How to Build a Knee Wall for Staircase

* Circular saw

* Miter saw

* Drill

* Level

* Measuring tape

* Pencil

* Safety glasses

* Dust mask

Materials:

* 2x4 studs

* 1/2-inch plywood

* 1x4 trim boards

* 1-inch wood screws

* 2-inch wood screws

* Caulk

* Paint

Instructions:

1. Measure the height of the staircase. The knee wall should be about 36 inches high.

2. Cut the 2x4 studs to size. You will need two studs for each knee wall. Cut the studs to the height of the staircase minus 1/2 inch.

3. Attach the studs to the floor. Use 2-inch wood screws to attach the studs to the floor joists. Make sure the studs are level.

4. Cut the plywood to size. You will need one piece of plywood for each knee wall. Cut the plywood to the width of the staircase minus 1/2 inch.

5. Attach the plywood to the studs. Use 1-inch wood screws to attach the plywood to the studs. Make sure the plywood is flush with the top of the studs.

6. Install the trim boards. Cut the trim boards to size and miter the corners. Use 1-inch wood screws to attach the trim boards to the studs.

7. Caulk the seams. Use caulk to seal the seams between the plywood and the trim boards. This will help to keep water from seeping into the knee wall.

8. Paint the knee wall. Paint the knee wall to match the rest of the staircase.

Tips:

* If you are not comfortable cutting wood, you can have the studs and plywood cut to size at the home improvement store.

* When attaching the studs to the floor joists, make sure to use screws that are long enough to penetrate the joists.

* When attaching the plywood to the studs, make sure to use screws that are short enough that they do not penetrate the face of the plywood.

* If you are installing the knee wall in a high-traffic area, you may want to use a more durable material, such as MDF or laminate.