Building walls and closets are two of the mainstays of converting plain rooms into a useful home office. Constructing non-structural walls is simple and can transform a single living area into multiple spaces that will more fully serve your needs.  Building a simple wall can make one large room into an office and still leave another room for your family needs. 
Step1 - Determine your game plan.  Measure and decide where walls, doors, closets, and possibly windows will be placed.  

Will you need to pull up carpeting? How will you address electrical needs? Do you want to add soundproofing in the new wall?

If your space is carpeted...pull it up

If your space is vinyl/ceramic/hardwood...leave it

If your space is concrete...buy concrete nails!

Step 2 - Mark your projected wall(s) and door(s) on the subfloor.  Measure and cut top and bottom plates (G-H-I  and D-E-F on drawing above) Yes...bottom plate continues between E-F in the wall with door opening. 

Step 3 - Measure and cut studs and install on bottom and top plates at 16" spacing. Assemble each wall separately on the floor, then raise wall up and place in position. Wall stud length will be floor to ceiling height minus 3" for the thickness of top and bottom plate.  

To determine door opening measurements for framing use the following rules:

  • Add 3 inches to the door width (for example 30" door will be framed at 33")  
  • Add 2 inches to the door height (80" tall door would be 82" framed opening)

Stud spacing X-Y will be door width plus 6".  

 

Step 4 -  Install each wall in place and plumb with level.  Nail to floor and ceiling and at ends. and corners. Cut out floor plate at X-Y studs for door opening.  You're ready to finish the door framing. Stud A-C is called a jack stud and is the length of the door frame opening (in our example it will be 82")  Door header C-J is nailed to the top of each jack stud as shown in drawing. 

Step 5 - Install fiberglass insulation for soundproofing if desired...Check out our soundproofing discussion. Install drywall and finish.  For small jobs and home owner installations I recommend installing sheetrock vertically as shown.  The reasons for this are     1. You can get to use 8' length sheetrock material instead of 12' and      2.  You always have the tapered factory edge between sheets which will make it easier for a quality job.

 

  

 

 

 

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