building a half height wall divider...

ToAoB

I am wanting (being ordered!) to build a half height wall divider which will join at the end of a partitioned wall which separate the kitchen from the dining room.

The floor is concrete/screed.

As it being a half height, what method should I do to secure it strong? Not wanting it to be weak as there is no support at the end of the divider.

What is the best materials to use?

I don't think I am clear in explaining this but lets wait and see...

Ta!

Mikeyorks

ToAoB wrote:

................... as there is no support at the end of the divider.

Always difficult - there's normally the security of a piece up to the ceiling (and screwed into a joist) .. at the end? Can't you do that?

If not - build your frame out of 3" by 3" timber at something like 14" centres. Cross strut it well (staggered .. so you can fix through all joints) and pre-drill all the joints and fix with at least 2 heavy duty screws / coach bolts through all joints.

Strengthen / make rigid all the key joints with something like this :-

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101228&ts=13269&id=63948

That should give you a pretty rigid frame (I used the same [x2]to raise a 100 gal water tank 3 feet, in a previous loft)Then bolt the bottom frame member into the concrete - every 18" or so with heavy duty bolts similar to these :-

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=13558&id=18740

ToAoB

hmm thanks for this - not too sure about the flooring, as it may crack up eventually as I have some cracks coming up elsewhere in my home! useless fast built development back in 1986! They probably used thin screed or something like that!

I did consider fixing a nice-ish post that goes up to the ceiling but the other half did not like the idea - guess I'll have to find a nice post/wooden piece that looks good at the end of a open half height wall!

Mikeyorks

Sorry - but obviously the finishing touch was to plasterboard / screed? I'd have tended to cap along the top with a chamfered piece of wood - wide enough that you can plaster up to it. And finish off with matching skirting to the rest of the room.Personally I'd finish the end with plaster (use metal plaster bead to protect the 2 edges) .. if you can't take the wood to ceiling level in order to secure the unsupported end.

If you can't do that - there's really no way to stabilise the structure - unless you bolt it into the floor?

And 'half height' ... really is 'in yer face' stuff .. so I trust she's thought it through. Prop the paste table up to that height ... in the hope it frightens her off the idea!