DIY - Drywall Partitioning

Putting in a drywall partition can transform a house and give it a completely different look; large open spaces can be converted into separate rooms very easily. Garages are also popular for partitioning; creating a separate area for garden tools and other equipment can give a neat and tidy look. There are many reasons a drywall partition can be used to alter the look of a room and this article will look at how it can be done.

Tools

First of all the correct tools and equipment will be needed. Two-by -four inch wood will be required to suit the size of your wall, as well as sufficient drywall panels to cover both sides of the wall, and insulation will also be required should you choose to use it. The hand tools needed for the job are as follows:

• Tape measure


• Cutting knife


• Drywall screwgun or hammer


• Drywall screws


• Panel lifter


• Panel carrier


• Saw


• Nailer


• Nails


• Spirit level

Occupational health and safety products will also be needed, such as cut resistant gloves. All of the tools required for the job can be purchased from smallparts.com and with a no minimum order limit, tools can be purchased as and when you wish.

Building the partition wall

The first steps for putting the wall in place will be to get the correct measurements for it using your tape measure from smallparts.com; measure the height and width of the space and using the saw cut the timber to size. Once the timer is cut, use the spirit level to draw a pencil line and use the nailer to fire the timber in place, fully level with the line. This should be repeated so that you have a frame of one piece of timber at each end of the wall, one piece along the ceiling and one piece running along the floor. More timber will need to create studs and cross pieces both for support and to attach the drywall panels; these should be measured, cut to size and fired into place using the nailer.

Adding the drywall

Once the stud wall is in place then the drywall panels can be attached. They may first need to be cut to size to match the height of the room and width of the timber; this will be done by using the tape measure to gain the correct measurements and using the cutting knife to cut the drywall in a straight line. A spirit level can be used to aid in cutting a straight line.

Place the drywall against the stud wall and use the panel lifter to lift it up to the ceiling as tight as possible, then using your drywall screwgun or hammer (which ever you chose to purchase from smallparts.com) attach the drywall to the timber with a nail or screw. Using a drywall screwgun is recommended over a hammer for a faster better finish, screws or nails should be spread with a gap of around 8 to 10 inches along the panel. The same steps should be repeated on the other side of the wall and insulation can be placed inside the panels if required.