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A pony wall is nothing more than a short wall, and the term is often used interchangeably with “knee wall” or “cripple wall.” Pony walls, like regular walls, have top and bottom plates, that is, the horizontal members that the vertical studs fasten to. Interior pony walls are drywalled and finished.
Why do they call it a pony wall?
Also known as half walls, pony walls only come up—you guessed it—halfway or partway to partially divide a space. The supposed origins of pony walls confirms the name: It’s said short walls were originally added to stables for ponies.
What’s the difference between a knee wall and a pony wall?
A knee wall is always a load-bearing wall while a pony wall is not. A pony wall is primarily for decoration and dividing rooms. Sometimes, the words are interchangeable, but more often than not, they are distinct works with two separate meanings. A knee wall is a knee wall and a pony wall is a pony wall.
Are pony walls outdated?
Pony walls were famous back in the 1960s, so some people may think they’ve gone out of style by now. But believe it or not, these short, usually non-weight-bearing walls may have lots of useful and aesthetic purposes around your house. Pony walls are actually coming back in style in some home designs.
Is a pony wall load-bearing?
The term pony wall is used to refer to a load-bearing wall that rests on the sill plate of a foundation and supports the joists of the floor above it. These walls are sometimes called cripple walls, and they carry the load of the entire structure and transmit it to the foundation.
What do you put on a pony wall?
Paneling, beadboard, and drywall are all commonly used to finish the sides of pony walls stationed in living spaces, while the top caps are often made from stained hardwood or painted finish-grade plywood. In the bathrooms, however, tile is commonly used to finish pony wall sides and caps.
What is the top of a pony wall called?
The top of a pony wall is often finished with a wood cap. Usually, this cap overhangs the wall by an inch or so to create enough space to run molding to hide the joint. Used this way, pony walls are a great way to separate spaces while preserving long, interior views that make both areas feel larger.
How thick is a pony wall?
Pony wall height is 42 inches, which is lower than 48 inches or half the ceiling height. Kitchen counter is 34 inches high, so the half wall protects eight inches.
How much does it cost to build a pony wall?
Half walls The average price of half walls is between $10 and $20 per square foot. If you are looking to install a half wall, you may want to consider the following types: Half walls. Pony walls.
How do you get rid of pony walls?
Steps: Put on safety glasses and work gloves, and then cut around the seam of the wall where it connects to the side wall. Use pry bars to remove the trim. The nails in the top plate will probably be pretty tough. Next, go to work with the reciprocating saw.
What are dwarf walls?
: a low toe wall built to retain the slope of an excavation or embankment.
Why is it called a knee wall?
The term is derived from the association with a human knee, partly bent. Knee walls are common in houses in which the ceiling on the top floor is an attic, i.e. the ceiling is the underside of the roof and slopes down on one or more sides.
What is a stub wall?
A low wall, monolithically placed with a concrete floor (or other members) so as to provide for the control and attachment of wall forms.
How can you tell if a pony wall is load-bearing?
To determine if a wall is a load-bearing one, Tom suggests going down to the basement or attic to see which way the joists run. If the wall is parallel to the joists, it’s probably not load-bearing. If the wall is perpendicular, it’s most likely load-bearing.
What is a porch knee wall?
While not as prevalent as they used to be, knee walls are a type of porch railing that can still be found in many Craftsman-style houses today. Knee walls allow for electrical wiring to be run through them and can also provide a studier backdrop for furniture.
Are half walls ever load-bearing?
If the wall is a partial wall, meaning it stops short of an adjacent wall, it may or may not be load-bearing. For example, the builder may have installed a microlam beam to span across the opening and carry the load above.
How do you use a pony wall?
Use a pony wall to separate the sleeping space and the closet, home office or a bathroom. Use this wall as a headboard, add storage inside and attach shelves or lamps and sconces. If you want a sleek look, opt for a non-storage pony wall. This is a great idea to zone the bedroom and keep it spacious and light-filled.
What is a pony wall in a shower?
A pony wall is a half wall that extends partway from floor to ceiling, and doesn’t provide any support. In our case, we needed a wall to separate the shower and vanity, but we didn’t need that wall to go all the way to the ceiling.
What is Basement pony wall?
An engineered knee wall (sometimes called a pony wall) is a poured concrete wall that is installed on the interior side of a foundation in a basement or cellar, in effect making the wall of the foundation twice as thick. The result is a clean and dry basement, a sealed building envelope and a more stable foundation.
How high should a toilet knee wall be?
They extend from the floor to a height of approximately 3 feet (91.44 cm) and are often constructed around or up against a shower stall or bathtub surround.
