Plan Ahead (cont'd)

Once you are satisfied with the floor plan, make additional scaled drawings (elevations) of the walls themselves. Indicate the length of the studs and the top and bottom plates. This will enable you to judge exactly how much material to buy and will help keep you on track when you begin construction. One thing to pay close attention to is the framing on the two side walls at the spot where they intersect with the main wall. Plan to add extra studs on the short walls to provide a solid nailing surface for joining the walls together and that allow the MDF to be nailed in the corners.

Framing the Wall

Ty took the easiest route to constructing such a large unit by building it in place. You could always build this wall in the garage or outside, but you would then face the difficulty of moving it into and through the house. Cut the 2x4s and MDF elsewhere, but plan to do all of the building right in the room. The framing is composed of 2x4 studs (the vertical components of the wall) attached to 2x4 top and bottom plates (the vertical components) that are centered every 24 inches. Cut the 2x4s to length, following the dimensions sketched out on your plans, and carry them to the room.

Set the top and bottom plates for the main wall flat on the ground, right next to each other, with their ends flush. Use a tape measure and pencil to measure and mark for the 24-inch on-center location of the studs. Then separate the plates and set them on edge while you position the studs in between. While one person stands with their feet against one plate to keep it from moving, drive two 3 1/2-inch (16d) nails through the opposite plate and into the ends of each stud. Switch sides and attach the other plate. Repeat this process with the two small walls. Raise the walls into position. Use a level to ensure that the walls are perfectly plumb, and then nail the walls together. To save a little time, you may want to attach MDF to the outsides of the small walls and one side of the long wall before raising them.

Attaching the MDF

The walls are completely covered with medium density fiberboard (MDF). MDF is often confused with particleboard, but the two products are used quite differently. Particleboard is most often used as a substrate for such surface materials as plastic laminate and wood veneer. MDF, on the other hand, can itself be used as a surface material. When cut with a saw, it leaves a smooth, clean edge. And, unlike particleboard, it looks great painted and holds fasteners securely.