Creating an extra bedroom doesn’t always require extensive remodeling. Building a temporary wall is an affordable solution that can instantly transform your living space. This do-it-yourself (DIY) project allows you to divide a room without permanent structural changes, offering flexibility as your family’s needs evolve.
Unlike traditional drywall, temporary walls are designed for easy installation and removal without damaging existing structures. They’re a good choice for renters or homeowners who anticipate future layout modifications. Temporary walls can also offer soundproofing benefits in bustling households or urban settings. Our guide takes you through the process step-by-step.
Planning Your Temporary Wall Project
Thorough planning will help mitigate construction issues and ensure that the wall functions and looks great.
Assessing Your Space
Start by measuring the area where you want to install the wall. Consider the ceiling height, floor level, and obstacles like vents or electrical outlets. This will help you determine the dimensions of your temporary wall and identify potential challenges. Note any furniture or fixtures that the new division might impact so you can plan accordingly.
Determining Wall Placement
Keep in mind the functionality of both resulting spaces. Make sure the wall will still allow for traffic flow and won’t block natural light. Consider how the division will affect heating, cooling, and ventilation in both areas and whether doors, windows, and utilities will still be accessible.
Choosing Your Design Style
Decide on the style for your temporary wall. It can be designed to blend seamlessly with existing decor or stand out as a feature wall. Consider whether you want the wall to be solid or include elements like windows or a doorway to maintain an open feel. The materials and finishes you choose will determine the wall’s final look and functionality.
Legal and Safety Considerations for a Temporary Wall
Before building a temporary wall, consider the potential legal and safety implications.
Building Codes and Permits
While temporary walls generally don’t require permits, it’s wise to check local building codes. Some jurisdictions may have requirements for room divisions, especially regarding egress and ventilation. If your temporary wall will create a new bedroom, ensure it complies with local housing codes, which may require a window or other means of egress.
Fire Safety Measures
Ensure your temporary wall doesn’t compromise fire safety. Avoid blocking escape routes or covering smoke detectors. If your wall includes electrical components, consult a licensed electrician to ensure proper installation and safety. Consider installing smoke detectors or fire-retardant materials in your temporary wall for added safety.
Cost To Install a Temporary Wall
You can build a temporary wall for as little as $350, according to Angi. Compare that to a traditional wall, which costs between $971 and $3,157. Choosing cost-effective materials like Homasote board and clear pine will help you keep expenses low without sacrificing quality or appearance. We also suggest shopping for materials during sales or using reclaimed wood for more savings.
Alternatives to Building a Temporary Wall
While temporary walls offer many benefits, there are other options for dividing a room that may suit your needs if a temporary wall doesn’t.
Room Dividers
Freestanding room dividers or screens can provide visual separation without any construction. They’re easily movable and come in various styles to match your decor. However, they may not offer the same level of privacy or soundproofing as a temporary wall. Dividers made from wood, fabric, or metal can add a decorative element while providing functional separation.
Curtain Partitions
Hanging curtains from ceiling-mounted tracks is another flexible option for room division. This can be effective in loft-style spaces or for creating dressing areas in bedrooms. Curtains offer the advantage of being easily opened to restore the full room when desired. For added aesthetic appeal, choose curtains with patterns or colors that complement your existing decor.
Materials Needed for a Temporary Wall
Choose the right materials for a sturdy, attractive temporary wall that’s easy to install and remove.
Wallboard Options
Consider using Homasote, a versatile and eco-friendly option for the wallboard. This Old House contractor Tom Silva chose this material to carve out another bedroom in a 1925 Colonial near Boston. Homasote has a textured surface that looks rich, and it’s soft enough to press thumbtacks into—perfect for use as a bulletin board. You can also use lightweight drywall or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
- Drywall: Cost-effective, moderate sound insulation, easy to install and finish, but not as strong or soundproof as the other options
- Homasote: Lightweight, excellent for soundproofing, eco-friendly, and easy to handle, but has a rough finish
- MDF: Best for a strong, smooth finish but heavy and more challenging to work with for temporary walls
Framing Materials
Clear pine is an excellent choice for framing, as it’s lightweight and easy to work with. We recommend using a clear pine frame, 1 1/8-inch thick and 2 1/8-inch wide, ripped from stock sold as 5-quarter by 6-inch. This creates a sturdy frame without the bulk of traditional 2×4 construction. Clear pine is easy to paint or stain, allowing you to match it to your existing decor.
