How To Divide A Room With A Temporary Wall: Partition Tips

How To Divide A Room With A Temporary Wall

Temporary walls partition existing rooms. Depending on the room requirements, You may use various materials to make the temporary wall. 

Partitioning a room is possible provided there is ample space. Therefore, temporary walls apply to offices, homes, or inside medical facilities.

Temporary walls have significant use cases in interior design. They offer privacy and security and may sometimes be used to bear loads. For example, you can organize with slatwall panels and still use them as an easy temporary divider in any room.

Moreover, anyone can erect these stud walls. Read to the end to acquire more information on temporary walls.

How To Divide A Room With A Temporary Wall

First, you need to determine the criteria and constraints for partitioning your wall. This information will help you determine the appropriate tools and materials to acquire. Have the appropriate tools ready.

  • Identify the space you want to set up the wall, then measure the ceiling height. 
  • Using a saw, carefully cut out wood studs. 
  • Ensure the studs leave some room for bottom/top plates.
  • Cut form spacers on the wood; these will make the assembly easier. 
  • Fix the top and bottom plates, then install the vertical studs using a hammer and nails.
  • Glue the bottom spacer to protect it from marrying the floor. 
  • Lastly, screw the joints together before hoisting the wall with an assistant’s help. 

Requirements Of Temporary Walls

Temporary walls need to meet specific design requirements to serve their purpose. Understanding these requirements will enable you to construct high-end and durable partition walls. 

First, ensure that the partition wall construction is from a material with less thickness. Therefore, a large floor portion is left.

However, remember that thinner walls are less soundproof unless the material used is optimized to absorb sounds.

Temporary walls also need to enhance privacy in the partitioned rooms. The privacy should be, so that sound and light are not compromised. 

Furthermore, the rooms should be reasonably soundproof so that users aren’t interfered with noise from adjacent rooms.

Durability is another critical requirement for temporary walls. They need to be rigid enough to sustain vibrations from other loads. 

The choice of material for the temporary walls should be light enough to prevent accidental crumbling. Uniform, durable and soundproof material will guarantee a safe room.

As a security measure, the temporary walls should be fire-resistant. This property will prevent fire accidents due to short circuits or any other cause. Fireproof materials are a must-have if the partitioned rooms host valuable properties.

Temporary walls need to withstand heat effectively. This property will maintain an ambient temperature within the partitioned space. Moreover, the stud wall need not be susceptible to dampness to avoid fungal growths. 

Another partition wall requirement is that assembly of the material should be easy. This requirement saves time and overhead costs tied to the construction.

In some cases, the temporary wall needs to be strong enough to carry more than its weight. This property is vital if you place any equipment, fixture, or fitting on the wall. 

The partition wall should also be economical. It should conserve space effectively without forcing big bucks out of your pockets. Furthermore, it should support decorative touches.

Lastly, the temporary wall should be adequately coherent to the structural wall. Investment in the suitable material won’t be worth it if the partition wall isn’t well fused to the prime one.

Significance Of Temporary Walls

Temporary walls serve several functions. The effective functioning of the wall depends entirely on the quality of the material in use.

Partition walls offer privacy. Partitioning a space into different portions provides privacy to the occupants. Well-designed partition walls absorb sounds and prevent them from interfering with occupants in an adjacent cubicle. 

Moreover, the partition walls may enhance security. Highly durable material may prevent forceful entry hence shielding the content in the partitioned area from intruders.

Like the glass wall, well-constructed temporary walls turn the partitioned spaces into impenetrable fortresses. Bulletproof and 3-ply glasses form temporary but effective glass walls that are secure.

Types Of Temporary Walls

There are various categories of partition walls. The range of stud walls is related to the unique material property they possess. 

You may use brick, glass, timber, metal, and AC sheet to construct temporary walls. This section will discuss some notable temporary wall partitions. 

1. Temporary Brick Wall

The most popular temporary wall, brick partitions, are constructed using bricks carefully integrated with studs. 

The three variations of this partition include brick, reinforced brick, and nogging temporary walls. Let’s explore them further.

Temporary Plain Brick Wall 

It is a common and inexpensive brick wall partition constructed using merely bricks. Bricks used for this design should be in stretches in the cement mortar during construction.

