Over the past several years, temporary walls for apartments have been one of the most popular ways for tenants to add new roommates and lower the rent cost. With a single payment and one-day installation, the walls provide for an extra bedroom and needed privacy which means more people can stay in the apartment.

For college students, those just setting out in their careers, and homeowners looking to rent additional space, the temporary wall can be the ticket.

Types of Temporary Walls

There are three basic types that are used to create an extra room. Each wall has its advantages, so it is important to know which one is right for your needs and requirements.

Pressurized:

The pressurized wall is the one that is most desired because it provides a full wall and complete separation. A pressurized wall is the only one that is attached to the ceiling and when completed will look like the wall has always been there.

The primary advantage of a temporary wall is that it uses pressure as the attachment to the ceiling, floor, and other walls that it touches. Because no fasteners are used, when the wall is removed there are no marks, scratches, or indentations left behind.

However, because of a fire in 2005 that left two firemen dead, the city has sought to limit the use of pressurized walls in apartment buildings. This means that in many residential buildings, it may not be possible to have pressurized walls installed.

Bookshelf:

The bookshelf is a popular alternative mostly because it provides for extra storage space along the wall. This is basically a pressurized wall with a bookshelf on one or both sides. There are several different designs available and you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Bookshelves do not go all the way up to the ceiling and are freestanding, which means that there are no attachments or fasteners used.

Partial:

The partial wall overcomes the issues of pressurized walls and can be found in far more apartment buildings. The difference between a full pressurized wall and a partial one is that the partial wall stops short of the ceiling, usually by a foot or more. In addition, most partial walls do not have a door, but a simple opening.

The advantage is that partial walls can be easily installed in most apartment buildings with little issue from the city. Although it will depend on your landlord whether it is desirable. It also uses pressure instead of fasteners and leaves no marks when removed.

The downside is the openings, particularly the one where the door should be. This means having to use curtains or other creative measures that keeps the opening in place but does not block it in a way that may prevent someone from escaping. Curtains are the most common way to ensure privacy.

Finding the right temporary walls for apartments will mean discussing which option will work best for your needs. For many, each type of wall offers advantages along with disadvantages that will need to be considered before making your final choice.