Couple Moves to SOHO
After landing a promotion, my wife and I finally had the money to move to SOHO. We were so excited to be living in a place that offers everything New Yorkers like us would want. However, our small apartment was about to become considerably smaller with a baby on the way. It was not long before we started looking at temporary walls NYC companies to provide the room needed for our little one.
Why We Decided on a Temporary Wall
I remembered during my college days some friends purchased a temporary wall for their apartment, allowing them to put one more person in that helped on the rent. Back in those days, it was possible to get a full temporary wall that reached the ceiling. That really helped with the privacy, but our research indicated that getting one like that was going to be difficult.
So, while we understood that a full temporary wall was no longer allowed, we shopped around for the type that left some room from the ceiling. We ran it by the landlord who approved. An advantage we had was that our landlord was not only kind, but also had experience with temporary walls and approved of them. This made the process of getting a temporary wall so much easier.
We did a little research and discovered that not only were there temporary walls that were legal, but also offered storage space. After all, the baby is going to want toys one day and it helps to have a place to keep them. The added cost of the storage space did not exceed our budget, so we decided to go with one that had a standard door.
Once we made the order, the appointment was made, and the wall put in. I was surprised just how quickly the wall went up which meant that we were able to move in the crib quickly. Over the past few months, the wall has really paid for itself thanks to the privacy and quiet it offers. While I can still hear my little man crying from time to time, I feel better knowing that he has his own room. I also feel better knowing there is one more wall present to help keep the noise down.
A World of Difference
After the baby arrived, we put him in his new room, complete with crib, monitor, and plenty of gifts from friends and family. Having his own room was so important to us, but perhaps even more importantly it provided a little more privacy for me and my wife. While the challenges of parenthood are no doubt going to bring one surprise after another, I can rest assured that my little guy will be safe and snug in his own room.
For anyone who is thinking about using temporary walls NYC residents like me have in their apartments, I urge you to check out the different types that are available. You may be surprised by just what you can get even when working on a tight budget.
Things You Didn’t Know You Needing On Your Temporary Wall
For those interested in temporary walls NYC residents use to provide additional rooms in apartments, you can choose from a variety of additions that add comfort, privacy, greater air circulation, and noise reduction depending on your needs.
The additions also address certain issues that may come with standard temporary walls, such as not having a window or enough natural light coming into the space. Understanding what additions are available, means making the best-informed choice about what to add when ordering a pressurized wall. What follows are some of the more common additions that many companies have which offer this type of product.
Doors
Glass Doors: Instead of a solid door, you can choose to have doors with a substantial amount of glass, such as French doors or a frosted glass door. French doors are attractive and let in plenty of light. A frosted glass door also lets in plenty of light, but offers more privacy as it cannot be clearly seen through.
Pocket Doors: Not to be confused with sliding doors, which have tracks on the outside of the wall. A pocket door slides inside the temporary wall itself. The advantages are considerable to having this type of door, although the empty space inside means somewhat less sound protection when the doors are shut.
Sliding Doors: The advantage of sliding doors as opposed to a traditional door is that they take up far less space. A swinging door requires more room while the sliding doors stay along the walls. In small apartments, the amount of room saved by a sliding door can be crucial to making the choice of whether to have them installed or not.
Windows
Active Windows: These are windows that open and shut, much like normal windows you find in apartments. This not only allows for more light, but also better ventilation and circulation of the air. This helps prevent the room from becoming a hot or cold spot.
Stationary Windows: These are windows that do not open but allow light to travel inside the room. This is an economic choice for those who want to have natural light come into the room at a low cost.
Other Features
A common feature is having a closet to help maximize the use of space. The built-in closet can be small or large depending on your needs. You can also choose to have air circulation windows which appear to be vents in the wall. This means little of the light can come in, but you do have better air circulation that can be augmented by a fan. Another choice is to have additional sound insulation in the walls. This is perfect for those who live in noisy apartments.
Choosing the right addition for temporary walls NYC residents enjoy having in their apartments means getting the most out of your investment. Whether the walls will be present for a semester or the foreseeable future, having the proper additions means that you can live in greater comfort inside your new room.
Benefits of Pressurized Walls NYC
For decades, pressurized walls have been used to create extra rooms in apartments, so that roommates can have their own space without causing any permanent changes to the room itself. Building codes in NYC have tightened around how these walls are installed.
The code requires that a pressurized wall not be permanently attached to the surrounding walls, ceiling, or floor. That means the new wall causes no damage to the existing structure. All new walls, temporary or permanent, are technically subject to a Department of Buildings permit, though most building owners don’t apply for one on a temporary wall.
Requirements
You can’t put a pressurized wall in just any room. A few requirements apply:
- Room must be at least 80 square feet
- Room must have a window
- Wall does not block exit routes
Get any pressurized wall approval in writing from your landlord or building management before signing a lease. Written approval avoids disputes later.
Advantages
Privacy: Roommates don’t have to share the same room — a pressurized wall divides it into two. Having your own space, a door you can shut, matters more in a city this crowded.
Dampens sound: Noise from one side is reduced before it reaches the other. It’s not full soundproofing, but it’s enough to make a real difference.
Storage: Some renters add a wall purely for extra storage space — a new room with no occupant. The wall can be removed later without a major remodel.
Price
Pressurized walls start from $2,250. That covers an 8 ft ceiling, a standard swing door, and up to 12 ft of width. No leases, no hidden fees — soundproofing or extra height is quoted upfront, so you know your full price before we start. Removal is quoted at the site measure.
Seamless or seams: Walls with visible seams cost less and are the more common choice for renters on a budget. Seamless walls blend into the existing wall and ceiling for a more natural look, but take more work to install.
French Doors
If you don’t want to block out natural light, a French door is worth considering instead of the standard swing door. Adding one adds $450 to your quote — worth it if you want more light and a more finished look.
