Frame Partition Wall Attic Top Plate

The standard second story wall consists of a horizontal floor plate a ceiling plate and wall studs all made from similar dimension lumber.

Frame partition wall attic top plate.

How to build a partition wall 1. The top plate can be either single or double. Attach the bottom plate to the floor directly below the top plate. Measure the distance between the two plates.

Take a 2 foot by 2 foot scrap of osb or plywood and tack it alongside a rafter so one edge is in contact with the underside of the roof sheathing. Cut one stud to size and use that along with a level to mark the location of the top plate at both ends and snap a line to guide placement. A basic wall frame includes. Repeat at the partition s other end.

Score the shims with a utility knife and snap them off flush with the plate. This line must start at the underside of the roof sheathing. Double plating is most common on load bearing walls unless the roof rafters or trusses and floor joists stack directly over the studs in the wall then a single top plate can be used. The soleplate the top plate the studs and in the case of walls that exceed 10 feet in length fire blocking is required between the studs.

How to frame an attic space. On center and sandwiched between top and bottom plates. Fasten the bottom plate by driving 16d nails through it into the floor. Building requirements for partition walls.

Normally one 2x4 is used to form the soleplate and in the case of load bearing walls two 2x4 s are stacked to form the top plate. Nail the end studs to framing in the existing wall. Large openings in the wall are made for windows and doors. From that mark drop a plumb bob and mark the floor.

Installing the top plate of a short attic wall is the tricky part. Have a helper hold the top plate against the ceiling while you nail or screw into ceiling joists along the line. Concrete screws work well to attach the track to concrete. As you shim and plumb each section of wall drive 16d nails through the top plate into the framing with a hammer or nail gun.

Mark the ceiling 3 inches from one wall where the partition will abut it. Cut your bottom and top plates and mark the position of the studs. Lay out the wooden partition photo by david carmack. Measure the distance from each floor mark to its abutting wall.

Partition wall assembly overview 2. You can t align the centers of the plates because the edge of the top plate will extend too far since it s on. Use your short 2 foot level to draw a plumb line down along the scrap of wood. A wall is a collection of studs usually sized 2 4 or 2 6 equally spaced usually 16 in.

Use a stud to locate the top plate.