Building "pressurized" walls

Posted by S-boy on January 5, 2009, 1:24 pm

I want to build an L-shaped wall in our home to create another small
bedroom for a few years (until I ship the kids off to college) then
tear it down later.

I've seen several sites online that specialize in so-called
pressurized walls built with studs and drywall like a conventional
wall, but without any fasteners or glue. Most of these seem to be in
New York City, used to divide lofts and apartments without causing any
lasting damage.

My guess is that something is attached to the top of the wall that
unscrews, much like a steel post, to create tension between the
ceiling and floor to hold the wall in place.

Anybody now exactly how it's done? And if so, is it a job a hack
handyman like me could attempt, or is best left to a pro?

Posted by on January 5, 2009, 2:46 pm

> I want to build an L-shaped wall in our home to create another small
> bedroom for a few years (until I ship the kids off to college) then
> tear it down later.
> I've seen several sites online that specialize in so-called
> pressurized walls built with studs and drywall like a conventional
> wall, but without any fasteners or glue. =A0Most of these seem to be in
> New York City, used to divide lofts and apartments without causing any
> lasting damage.
> My guess is that something is attached to the top of the wall that
> unscrews, much like a steel post, to create tension between the
> ceiling and floor to hold the wall in place.
> Anybody now exactly how it's done? And if so, is it a job a hack
> handyman like me could attempt, or is best left to =A0a pro?

Never seen them but it would be fairly easy to build a wall that has
minimal attachment and could be torn down easily. Just find the
ceiling joists and use a few deck screws to fasten your wall frame to
them. Same on the floor. Don't finish the new wall board onto the
existing wall and ceiling. Instead cover the edges with some small
flat molding before painting.

Posted by TonyG on January 6, 2009, 3:13 am

S-boy wrote:

> I want to build an L-shaped wall in our home to create another small
> bedroom for a few years (until I ship the kids off to college) then
> tear it down later.
>
> I've seen several sites online that specialize in so-called
> pressurized walls built with studs and drywall like a conventional
> wall, but without any fasteners or glue. Most of these seem to be in
> New York City, used to divide lofts and apartments without causing any
> lasting damage.
>
> My guess is that something is attached to the top of the wall that
> unscrews, much like a steel post, to create tension between the
> ceiling and floor to hold the wall in place.
>
> Anybody now exactly how it's done? And if so, is it a job a hack
> handyman like me could attempt, or is best left to a pro?

You are going to put your kids in there. Use nails. Nails and good wood
have made hundreds of years of bad carpentry work servicable. Use nails.
TonyG

Posted by Phil on January 6, 2009, 9:40 am

Concrete blocks. Or brick.

Posted by bmanny on January 7, 2009, 7:11 pm

bmanny had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/construction/Building-pressurized-walls-16155-.htm
:

My brother works for one of the top companies in New York
www.wallcreators.com
these guys are experts at what they do and it should not be left for
"Handy
Andy" to take a whack at.

Most contractors have never even heard of a pressurized wall and it is
primarrily a hot item in NYC where rents are ridiculous.

To my knowledge there are no special building materials or tools used so
its
all about skill in how they keep the wall from falling. Since the walls
are not
permenently attached to the existing walls, floor or ceiling there is no
requirement for building permits which is why this is a hot issue in NYC
where
getting a permit would be a nightmare for something you want to tear down
in a
year or so. If you are close enough to NYC, get a pro to do it. They
also
carry the required liability insurance. There is a site that list the top
firms
in New York: www.pressurizedwallcompanies.com

Good luck!!!

Bill

-------------------------------------
S-boy wrote:

> I want to build an L-shaped wall in our home to create another small
> bedroom for a few years (until I ship the kids off to college) then
> tear it down later.

> I've seen several sites online that specialize in so-called
> pressurized walls built with studs and drywall like a conventional
> wall, but without any fasteners or glue. Most of these seem to be in
> New York City, used to divide lofts and apartments without causing any
> lasting damage.

> My guess is that something is attached to the top of the wall that
> unscrews, much like a steel post, to create tension between the
> ceiling and floor to hold the wall in place.

> Anybody now exactly how it's done? And if so, is it a job a hack
> handyman like me could attempt, or is best left to a pro?

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