Basement Wall Framing: The Pitfalls

Basement wall framing is one of the most common ways to renovate a basement. Many people find framing their basement walls a means to give their basements a new look. The average cost to finish a basement wall frame is from $400 to $600. These figures already include both the material and labor cost. However, you must know that the exact cost of framing your basement walls would still depend on your location, the size of your basement, and if you will do it on your own or hire a contractor.

basement wall framingBasement Wall Framing: Issues to Consider

Basement wall framing for less would mean you have to do it yourself. But do you know how to frame a basement wall? If you have the knowledge, the tools, and the materials perhaps you might want to step back and consider the following basement wall framing issues before you proceed with finishing the basement yourself.

Before you do the actual framing of your basement walls, of course you have to start with cleaning your basement first. Declutter the whole area and make sure walls, ceilings, and floors are thoroughly cleaned. White mold in basement is one of the most common problems encountered when planning to do basement wall framing. Molds and mildew might have developed already in your old concrete walls and you have to get rid of those molds before you proceed with the installation of your new frames.

Aside from cleaning, another common problem in basement wall framing is heat runs which usually hang down from your old ceiling. Aside from heat runs, you might also be faced with heat ducts. In most cases people think that by just covering their heat runs and heat ducts they are already doing some sort of streamlined basement wall framing. Unfortunately, little did they know that most do-it-yourself basement wall enthusiasts often forget to leave room for return airs. This is one common pitfall of finishing a basement yourself especially when you lack of deep understanding of framing walls for basements.

One more thing you have to put into consideration when framing walls is the spacing for the studs. So-called “codes” are being used by professionals when framing bearing walls in basements. When framing your basement wall remember that you have to avoid messing up your bearing wall, which holds your entire home. In case you want to move that wall, add beam material to that wall, or simply put a header on it, consulting a professional engineer is a must to ensure that your new frames will still hold up the rest of your house.

Basement Wall Framing: The Tools

Another concern is the usage of the power tools. Basement wall framing would mean you have to use power saws and other electric equipment and you have to observe safety precaution on using those tools to avoid accidents. Aside from the equipment, as you continue on your basement wall framing project, you have to make sure that all newly framed walls are level, plum, and square. If you have also framed the wall near to a door and you fail to have that newly framed wall level and plum, your door may not close or open correctly.

Remember, you can save a lot of cost from labor wages when you choose to finish the basement yourself but hiring a professional to do your basement wall framing would save you more in the long run.

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

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basement insulation. office of building technology state and …