The garage is a versatile space that can be used for a lot of different things, depending on your needs. If you want to convert your garage into a workshop or turn it into an extra room for a growing family, you’ll need to add drywall and studs to the walls for stability and insulation. This project is relatively straightforward, but if you’re new to DIY construction, you might want to hire someone with experience or take a course. Read up on how to build a stud wall in a garage before getting started, and use the following instructions as guidelines:
What You Need
- You’ll need a stud finder to locate the studs in your wall.
- You’ll need a tape measure, hammer, and nails.
- A saw is helpful if you’re cutting your own plywood to fit between the studs (instead of using premade sheets).
- A drill for installing screws into the drywall sheets you’ll be fastening them with.
Instructions
- Prepare the walls of your garage
- Build a stud wall in the middle of your garage (this is where you will be building your shed)
- Add floor joists and load-bearing beams to support the weight of your shed
- Install 2x6s as headers at each end of the stud wall, 3 feet up from ground level and 4 inches apart
- Attach plywood sheathing to both sides of each header for insulation (this will also make it easier to screw down 2x4s for framing). You can skip this step if you’re using a metal frame or have no plans to insulate.
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
- Remove all obstructions and debris from the wall. This includes any drywall that may have been previously installed, as well as any nails or screws that were used in the construction of the stud walls.
- Remove all existing drywall, including lath strips that hold up your ceiling.
- Clean off all remaining dust left over from removing the old drywall with a vacuum cleaner or sweeping broom and dustpan. You should also wipe down your surface with a damp cloth to remove any loose particles left behind by vacuuming, as these can create an uneven surface for new plaster to adhere to (and cause cracks).
- Apply joint compound over both sides of each sheet of drywall paper using a trowel or putty knife. Let this coat fully cure before proceeding further with installation; usually about 24 hours will suffice for this step depending on weather conditions such as humidity levels and temperature fluctuations which affect drying time significantly depending on whether you’re working indoors or outdoors during summertime months.
Step 2: Measure and Cut the Studs
The next step is to measure the dimensions of the stud wall. You need to measure the height of the wall, as well as its length and width.
Once you’ve got those measurements down, cut all of your studs according to those specifications. Then, take a look at your blocking beams—if they are made from dimensional lumber rather than planks or boards like plywood or OSB, then measure their width and length so that you can cut them down as well.
Step 3: Frame Up the Wall
Next you need to frame up the wall. Use 2x4s as studs and joists, as shown in the picture below:
- Use two 2×6 boards for each sidewall stud
- Use one 2×6 board for each floor joist
- Use two 2×4 boards (one on top of another) for each ceiling joist
Step 4: Attach the Wall to the Ceiling Joists and Floor Joists
- Attach the studs to ceiling joists with three 16d galvanized nails at each end, and another two in between every 24″ (610 mm) of length.
- Attach the studs to floor joists in the same way as you did with ceiling joists.
- Most walls will require blocking beams to be attached between floor joists in order to support upper floors and ceilings properly. You may also want your garage stud wall built higher than 48″ (1219 mm) if you plan on adding shelving or cabinets above it later on down the road, so make sure these are accounted for by attaching them now, right where they need to be.
Step 5: Add Blocking Beams to Support the Drywall (Optional)
If you are going to be adding drywall to your garage, it is important to know that drywall is not strong enough to support itself on its own. Therefore, you will need to install blocking beams between the studs in order to provide additional support for the drywall. Blocking beams are usually made of 2x4s and are spaced 16 inches apart from beam-to-beam. The height at which you install your blocking beams depends on how high off the ground your ceiling will be (or at least should be). A good rule of thumb is that if any part of your ceiling goes over 8 feet tall, then you should consider installing a second layer of blocking beams atop those already installed.
Step 6: Hang Drywall Over Studs
The best way to build a stud wall is with wood studs and drywall.
This method is easy and fast because you don’t have to make any cuts or holes in the walls before you hang the drywall. If you’re building a garage or basement studio, this is probably the method that will work best for you.
It’s also important not to confuse steel headers with wood “studs”. Steel headers are used in commercial construction, but they’re not appropriate for residential projects—and they won’t hold up well if exposed directly to moisture either (which can happen when it rains).
Follow these steps to build your own stud wall in a garage.
It is important that you follow these steps closely to ensure the stud wall is built properly.
The first step is to decide how long of a stud wall you need and what height will best suit your needs. If you have large items, such as cars or workbenches, then you may want an 8′ tall garage door so they can be parked inside the garage. You can also use this method for adding storage space if needed as well. The second step is measuring out where your studs need to go along both sides of the garage door frame and marking each one with pencil so there will be no mistakes when installing them later on in this project guidebook. Now that we’re all set up here’s some safety precautions before getting started building this project: Wear eye protection goggles at all times while working with power tools because they could cause damage if not used properly or taken care of properly like wearing gloves too while working outside during hot temperatures which could cause burns if touched by bare hands.”
Conclusion
While building a stud wall in a garage may seem overwhelming, the process is actually fairly straightforward, especially if you break it down into these steps. Using the right tools and materials and taking the proper safety precautions will help ensure that your stud wall is strong enough to support drywall, shelves and other objects. The end result will be an attractive addition that helps organize your garage space.
