Hi, I’m Dave, your RONA expert.
Have you ever considered putting a decorative room divider in your home?
Well, today, I’m going to show you how.
This project requires a certain skill level, but with some expert guidance we’ll get it done.
Let’s take a look at all the tools you’ll need before we start.
And never forget these, your safety glasses.
Now, we want the divider to be solid when we put it up, and that comes down to picking the right spot.
It has to be securely fastened to 3 surfaces, through a solid framing member.
That could be a joist in your ceiling, a stud in your wall and the substrate of your floor.
Remember, you may need to add additional framing in your situation, so please take that into consideration.
But once that all checks out, we’re ready to go.
My advice is to make a detailed plan like the one I have here.
I’ve already taken my measurements for the space of my room and the materials required.
Let’s do this.
We’re going to start by measuring all the pieces.
So, stick to your plan and measure the top and bottom platesheader and the footer, the side pieces, the inside planks and the two pieces for the alcove.
Because the divider will be assembled on the floor and then lifted to be installed, it’s important that it’s shorter than the ceiling by 1.5 inches.
As for the material, I chose laminated pine planks because of how stable they are, but you could use another material if you prefer.
Using a table saw, cut all the planks to a width of 5.5 inches.
Then cut all your other pieces to the right length.
To speed up the process, you can use the stop block on your saw.
This is also a good time to make two templates
they’ll help you space your planks evenly throughout the installation.
I chose to go with a 1 1/2" spacer.
Sand your pieces to ensure they're smooth.
Depending on your choice of material, you might decide to varnish or paint your pieces.
Here’s an expert tip: do it before assembling the divider so that
1) it’s easier to apply and 2) the finish looks better.
For a nice finish and easier maintenance, don't forget to sand between coats with 320 grit finishing sheets!
Once all of your pieces are ready, assemble the frame of the structure on the floor using a carpenter's square.
It’s very important that it’s straight and perfectly square.
Add a few drops of glue before nailing it into place. Double check that everything is straight.
Once the frame is assembled, check your measurements one last time.
Next, you can start installing the interior planks using your templates to ensure you get the same spacing every time.
Place one at each end. Once everything’s in place, strengthen the structure by adding screws
My pro tip is to pre-drill your holes so that there's no risk of cracking the wood. Stop when you get to the alcove.
We're going to build the alcove separately from the rest of the structure.
Use the planks that are going to go on the top and bottom as guides to ensure you get the right measurements.
Follow your plan for the other two pieces. Glue, nail, and screw the pieces together.
Now, place the alcove and secure it to the rest of the structure.
We're going to finish off the project by securing the remaining planks the same way using glue, nails, and screws.
Don't forget to use your templates!
Now that the divider is built, a stud in the wall to secure it to.
Do the same for the ceiling. If that's not possible, it would be a good idea to reinforce your structure.
Here’s an expert tip: the divider is quite heavy, so make sure to get help before lifting it—2 to 3 people should do the job.
Next, measure and cut your moulding. Install another plank of the same length as your divider on the floor.
Screw it very firmly into place, it's the key to anchoring the structure.
Add construction glue to the wall.
Once the divider is lifted and placed between the two planks, secure it by screwing it into the wall’s stud and the two planks.
To finish things off, just be sure to plug and sand all of the holes left by the screws.
And there you have it! Now that you know how to build a room divider, you can put one practically anywhere.
Let us know how your project went in the comments and be sure to like, subscribe and share.
And if your looking for other projects, check out our other videos. See you next time!