Most apartments have paper-thin walls. If you live in one, chances are you can hear everything your neighbors do easily.
This includes walking around, watching television, playing video games, and making phone calls.
In addition, there is also the problem of heat and cold seeping through the walls.
If this isn’t a situation you’re happy with, read more to discover ways you can fix it.
13 Steps to Follow When Setting Up to Fix Thin Apartment Walls
The best way to fix thin walls is to make them thicker with drywall.
Here are some of the steps you can follow to fix thin apartment walls:
Step 1: Remove the Furniture from the Walls
Start by removing the furniture from the walls. This includes beds, dressers, and entertainment centers.
If you have a wall-mounted TV, take it down too. You don’t want any of these items damaged during the drywall process.
When removing the furniture, ensure to cover them with plastic sheets. Doing so will protect your furniture from dust and paint.
Step 2: Measure Your Walls and Determine the amount of Molding You Will Need
Next, you need to measure your walls and determine the exact amount of molding you will need. Simply put a tape measure on one end of your wall to do this.
Then move it along the wall until you reach the other side. You can also use a chalk line or a laser level. Using them will ensure that your measurements are accurate.
Double-check your work by measuring from one side of the room to another. You can also measure from one corner to another.
Step 3: Buy Your Miter Saw and Materials for Cutting:
If you do not already have a miter saw, buy one now. These tools are very affordable and can make cutting wood much more accessible than other types of power tools.
They also allow you to create cleaner edges than using a hand saw or a table saw. You will also need wood trim pieces that fit your measurements from the step above.
These should be at least 2 inches wide. Moreover, they should be at least as long as your measurements from step 2 above.
Also, make sure they are made out of wood and not plastic. This is because they will need to be painted later on.
Suppose there is no store nearby that sells these types of items. In this case, contact a local hardware store for help finding them online.
Step 4: Cut Your Molding to Size with a Miter Saw
Next, you will want to cut your molding pieces. This can be done with the miter saw you purchased in step 3 above. Simply measure the length of each side of your room.
Then cut two pieces that are exactly that long. Then, measure the width of each side of your room and cut two pieces that are exactly that wide.
Once you have all four pieces, lay them down on top of each other, so they form a perfect square.
Step 5: Prepare Your Baseboard for Installation
Once you have all four pieces, lay them down on top of each other. This is to ensure that they form a perfect square. You will want to make sure that they are flush against each other.
This way, they will be straight when you put them up against the wall.
Next, take your piece of molding and line it up along the edge of your baseboard. Make sure that it is level and that it is sitting flat against the floor.
It’s critical that you do this step correctly. If not done correctly, your baseboard will not look right once installed. If there is any gap between your molding and the baseboard, fix this.
You can fix it by using some wood glue and putty knives to fill in any cracks or gaps. Then let the glue dry completely before continuing with step 6 below.
Step 6: Install Your Baseboards
Now that you have prepared your baseboards, it is time to install them on the wall. You will want to start by placing your first piece of molding against the wall.
Make sure that it is level with the floor. Then use a pencil or chalk line to mark where the top of this piece of molding should go. This will be where you nail your baseboards into place.
Now take out a drill bit slightly larger than the nails that you are using for installation. Then take out an electric drill.
This ensures that you can easily drive these nails into place without any problem.
Step 7: Install Your Trim Pieces and Crown Molding
Now, install trim pieces along with crown molding onto each one of these walls. This will give your rooms a much more finished look and make them feel more spacious.
Start by measuring out where each piece of trim should go on each wall.
Once you have done that, install these pieces onto the wall with an electric drill. Just make sure not to drive too hard. Else, you might crack the wall behind it instead.
Now, move on to your crown molding, which will go on top of these trim pieces for you to finish this project in style.
Step 8: Fill Any Nail Holes with Putty
Next, fill any nail holes with putty. You will find this putty at any home improvement store, and it is pretty inexpensive.
This is an easy step that can save you a lot of money if you do it yourself.
When using the putty, ensure that you use a putty knife to spread it evenly. Once this has been done, take a flathead screwdriver and push down on this putty.
Do the process until putty fills up each hole and creates a smooth surface on top of them. This will help prevent water from getting into these holes.
Doing so will also prevent them from looking like they were there in the first place.
Once these holes have been filled in with putty, use some sandpaper to lightly sand over them. This is to ensure that they are nice and smooth for painting purposes.
Step 9: Paint Your Walls with a Fresh Coat of Paint
In this step, you will paint your walls with a fresh coat of paint. You can choose any color that you would like for this step.
However, it is best to choose one that matches the trim pieces you have already installed onto the wall.
Once you have chosen your color, make sure you purchase enough of it. This is to ensure that you can cover all of your walls entirely with it.
Make sure you also purchase a paint roller and some paintbrushes. You can use these tools when applying this new coat of paint to your walls.
Step 10: Seal the New Paint Job with Another Coat of Latex
After you have finished painting your walls, seal this paint job with another coat of latex. This ensures that the paint remains in its best condition for longer.
You will also want to ensure that this new coat of latex seals in all of the moisture behind it. This will prevent future problems.
Step 11: Wait Until the Latex Has Dried and Apply a Second Coat
Once you have applied the first coat of latex onto your walls, let it dry. After the first coat has dried, apply another one on top of it.
The second coat should go on smoothly and evenly over top of the first one. This will ensure that no bubbles remain underneath it once it has been applied correctly.
Step 12: Wrap Up the Project
Now that you have finished applying your second coat of latex, it is time to wrap up this project. Take down the plastic sheeting used to cover everything and dispose of it properly.
Moreover, clean up any messes that might have occurred during the process. You will also want to ensure that you finish cleaning off any tools you may have used.
After you have cleaned everything up, then it is time to put everything in its place.
Step 13: Get Your Walls Inspected by a Professional
Once you have completed the project and cleaned up everything, get your walls inspected by a professional.
This person will determine if there are any problems with how well your walls were covered up. They will also tell you if there are any issues with the paint.
If there are any problems with either of these areas, then they will be able to help fix them for you. This is why it is vital to get a professional involved.
Time to Fix Thin Walls?
Thin apartment walls are a problem many renters face and can be incredibly frustrating.
But don’t fret—follow these steps. You should be able to put an end to your woes!
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