Building a temporary wall


I've got my system in a finished basement, which is basically two rectangles of different lengths next to each other. I want to seperate them in a cheap and temporary way. The size of the barrier/wall would be about 20 ft. long and 8 ft. high. There's a wooden beam running the length of the ceiling right at the point I want to seperate. Right now I've got one of those thick canvas painter's tarp screwed into the beam, which hangs all the way to the floor. This works pretty well and is definitely cheap and temporary. Just wondering if anyone else has suggestions?

Thanks,
mjb
mjbraunstein
Try pricing out steel 2x4 studs and 1/2” drywall. Steel studs are lighter and make less of a mess. They are also easy to cut. The drywall is attached with self-tapping screws.

Good Luck
If you have a concrete slab you need to float the wall. This is a must to meat code. It also allows the floor to move up without destroying your house.

Good Luck.

Michael
Michael is right! The beam and the floor above deflects (compresses) and will cause cracking. The 2x4 or steel stud channel which will be attached to the underside of the beam is used as a guide. The studs are cut a 1/4 to 3/8” short and the drywall is only attached to the vertical studs. This allows the floor above float freely.