How do you make a paneling wall?

Question

We have a basement finished with paneling walls and carpeting and a drywalled ceiling. We want to create 2 new walls and hang a door to make a new room down there. I want to avoid drywall, plus paneling will match the existing basement walls. How do you create new paneling walls, and hang a door? Do you frame out walls as you would for drywall?How can this be done over the carpeting?

The carpeting is expensive and brand new. I was hoping to keep the option of removing the walls someday, although they are likely going to be permanent. I have 2 babies and don't want to make a mess, so I was hoping to avoid the dusty drywall.

Answer 1

Certainly to answer first CAN IT BE DONE? Of course. Obviously if you have no real need to insulate any added walls/rooms. dividing an area with framing and paneling alone will be OK aestheticaly, but not strictly substantial in regard to any abuses the walls might endure.

Yes you'll have to frame it as you would any wall in a house.

You can either CUT the carpet to fit the studs and panelling to the concrete, using tap cons to secure it; OR if you feel it won't be abused you might secure the wall framing otherwise. It probably depends in some part on your intent; and the time frame you intend for the wall. BTW, without at all knowing why you want to avoid drywall, paneling is most often installed OVER drywall.

At the very least you should secure the door frame to the floor, unless you intend a bifold or accordian door?

In essence it's your choice, with regard to securing the wall framing. To NOT secure that to the floor assumes it will be a "Floating" wall??? No doubt you can add more horizontal bracing to the wall framing, to help support the paneling, but still your walls will be subject to movement if not secured.

Obvious too, and again, is some decision; at some point to NOT have the walls and after cutting carpet, have to deal with that.

You have a few options and don't strictly have to consider WALLS in the sense of what is in the rest of the house.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

Use normal framework. Put your insulation in between the lathe so you don't have cold spots in the room.

Cut some off the paneling to allow for the carpet.
Use a regular skill saw but don't use a rip blade
or one that has the big cutting edges far apart.It wiil ruin the panel. Get a fine blade. That will work. The blade you buy will show on the package if it is for cutting paneling. use your liquid nails to hang the panel. Tack one or two brads just enough into the lathe to hold the panel, this will hold the panel up with the glue until it drys, then take the brads out. Get the constrfuction grade liquid nails. It is amazingly strong. Put the glue
on the lathe(stud) from top to botton in spots
about 6 inches apart. This will hold the panel forever. Cut the opening for the door. Keep the cut within a fourth inch. You will need a drywall blade
if going through that surface. Make sure no electrical wires are in the way. Don't want to cut through those. You want to cut next to a stud, so your door frame and door are supported. The other side where the door closes should have some framing in the area you will be putting the knob. A thirty
or thirty one inch wide door will do nicely and you can put your framing up, hang the door on its hinges, put in the hardware to hold the door shut and hold the knob of course. Cut your hole into the framing where the striker will hit. You will get a template you can use which comes with the knob kit.
The studs in the house should be 16 inches between.
If so cutting out the center framing studs gives the door free swing. Like I said your door opening
will be the first major goal. If the studs are of different width apart, say l7 or l8, take out the old framing horizontal to the floor. buy a door to fit or, simply put some new framing in the side you will be hanging the door on. This is cheaper than buying a great big door that wouldnt look good anyway. Its a simple job but requires precision cutting. The door framing will cover the opening cut. You got it made. Anywhere the carpet impinges,
you can cut off a small amount without forcing it.
A bow in the panel is good for conversation starters
so don't make the paneling too tight a fit to the ceiling or floor. the width will take care of itself
since there is no way to not see the matching line on the sides. Most do it yourself stores have little how to pamphlets which are good. Some tend to be very anal and would require an investment of thousands of dollars to do. I doubt it in this case. Check it out. Don't forget your insulation.
Ask for the number (insulation capacity) such as R 19 but you want the number best suited for your climate. I havent bought it in a while. It used to be about $10 dollars a roll. Look for a used door
if your budget is a little shy. Sometimes you can find one with hingers and hardware for a few bucks.
You should tack in the insulation with a staple gun.
But in a small job, dont buy one. Just tack it in with wide headed tacks that are not too long with your little hammer. And you don't need to drywall where you put the paneling. Studs--insulation will
give you what you need. Unless there is a noise issue, dont take all that time, money and effort to do it. Who will know? It will be a nice clean job
and you can be proud of it. These instructions need to be read a few times, make a diagram on your own so you understand. Good luck.

Answer 3

You will have to frame it out just like you would if you were putting a drywall separation up, but you put your studs 24" apart instead of every 18", it will not be a strong as a regular wall but all you are doing is making a separation.
FYI insulate the wall and it will cut down on any outside noise.
And as far as the carpet, just lay on top of it, when you change carpet in the future just cut on the edge of the plate that you put down and set down a nail strip.

Answer 4

Yes, you would frame it the same way. I'd suggest hanging drywall and then putting the paneling over that. The paneling isn't very strong and it'd be very easy to accidentally punch a hole in it.

Personally, I wouldn't put a partition wall with a door over carpeting. Just cut out the 4" section of carpet with a razor knife and start framing.