Securing Half Wall
#1
06-01-14, 07:59 AM
Join Date: Jun 2014
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Securing Half Wall
I am replacing an old metal railing with a half wall at the top of our stairs. After framing the wall and putting drywall on, I noticed that the free end of the wall wobbles a little bit. I have searched for suggestions on how to secure the wall so it doesn't wobble, but most require that I cut into the floor, which I hope I don't have to do.
The wall was made with 2x4's (see drawing). I secured the bottom plate to the floor with two 3" lag bolts between each stud. The free end of the wall has two 2x4's screwed together instead of one. I screwed an angle bracket with a 6" lag bolt to the floor on the free end (red/gray part of wall drawing).
One thought that I had was to put a 4x4 on top of the free end using an angle bracket and attach it to the ceiling joist. Or maybe use some kind of support pole.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
The wall was made with 2x4's (see drawing). I secured the bottom plate to the floor with two 3" lag bolts between each stud. The free end of the wall has two 2x4's screwed together instead of one. I screwed an angle bracket with a 6" lag bolt to the floor on the free end (red/gray part of wall drawing).
One thought that I had was to put a 4x4 on top of the free end using an angle bracket and attach it to the ceiling joist. Or maybe use some kind of support pole.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
#2
06-01-14, 10:25 AM
Welcome to the forums!
Oh, I wish life were that easy. In order for the newel area to not wobble, you will need to cut through the flooring, install either a 4x4 (preferred) or 2 ea 2x4's down through the hole and fasten to adjacent framing. Do you have access to the area beneath the staircase? You only addressed one plane with your bracket.
but most require that I cut into the floor, which I hope I don't have to do
#3
06-02-14, 08:05 AM
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I do not have access to the area beneath the staircase. If adding a post connected to the ceiling won't help, what about adding an additional wall at a 90 degree angle from the free end.
#5
06-02-14, 01:54 PM
I agree with Marksr in that a continuous post at the end would work, and anytime you add a dimension like an "L" you increase the stability, but I don't see where that would happen here.
#6
06-03-14, 10:54 AM
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I was thinking I would add the extra wall to make an "L", but I thought of another problem. Adding the "L" would help stabilize the main part, but how would I make the extra part not wobble like my first problem? I am going to make the extra part roughly 12". Is this short enough so that it won't wobble?
Last edited by Black Hole; 06-03-14 at 11:13 AM.
#7
06-03-14, 01:39 PM
If your "L" doesn't protrude too much into the other room, you are adding another dimension of stability to the wall. Remember two legs won't make a comfortable stool, but adding that 3rd leg makes it rock.
#8
06-03-14, 04:11 PM
Could you make the short leg of the "L" triangular in shape, or at least have triangular bracing inside the short leg of the "L"? That would help with any side to side (relative to the stairs) wobble.
