We are remodeling our basement and have run into an issue left to us by the previous owner. They built a half wall under the corner of the existing window. What is the easiest/cheapest way to build up the wall around the window, if at all? We really can't move the wall over and we obviously can't move the window. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Why can't you move the wall?

 

Well we can but would really rather not have to. The floor is tiled and there is a sink cabinet attached to the existing half wall. If there is an alternative fix other than moving the wall that is what we prefer to do. The wall is only half and half at the window frame. To wall it up would go over the window about 3 inches.

 

I think we really need photos.

 

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html

 

Here is the picture of what we are dealing with.

 

Moving the wall would be best. Moving the window is another option. Or you could frame another vertical wall behind the first one? Or just put a top plate on that half wall, then stud it up normally, but in the last 2 ft or so, turn the 2x4's sideways. Would that give you enough room?

 

Thank you for the suggestions. I was hoping for an "oh yeah that happens sometimes this is what you do". We considered installing glass blocks in the opening but it is kind of the same problem.

 

It can be difficult to tell from a picture, but the studs appear to be wider than 2x4s - 3-1/2". Can you leave the side of the wall away from the window where it is and re-frame it with narrower studs? Or even, as X suggested, use 2x4s turned sideways?

Again, just going from the picture, there appears to be enough space to frame a wall between the window trim and the back of the cabinet or counter that appears to the right. Is that just something that's not clear because we're looking at a photo?

 

Well what you don't see is that there is a partial wall with a framed door that is on this side of the picture. The half wall that you see there extends across the room but becomes a full wall just out of the picture frame. Sorry I didn't take the pictures or I would have included that.

 

Replace the half wall with a twelve inch deep bookcase about the same height as the existing wall. That keeps the missing tile area covered. Then bring the wall up from the back top of the bookcase just past the window trim. The bookcase would go that far and the new top wall tied into it with a ninety degree turn on top of the bookcase.

 

OK, how does this sound. Frame the full depth of the wall starting about 2' away from the window. Continue full depth framing above the window up to the window wall. So now you have a hole in your framing the height of the window and 2' from the window to your first stud. On the back (sink side) of the wall use a piece of 1/2" (thicker if you can make it work) plywood instead of sheetrock. Now you have a cubby in your wall. Put some shelves in the recess so it doesn't look like a mistake. You can radius the shelves near the window and use a dowel support on the outer radiused corner.

 

Toolmon you and I think alike. We both posted basically the same solution at the same time.