Framing Basement Walls: How to Do It

Framing basement walls is a rather complicated task. There are several situations and problems that may complicate framing. Because of this, improvisation and stick building are the main ideas when undergoing wall framing in the basement. There are a lot of finished basement ideas out there and you just have to have enough time to research more on them. You might even think of more improvements on your basement such as a sump pump backup or French drain installation. Waterproofing a basement is also a good idea especially when this room is used frequently. Whatever your intentions and plans are, be sure to entertain also the cost to finish basement.


Framing Basement Walls

Framing Basement Walls: Perimeter Wall Framing

If you want to have a warm and cozy basement, perimeter basement walls must be framed with the use of 2 x 4 square inch construction, in the same way as with other walls. With the use of these studs on the basement walls, the insulation can then set up to create a warmer room. If you do not plan to keep the room warmer but you still need to install a drywall, then furring strips can be used to the walls instead. These strips are usually 2 x 2 square inch in area and are glued and nailed into the concrete basement walls.  The perimeter wall framing is the first step to framing basement walls.  Now onto internal wall framing.

Framing Basement Walls: Internal Wall Framing

Internal walls can just be created on the ground and then merely raised slightly higher in place. However, because of unavoidable differences in the heights of basement floor, the basement walls must be created a little shorter and then trimmed in place. If this isn’t done, it may become more difficult to raise the wall since there is a possibility that it will get wedged between the floor and the ceiling/floor beams. Moreover, if your house is built on clay soil, your basement floor can move up and down depending on the water content of the soil. If this is the case, when framing basement walls, you must use an L-shaped steel frame clips to glue to the walls and the first floor beams. The clips will allow the walls to move while giving the needed support to ensure that the walls remain upright.

When you are completing your internal wall framing and if you are thinking about securing your basement with an alarm system system, you should also consider doing the wiring at this point.  The same goes for electrical wiring and other types of connections (e.g. sound cables etc).

Framing Basement Walls: Stick Build Framing

In order to do this, you first have to bail a top plate at right angles to the floor beams. Then, have a bottom plate next to the concrete floor by utilizing concrete nails with a bonding agent like Liquid Nails. Be sure that you are using pressure-treated lumber on the bottom plate since it is attached to the concrete and is exposed to moisture most of the time. Make sure that the top and bottom plates are placed parallel to each other. You can use a plumb line to check if they really are parallel. Lastly, mount 2 x 4 square inch studs every 16 inches on the plates. Be sure that you take measurement to each stud before cutting since the floor-to-ceiling distances may somehow differ.

So as you can see framing basement walls is not as difficult as it first appears.  Find the best, most reliable contractors in the Chicagoland area or in your city!.

If you require more information, please visit the following sites that are authorities in this topic…