Using half a brick (10cm partition) consumes less space hence meeting the space design criteria. Furthermore, the construction of this wall should not exceed 2m per day. This action prevents unanticipated bends on or collapses by the wall.

Plastering either side of the plain brick wall initiates aesthetic touches. When properly built, this kind of wall is rigid enough and fireproof.

This partition wall divides rooms effectively, making them soundproof. However, they are prone to dampness and fungal growth.

Temporary Reinforced Brick Wall

This partition wall is akin to the plain brick partition. However, the reinforced bricks make the temporary wall even stronger. 

Strips of wire mesh and bare metal reinforce the bricks. They are placed at various course intervals to enhance their durability. 

The reinforcement elements have a width of approximately 1 foot and are a few millimeters thick. The reinforced brick wall usually is 10 cm thick, like a plain brick wall.

The application of this partition is in cases that require enhanced longitudinal strength. With enhanced longitudinal strength, the partition wall can bear weight on top.

Temporary Brick Nogging Wall

This temporary wall features bricks constructed within a framework. It may be a plank of wood, metal, or other reinforcement brickwork.

Contemporary noggins use vertical studs, a nogging framework, head, and sill. A proper noggin design fixes the studs at an interval of 2 to 5 feet apart. 

The noggins should be 2-3 feet vertically apart. It is the horizontal noggins that hold the stud pieces in position.

The framework in use provides support against lateral loads and waves. The mechanical action of opening and closing the door initiates these vibrations. 

The bricks are laid flat-faced or sometimes on edge. Plastering is done on either side of the bricks using cement and mortar.

When using a timber framework, consider coating its surface with coal tar. The coating preserves the timber making it last longer without decaying.

1. Glass Walls

These wall partitions are remarkably optimized. The glass material is cheap, light, and doesn’t complicate the construction process. 

Besides, the unique glass properties offer reasonable privacy by minimizing sound penetration. Some notable partition glass walls are:

Temporary Partition Using Glass Sheets

Initially, you have to insert sheets of glass in a wooden framework. This form of temporary wall works well with integrating a timber framework. Timber beadings hold these sheets in position. 

The vertical and horizontal studs on the plywood framework divide the framework into panels. The panel’s configuration varies with individual preferences.

Glass-walled temporary partitions shield sounds, are light and can’t be dampened. Moreover, glass wall partitions allow sufficient light into the cubicles.

To enhance the walls’ durability, you’ll need to perform some modifications on the glass sheets. Wired, bulletproof, and 3-ply are some strong glass sheets that will enhance the security of the partitioned rooms.

Temporary Partition Using A Hollow Glass

Instead of using sheets of glass, hollow blocks can also make temporary glass walls. They are light and come in various dimensions. 

The sand applied to the external faces of the glass strengthens its bonding properties. The connection strength is due to a special paint applied on the inside of the glass tubes.

The joints are then adequately filled with mortar then reinforced. Strips of metals placed at several vertical courses reinforce these glass partitions.

You should note that stacking courses for reinforcement are applicable up to a height of 15cm. Blocks as high as 25cm require reinforcements after every course.

Advantages of Temporary Walls

  • Partition walls enhance privacy. Modified glass partitions are soundproof and bulletproof, making them secure. Furthermore, fire cannot ravage glass walls. 
  • It is easy to maintain temporary walls. Partition walls require minimal maintenance. Moreover, dismantling the walls is easy.
  • Temporary walls may support overhead weights. Strong wall partitions (like brick, metal, or glass) can bear overhead weight.

Disadvantages of Temporary Walls

  • Materials required for making the temporary walls are expensive. The initial capital investment on the manufactured partition material is high.
  • Temporary walls may be hard to install. Precast wall partitions are heavy thus challenging to install

Conclusion

Temporary walls divide spaces into smaller portions. These partition designs offer privacy, security, and space for occupants.

Most businesses, households, or military warehouses use temporary walls to separate sections. The choice of material affects the environment of the partitioned spaces.

Materials like wood do not offer much sound fidelity, albeit being cheaper. Moreover, wood partitions are susceptible to fire accidents.

Glass walls are cheaper, durable, and immune to damping or fungal growth. However, the glass material is expensive.