DIY Network

Garage Transformation Pt. 1: How to Build a Top Floating Wall With a $4000 budget, our intrepid homeowners opt for a garage makeover with a workshop over refinishing their basement. Their garage remodel includes a top floating wall, custom cabinets and doggie door. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-202

	Before: Like many garages, this one is plagued with clutter.
	After: What was once a disheveled garage is now a functional woodshop.

With the garage cleared of clutter, homeowner Tyler Depew demos out the old drywall and ceiling. Open beams above the garage will give him more storage space, but now Tyler needs a wall to separate the open beams from the attic.

Tools and materials:

2x4 lumber, cut to size
plywood sheet
large nails (spikes)
framing gun
air compressor
drill with 1/4" spade bit
hammer
level
clamps
chalk line
safety glasses
dust mask

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when using power tools.

Safety Alert: Wear a protective facemask, and long sleeves and pants, when working on or around fiberglass insulation.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B

Building a Top Floating Wall

Tip: Typically, floating walls are built to withstand natural movement in basement floors. But if you're building a wall in an attic, a top-floating wall will handle any movement from the roof and prevent your drywall from splitting and cracking later on.

Steps:

• Cut filler pieces to fit in between the floor joists and the ceiling joists, and secure them in place with nails (figure A).

• Secure top and bottom plates to the joist pieces (figure B).

• Tip: Build your frame separately, measuring the slope and keeping in mind an inch and a half gap between the top plate and the frame.
  

• Draw your frame measurements onto a large sheet of plywood (figure C). This will help you with square and plumb.

• Build your frame on the board starting with the top plate, then the bottom plate and sides. Attach the elements using a framing gun.

• Cut the studs to length and attach them at 16" on center, keeping in mind the slope (figure D). Attach with a framing gun. A hatch for the attic is optional.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• Dry fit the frame to make sure the gap is consistent (figure E).

• Nail the frame to the base plate with a framing gun, then drill holes between every other stud to fit large nails into the top plate (figure F).

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  The completed wall framing

• Drive nails into the upper plate and check with plumb as you hammer.

• Add your insulation in you new wall insulate and drywall your new wall.

RESOURCES :

Resources for Sweat Equity, episode 202:

Kwal Paint
www.kwalpaint.com

Austin Hardwoods
www.austinhardwoods.com

Illumination Systems
www.illumsys.com

BMC Lumber/BMC Millwork
www.bmcwest.com

Eco Foam
www.sprayecofoam.com

Kwal Paint
www.kwalpaint.com

Darant Distributing
www.darant.com

Austin Hardwoods
www.austinhardwoods.com

Martin Garage Doors
www.martindoor.com

GUESTS :

Chris Neher
Eco Foam
www.sprayecofoam.com