So I'm planning to frame up a simple partition wall with a door at one end. This wall will butt up to an exterior wall that already has a stud where I need it (I think some previous owner got rid of this wall in the past. I'm putting it back.

I've googled for the right way to do this and the part that's throwing me is the 15-1/4" measurement that you start with.

What I've read is that you measure & make a mark 15-1/4" from the end of your top & sole plates. This mark represents the edge of the first common stud, correct? So in other words, the entire width (rather than just half) of the end stud is inside the space between them..

Second question..

At the other end of the wall, there will be a door. Is there a minimum amount of space that I need to have between a wall and the rough opening? I'm thinking that I've seen other door openings where the end stud also serves as the king stud, and the cripple is just nailed directly to it. Is this correct, or do I need to put an end stud, then king stud next to it, then a cripple inside the other two?

 

Sound like you are on track. The important part is to have the seams fall on the center of a stud and keep all studs in between spaced 16" on center.

Now, have you removed the sheetrock from the wall you are attaching to. If you have, then you need to adjust for the old wall sheetrock if that goes up first.

As for end studs being used as a king stud, if that is where it falls, fine. Since this is an open space I assume it is not a bearing wall, but in any case, be sure to make your new wall a tight fit.

If there will be an actual door and not just a walk through, then you need the rough opening, width and height. If it will be left open, I would use a minimum of 36" after the finish trim.

Bud

 

I'm re-doing all of the exterior walls, so one of the walls that I'm attaching to is sheetrock-free. I'm going across the space to another wall - actually a corner. I assume that I need to take the sheetrock off at the point where I'm attaching to the other wall, right? So do I put an extra stud inside the end stud and then go 16" from that?

This is a non bearing wall, and yes it will be a full interior door, not an empty opening. 30" is the standard interior door for bedrooms, right?

 

hit reply and my post disappeared oh well, let me try again

Yes, you would add a stud at the start of the wall if you need it to start your drywall. Since you intend to hang a door, you need to leave enough room for the door, the jamb and some shims to insure the door can be hung plumb.

 

When spacing studs, measure from where the edge of the drywall begins. Center each stud in 16 inch increments from this beginning point.

At the door in the corner, install enough framing so that the door jamb will be far enough from the finished corner to leave space for the door trim. This space will depend on the width of the trim you plan to use.

 

hmmm... here's another thought..

This wall is in our lower level. It's not really a basement, but the exterior wall that I'm joining to is masonry block on the bottom and framed on tip.

I'm thinking I need to use pressure treated 2x4 on the bottom plate and for the first stud against the exterior wall. Correct?

Also, should I put some kind of plastic sheeting between that first stud and the masonry block? What about between the bottom plate and the slab?

 

15 1/4" on the first plate mark from the existing stud edge, and 16" after that. That will give you the left edge of all your studs (if you are right handed and working left to right). There's nothing worse than trying to locate a "center" mark under a stud. Once you have make your tick marks, fill them in with a speed square. Draw the stud to this mark and slam it in.