Buzz
The cost of housing has skyrocketed—rents are astronomically high nationwide, and mortgage rates have surged by 4.6% in just the past year. It’s no wonder that an increasing number of adults are opting for shared living arrangements to make housing more affordable. A roommate can transform an apartment that forces you to choose between paying rent or buying groceries into a budget-friendly home.
However, roommates aren’t without their challenges—particularly if you’ve grown accustomed to living alone and believed your days of sharing space and dividing expenses were behind you. It’s manageable to take on a roommate when you have a spare bedroom, but it’s a different story when you’re in a studio or one-bedroom apartment and need someone to help cover the rent. While there are many simple and cost-effective methods to create a second private area in your home, most either lack true privacy or involve renovations that landlords are unlikely to approve.
So, how can you add a wall to your apartment without risking your lease or security deposit? The solution is to install a pressurized wall.
Under Pressure
What exactly is a pressurized wall? It’s a standalone partition that relies on tension to stay in place. These walls are non-structural and not permanently fixed, yet they mimic the appearance of real walls in every visible aspect. They can be designed with doors or windows and even include soundproofing to boost privacy. Typically, these walls are custom-ordered from a specialized company, allowing them to be tailored to match your apartment’s decor and style, ensuring they integrate seamlessly. The best part? They can be entirely removed when you move out, leaving no evidence behind.
The expense of installing a pressurized wall in your apartment varies based on the wall’s size and the features you choose. Generally, prices range from $800 to $2,000, though larger or more elaborate walls can cost significantly more. However, if you split the cost with roommates, it becomes a budget-friendly option, as it can effectively divide a large bedroom into two separate spaces that look polished and natural.
Legal Considerations and Drawbacks
Unfortunately, you can’t simply purchase a pressurized wall online and install it at will. Since these walls alter the apartment’s layout, you must adhere to specific guidelines during installation:
Obtain Approval. Your first step is to consult your landlord, as they may or may not permit pressurized walls in the building. Some properties have clear policies regarding these walls, so if you’re searching for an affordable apartment, consider studios or one-bedrooms in buildings that explicitly allow them. Otherwise, securing permission is essential.
Permits. You may also need to secure a permit from the Department of Buildings or a similar authority that handles occupancy certificates. Many areas treat pressurized walls like permanent structures, meaning their installation is subject to the same regulations as major renovations.
Comply with Regulations. Local laws govern bedroom dimensions, ventilation, window access, and fire escape routes. When adding a pressurized wall to create a new bedroom, you must adhere to these rules, regardless of whether a permit is required. The company providing the wall can assist with planning, but you might need to engage an architect or contractor if additional expertise is necessary.
Durability. Since these walls aren’t load-bearing, they may not support heavy items like bookshelves. Consult the manufacturer about weight limits before attaching anything to the wall.
Many companies that produce these walls offer leasing options, allowing you to avoid an outright purchase if you’re renting. This is advantageous because you can return the wall when you move, but long-term leasing might cost more than buying the wall outright if you stay in the apartment for an extended period.
Pressurized walls aren’t a universal solution, but if feasible, they can add functional, private spaces to your apartment with a polished appearance and no damage to the property. It’s a far better option than trying to persuade potential roommates that a walk-in closet qualifies as a second bedroom.
