
What is the origin of the term pony wall?
The supposed origins of pony walls confirms the name: It's said short walls were originally added to stables for ponies. Click to see full answer. Consequently, what does pony wall mean? A pony wall is a short wall.
Is a pony wall right for You?
Still, she does see the value in using them for specific circumstances, such as to hide a toilet from the sink area (as well as living rooms when the door is ajar), divide a kitchen and formal dining room, or partition a balcony. If pony walls aren't for you, there are other options.
What is the height of a pony wall?
Wikipedia defines a pony wall as a short wall. You can also think of it as a half wall, extending up from the floor towards the ceiling but stopping half way. Ceiling height is 96 inches (8 ft). Pony wall height is 42 inches, which is lower than 48 inches or half the ceiling height.
Is a pony wall the same as a knee wall?
The term “pony wall” is generally used synonymously with “cripple wall” or “knee wall.” However, these are not the same, and a pony wall has some distinct differences.

Why do they call it a pony wall?
Pony walls differ from knee walls, which are generally intended to support something such as a countertop, handrail, or rafter. The supposed origins of pony walls confirms the name: It's said short walls were originally added to stables for ponies.
What is the difference between a pony wall and a half wall?
A pony wall is also known as a half wall, stem wall, short wall, or cripple wall. Pony walls are about interior design as they are not full-height walls and are often used as room dividers. However, a knee wall is often used for attic structural support, as one example.
Are pony walls outdated?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.
What is a pony wall in architecture?
A pony wall is a short wall. In different circumstances, it may refer to: a half wall that only extends partway from floor to ceiling, without supporting anything. a stem wall, a concrete wall that extends from the foundation slab to the cripple wall or floor joists.
Are pony walls 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.
How do you decorate a room with 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 do you put on top of 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 average height of a pony wall?
Technically, a half wall can be any height short of the ceiling; realistically, pony wall height is usually about 3 to 4 feet tall, depending on the wall's purpose and location. A pony wall is built just like any other wall: Cut framing lumber to the length of the half wall to form the wall's top and bottom plates.
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What is a pony wall in a bathroom?
A pony wall is a half wall that extends partway from floor to ceiling, and doesn't provide any support. A pony wall provides the function of a wall, yet enables an open design and clear ceiling line.
How wide is a pony wall?
A little more research indicates that half walls should be between 36 and 48 inches. If you're building or remodeling, have them frame the wall for 42 inches, and see how you like it.
Why do they call it 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 the typical height of a pony wall?
about 3 feet tallFor all intents, a pony wall is just a short wall that does not reach the ceiling; it need not be any particular height nor width, though it typically reaches about 3 feet tall.
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. A pony wall provides the function of a wall, yet enables an open design and clear ceiling line.
What is the width of a pony wall?
The best height for a pony wall is approximately 18-24 inches with a minimum width of 12 inches. A pony wall defines garden spaces without obstructing views. A pony wall highlights garden features, such as fountains and fire pits.
What do you use half walls for?
1:203:52Building A Strong Half Wall - Avoiding the WOBBLE! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could do this on every single stud wall stud tip the joist or every single joist. I should sayMoreYou could do this on every single stud wall stud tip the joist or every single joist. I should say or just a few. You can attach each 2x4 stud to the floor joist.
Why do you use a pony wall?
Used this way, pony walls are a great way to separate spaces while preserving long, interior views that make both areas feel larger.
What are some examples of pony walls?
Examples of pony walls include short walls built to carry floor joists in areas where a foundation steps down, non-structural walls built as room dividers, walls that serve as guards on stairs or balconies, and walls that support overhanging countertops. The short walls that rafters sometimes bear on in a Cape-style house are another structural ...
Why do you need to anchor a pony wall?
Because the wall itself acts as a lever when someone pushes on the top, a pony wall must be stoutly anchored. This is easy when the pony wall meets a perpendicular wall. Nailing or screwing the last stud in the pony wall to studs or blocking in the intersecting wall braces that end well.
Why do you need to bolt pony walls to concrete?
This is to help prevent the building from shifting in earthquakes or very high winds.
Where should studs be laid on a pony wall?
If the pony wall is one that extends up from a foundation wall, its studs should be laid out to fall below where the floor joists above will be. The studs in attic knee walls should fall below the rafters. This makes it easier to run wiring or plumbing and creates what’s called a continuous load path. That means each framing member, such as ...
How often do you need a receptacle for a pony wall?
Also, the same electrical codes apply to pony walls as to full height walls, so receptacles are usually required at least every 12 feet and within 6 feet of any opening in the pony wall.
How high should a guard rail be on a balcony?
Most jurisdictions also require them to be at least 36 inches above the nosing of the stairs or the finished floor of the balcony.
What is a pony wall?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. A pony wall is a short wall. In different circumstances, it may refer to: a half wall that only extends partway from floor to ceiling, without supporting anything. a stem wall, a concrete wall that extends from the foundation slab to the cripple wall or floor joists. a cripple wall, a framed wall that extends ...
What is a cripple wall?
a cripple wall, a framed wall that extends from the stem wall or foundation slab to the floor joists. a knee wall, which extends from the floor to a countertop, rafter, or handrail. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Pony wall.
Pony wall storage Ideas
A pony or half wall is a low wall. One that isn’t built all the way from the floor to the ceiling. Pony walls are often used to divide space within a room without closing off all the views and light.
Half wall Ideas for Bedhead
It’s also common to see them used as additional storage spaces. When cubicles, shelves, and drawers are added to a half wall divider, that helps to make the divided space that much more functional.
What is the function of a pony wall?
In cases in which the pony wall extends nearly all the way to the ceiling, its function is to serve as a dividing wall while still allowing light to enter over the top of the wall.
What is a non structural wall?
Non-Structural Walls. Any short wall that functions in a non-structural manner is commonly called a knee wall. Knee walls may support counters or bars, and a half-height knee wall that borders a stairway and follows the slope of the stairs can function as a stair rail. As is the case with other types of short walls, ...
What is the knee wall in an attic?
An attic knee wall is a short wall that extends from the floor of an attic room to the roof rafters. The knee wall forms the wall of the attic room, and it also creates an enclosed space under the eaves behind the wall.
What is a half height knee wall?
A half-height knee wall or pony wall can function as a stair rail. The terms knee wall and pony wall are commonly used as if they were synonymous, and both terms are often used to refer to the same types of wall structures. However, some types of walls, such as pony walls that rest on a building's foundation or an attic knee wall, ...
Do multistory buildings have pony walls?
Technically, the first-floor walls of a multi-story building are typically pony walls, and single-story buildings often do not have pony walls since their floor joists rest directly on the sill plate. Advertisement.
Is a knee wall shorter than a full height wall?
Unlike other kinds of knee walls, this kind of wall extends all the way to the rafters, but because of the slope of the roof, it is shorter than a full-height wall. Evan Gillespie grew up working in his family's hardware and home-improvement business and is an experienced gardener.
Can pony walls be called knee walls?
However, some types of walls, such as pony walls that rest on a building's foundation or an attic knee wall, cannot be properly referred to by both names. Advertisement.
