I would like to build a desk and attach it to my wall like so:
I have a countertop surface that's about 6' long by 2' deep. It's pretty heavy. I would like to support it by mounting a 2×4 horizontally across the wall, and rest/mount the back edge of the countertop to that 2×4. I would also make some triangular supports, possibly out of 2×4's or plywood, and at the bottom of those supports have a second 2×4 mounted to the wall like the one at the top. Structurally, I'm sure the countertop and supports will be strong enough.
What I am concerned about is the amount of weight pulling out on the wall. We're going to have our kids at this desk for school, so they'll probably be leaning on it, sitting on it, and otherwise abusing the desk as you do as a kid.
How much weight can a standard wall support before it yanks the studs or starts bowing the wall out? 500lbs? 1000? I'm assuming that the further away from the wall this desk reaches the more twisting force it's going to put on the wall, but I'm not entirely sure.
I can't butt the desk up against the wall to the left, and there's no wall on the right.
Will a regular 2×4 wall support this kind of weight, or do I need some type of foot for it?
Best Answer
From this LINK
The 2x4 wall can handle around 1000 pounds vertically. But you put the limit to the test meaning you are probably breaking the wall before reaching 1000 pounds.
Use a joint or two, a stud wall helps, or doubling the layer could help, anything to reinforce the wall if the main concerns are the wall breaking out because abused by children.
And this question can be found in the discussion here : DIYchatroom.com