Hardware and Fasteners
Choose hardware that allows for easy installation and removal. Furniture levelers, screws, and double-stick tape are essential. For a clean finish, use 2 1/2-inch trim screws, which have narrower heads. You might want to use L-brackets or corner braces for added stability, especially in high-traffic areas.
Tools for Building a Temporary Wall
You’ll need a basic set of tools to build your temporary wall efficiently.
- Circular saw or table saw for cutting framing lumber
- Drill and drill bits
- Screwdriver (manual and electric)
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Pencil for marking
- Safety equipment (goggles, gloves, dust mask)
You might also want to have a carpenter’s square and a stud finder if you need precision in aligning your frame or affixing it to existing structures.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Temporary Wall
Follow these steps to create your temporary wall, inspired by Silva’s approach.
Creating the Frame
First, create a frame to support the wallboard by following these steps:
- Cut your clear pine to size for the frame, ensuring it fits snugly between the floor and ceiling.
- Assemble the frame using 3-inch drywall screws at the joints.
- Install furniture levelers at the bottom of the frame for easy adjustment and stability.
Installing the Wallboard
After you’ve framed out your temporary wall, you can install the board by taking these steps:
- Cut your chosen wallboard material to fit within the frame.
- Attach a band of quarter-round molding around the inside of the frame to create a ledge for the wallboard.
- Place the wallboard panel into the frame, resting on the molding ledge.
- Secure the wallboard with a second round of molding and nail it in place.
Temporary Wall Finishing Touches
Painting or adding trim can help create a cohesive look for your temporary wall.
- Paint both sides of the wall to match your desired aesthetic. This method requires no spackling or sanding.
- If you’re using Homasote, you can leave it unpainted for a natural, textured look or paint it to match your decor.
- Consider adding trim or baseboards for a more finished appearance. Trim can elegantly hide gaps between the floor and the wall to provide a polished look.
Temporary Wall Fastening Methods for Easy Removal
Innovative fastening methods make it possible to install and remove a temporary wall without damaging existing structures.
Pressure-Based Fasteners
Silva uses furniture levelers to secure the wall without permanent attachments. Instead of using screws or nails to fasten the walls to the floor and ceiling, he used pressure from furniture levelers—bolts with flat plates fastened to one end—to hold the wall sections in place.
Adhesive Solutions
For areas where pressure-based fasteners don’t work, such as angled ceilings, double-stick tape designed for wall use can be effective. When you want to remove the walls, simply pull a tab on the tape to stretch and loosen the adhesive without damaging paint or any other wall covering. This makes the entire structure both versatile and functional.
Maintaining and Modifying Your Temporary Wall
Check the wall’s stability regularly and tighten any loose fasteners. If you’ve used Homasote or a similar material, you may need to touch up the paint occasionally, especially in high-traffic areas.
If you need to fix a hole in the wall, the repair process is often simpler than with traditional drywall. You can easily modify the wall by adding shelves, hooks, or other storage solutions as your needs change.
Removing Your Temporary Wall
Temporary walls are as easy to remove as they are to install.
Disassembly Process
Start by removing any decorative elements or hardware. Then, simply reverse the installation process. Disassembly should be quick and leave minimal marks with either pressure-based fasteners or adhesive solutions. If adhesive tapes were used, they can be peeled away carefully to minimize any damage to the existing walls or ceilings.
Restoring the Original Space
After removal, you may need to touch up paint or strip-painted wallpaper in areas where the wall was attached. The goal is to return the space to its original condition with minimal effort and expense. Clean the area and inspect for any minor repairs that may be necessary.
Our Conclusion
Building a temporary wall is a great way to create a flexible living space without major renovations. It’s a low-cost, customizable option that can be completed in a day with basic carpentry skills. The key to success is careful planning, choosing the right materials, and using innovative fastening methods for easy installation and removal.