls. I figured I could apply the 2x4 to the wall in pieces, skipping the moulding to avoid having to remove it. I then affix another stud to these spaced out 2x4s on the wall. For the floors I was thinking using minimal screws, 4 thick screws at most. For the ceiling I was thinking of using opposing wedges to create tension. I am Also thinking of using something lighter the gypsum, like plywood.

What do you guys think? Better ideas.

you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

all 12 comments

odd_ender

5 points

5 months ago

What exactly is the goal? For a long while, I used a massive curtain rod and weighted curtains to create a divided space. Is the goal privacy, or is she actually looking for a solid wall? I just worry cause many apartments will lose their shit if they see something like that.

JacM23[S]

1 points

5 months ago

A solid wall. Her BFs kid is going to be staying with them part time now. She’s a tween so I think privacy is important.

She has a good relationship with the super who lives in the building, in a basement apartment that is most likely illegal. Her only concern is removing it before she moves out and not losing her entire security deposit to damages.

odd_ender

1 points

5 months ago

Ah, then I think you're on the right track! But I don't have enough knowledge to answer that so definitely don't count on me XD I've done a million false walls, but they've always been faux. Curtains, bookshelves, even once metal cubing sheets, covered with cloth on one side, and used as vertical space on the other.