I want to build a wall inside my 1 car garage, I have flooring down already with those 2ftX 2ft squares with plastic on the bottom and click together wood flooring on top. I can't (because of condo docs) remove the garage door.. but I want to make this into a bedroom. Myidea is to seal the garage door(no water has ever come in here) with caulk on the bottom and 6ml plastic and tuck tape. Then put down pressure treated 2X4's to make a wall filled with R-19 insulation in front of it then sheetrock it (so basically a non-bearing wall)-the question is can I just scrw the bottom 2x4 to the existing wood or do I need to go down the 2-3 inches and hammer drill into the cement? Or is it OK to just screw it into the exhisting wood... any suggestions or comments are appreciated...

Hi Debbie

Are u saying u want to build wall on top of the floor u put in?

This is a floating floor and u may get movement if it is not cut tight to wall/garage door. Nailing to the floor will be fine if it does not move. Not normal, but can be done.

Chuck

Hi Chuck, yes it is a floating floor but is in VERY tight at the area I want to put the wall in... I know it would be best to remove this section and put it directly onto the concrete below,but it would also be a buttload of work, I am more concerned

Hi Chuck, yes it is a floating floor but is in VERY tight at the area I want to put the wall in... I know it would be best to remove this section and put it directly onto the concrete below,but it would also be a buttload of work, I am more concerned with whether the sheetrock would crack? Would nailing or screwing it in be better as screwing would allow less movement? I could use plywood too instead of sheetrock and paint it? What is your take on this?

Debbie the problem is not the drywall but the floor. Being a floating floor it needs to expand and contract. Nailing or screwing the bottom plate to the floating floor may cause problems with the floor and cause it to buckle of crack.

You said you have a one car garage which I assume is approximately 12 foot wide. Here is what I think I would do.

Get a 2x4 12 ft long, some 1/4" threaded rod, large washers and nuts and drop in concrete anchors.
Using a Forstner bit drill holes 1/2" deep in each end of the 2x4 and every 4 foot. These holes should be slightly larger than the washers you purchased. Then drill a 3/8" hole through the center of each hole. Lay the 2x4 where you want the wall to be. Drill through the holes in the 2x4 into the wooden floor to mark their location. Remove the 2x4 and drill out the holes in the wooden floor to 3/4".
Drill the concrete with a hammer drill and percussion bit for the anchors.
Install and seat anchors. Screw in a 3 or 4" piece of threaded rod. Put a nut on each rod and screw it down flush with the top of the floor or slightly above it. Put a large washer on top of each nut.

Put the 2x4x12 in place with the rods through the holes. Put a large washer and nut on each rod and tighten. The washer and nut should be below the top of the 2x4. Cut the threaded rods flush with the top of the 2x4.

The 2x4 plate will be bolted to the concrete floor but will not be putting pressure on the wooden floor, therefore the floor will be able to expand and contract.

Now build your wall and nail it to the 2x4 plate.

Hi Harold

Like the floating wall. Have done this and works good.

Use a hole saw to make 3/4'' holes in tile.

Depending on the finish and look u want, u can use either plywood or s/r.

S/R will have to be taped at seams and screws.

If using plywood, cover screws with 1/4 x 1 and paint.

Chuck