How to Frame a Bathroom Wall

With a basic knowledge of framing bathroom walls, along with a few simple materials and tools, you will be able to design or remodel a bathroom and turn it into a more comfortable and useful room for your family. To make creative changes to your bathroom's structure by framing some of its walls, refer to the information you'll find below.

Step 1 - Planning Your Bathroom Construction

A reconstructed bathroom that is well planned will ensure that you can avoid repairs and future expensive alterations. The first step in planning will be to decide what you will want your bathroom to look like. Search through home improvement magazines, do some online research, and spend a few minutes with home improvement television programs. Then drawing a few basic sketches will help give you ideas about space, measurements, and placement of windows, shower, and cabinets. If you are remodeling rather than starting your construction from scratch, use the existing placement of utilities, entrance, and cabinets when making your drawings.

Step 2 - Plan Your Bathroom Framing

In planning your framing, keep in mind that moisture in your bathroom will be an important factor, because of high moisture content in the air from showers and constant running water. For this reason, plan to use moisture proofing to keep floors from sustaining water damage and buildup of mold. Plan to use water resistant drywall. For exterior walls, include moisture barriers in your planning.

Step 3 - Framing

Framing a bathroom is not like framing other rooms in your house. In addition to installing your wall studs, floor, ceiling plates, and drywall, you'll need to frame for shower stalls, plumbing, and window openings. Use special materials such as moisture resistant drywall and waterproofing caulk.

Step 4 - Framing for Windows

For your new bathroom, unlike other rooms of the house, you will have a choice of window types, such as a bow window, double-hung windows, casement windows, and maybe even a skylight. Each type of window will require its own unique framing, so plan in advance the type of windows you plan to install in your bathroom.

Step 5 - Bathroom Partitions

When compared with other construction in your bathroom, framing for partitions will be relatively simple. Partitions separating a spa, toilet, or an additional tub or shower can easily be installed by using the same wall framing methods as with other areas of your house. You will find it easier to install your bathroom framing if you construct the frame outside your bathroom, then bring it into the bathroom and attach it to floor and ceiling. When installing your drywall, remember to use moisture resistant drywall on the bathroom side of your interior wall.

Step 6 - Framing Your Shower Stall

Framing for shower stalls will take more care and precision than standard framing. If your framing for shower stalls has gaps or spaces from inaccurate measurements or construction, you could eventually find leaks, mold, or water damage where water or moisture has penetrated these spaces.