I want to build an @3ft high stud wall as a 'L' shaped balustrade (8ft x 2ft in length). This is in a first floor room with staircase to groundfloor. I have built floor to ceiling frames but want to ensure 100% stability in this. Do I need to use special fixings or use a specific frame pattern to give the wall lateral integrity. Is the combination of floor joist fixings, wall fixing (at the short end of the 'L') and plasterboard enough to ensure rigidity even when you get to the end of the 8ft length furthest away from the return wall? I was also wondering about having 2-3 openings to let light through to the stairwell. They would be @ 12 inches x 14 inches. This is pretty difficult to explain clearly without a drawing but I hope you get the picture.
Answer:
The only way you'll get sufficient integrity out of a wall such as you describe is by fixing the newel posts to the sides of the joists under the sub-floor. You may actually have to introduce more framework between the two joists to attach them to. This is by no means as intimidating as it sounds. Sub-flooring is easy to remove to accommodate the work and then to cut to fit again when you replace it.
