Building walls

[usetheforce]

I want to build a partial wall that is about 10 feet high and 16 feet long. The ceiling joists are about 17 feet from the floor. One end of the wall will be attached to a cinder block wall and I am wonder if the best way to brace the other end of the wall is to just run 2x4's up to the joists above. Appearance is not critical but was just wondering if this is the best way?

[Joseph Meehan]

Yes.

[Larry Jaques]

On Wed, 13 Sep 2006 04:06:01 +0100, with neither quill nor qualm, usetheforce quickly quoth:

A pair of 2x4s (use a 4x4 joist hanger) or pipe. Your choice.

[Tom Kendrick]

Given the total height, it would be better to build a square column of overlapping 2x4's with a total length of 18 feet. It could be a vertical beam of 3 2x4's mated face-to-face for stiffness across the width of the wall.

[Joseph Meehan]

Good point.

[Goedjn]

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish. You could build a short 'T' on the end, or use steel cable off in various directions. Or make the wall think enough that it doesn't need bracing.

[DanG]

2x4(s) 17 feet long are much to flexible, unless this is just a glorified sight screen. If you can turn an el or tee at the end of the wall, it will be stronger. The next problem is too much flex in a single 2x4 top plate on the 16' dimension. Cap the wall with a 2x8/10/12? some other method of stiffening the wall? build 2 walls a foot apart that brace each other? ______________________________ Keep the whole world singing . . . . DanG (remove the sevens) [e-mail]

[tmurf.1]

Why not build it out of concrete block? 4" or 6" block.