Building an internal "wall"

jso · 27 Jan 2019

Conservatory (three stone walls and one of sliding doors) with recently quarry tiled floor (chipboard with hardiebacker on top).
Before I finish the tiling (I'm working towards the back wall) I'm now thinking of running a low wall along one length, about 18"-24" out from the existing wall. This would be for plants, as in old style conservatories and greenhouses. 18"-24" high, and about 16 feet long.

What building materials could I use?

Some kind of timber and plasterboard stud wall construction, with either a timber or a tiled "coping" along the top? But how to keep it stable as it would only be attached to the floor and each end wall?

Breeze blocks? But would the floor joists take that kind of construction?

I was thinking I could line the whole thing with some kind of membrane to keep any overwatering from damaging either the existing or the new construction.

^woody^ · 27 Jan 2019

Timber would be pretty standard. It depends what you want it to look like though.

A bog standard plasterboard wall to achieve something like old style conservatories and greenhouse would seem a contradiction.

jso · 27 Jan 2019

^woody^ said:
Timber would be pretty standard. It depends what you want it to look like though.

When you say "timber" were you envisaging solid timber or some kind of frame?

^woody^ said:
A bog standard plasterboard wall to achieve something like old style conservatories and greenhouse would seem a contradiction.*

Well, ideally, for a true traditional look, it would be brick or stone to match other walls; but ours are plastered and painted anyway so I was thinking of not introducing another texture. I guess whatever I do will be a compromise.

Another alternative could be tile it to match the floor.
It's building it in the first place I'm not sure about.

^woody^ · 27 Jan 2019

Yes timber frame, like a stud partition wall if you want to Google that. Then plasterboard, plyboard, or a cement board like your hardybacker depending on what finish you want.

This will be pretty rigid, so you'll only need a couple of fixings each end, and you could use gripfil to stick the sole plate (bottom timber) to the floor. But if you are making this in-situ, you'll need to screw the sole plate down.

Top finish is again down to your preference.

jso · 27 Jan 2019

That's really helpful. Thank you.

I suppose the back wall and the inside of the new construction could also be hardiebackered? Would be waterproof/water resistant? (joints siliconed?)

catlad · 27 Jan 2019

You could always build a planter out of decking planks and make it free standing, that way if you change your mind in the future you can just remove it.

^woody^ · 27 Jan 2019

It would be better to have the plants in large pots or removable troughs, rather than just filling the planter with soil and having to do the associated lining of it.

jso · 27 Jan 2019

Yes...that makes sense... maybe with moss/bark chippings to make it look more permanently planted.

jso · 27 Jan 2019

catlad said:
You could always build a planter out of decking planks and make it free standing, that way if you change your mind in the future you can just remove it.

That had crossed my mind too, but the quarry tiled flooring has a border running around it a couple of tiles in from the walls. I don't mind furniture (with legs) covering some of that, but a big planter might spoilt the look...so I was thinking of something more permanent with the border running in front of it.

Need to decide soon, before finishing the floor!

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Building an internal "wall"

Similar threads