Tuesday 20 September 2011

Tips On Framing Basement Walls

By Casey Torren


Compared to framing the standard walls of a regular bedroom in your home, framing basement walls entail a more complex procedure. With basement walls, not only will you have to handle the additional pressure that will be applied to these walls, but you also have to make a foundation that will be able to resist moisture and other conditions. But familiarizing yourself with the process of framing the walls of your basement can assure that your home is strong and solid as well as safe from intrusion.

No matter the size of your basement, there are still a lot of things you can do to improve its look and functionality. First, however, you have to ascertain that your basement is completely waterproofed. You must be certain that there is no water traveling into your basement through the walls and floors.

With the perimeter or exterior walls, you can either build to encourage warmth and extra comfort or just build them as walls to make your basement more attractive. Framing basement walls to give warmth and comfort is an ideal way if you want to utilize the space in the basement as part of your living area.

If you want the basement pace to be warm and comfortable, you will have to utilize 2 x 4 wooded studs for your framing around the exterior walls. This will let you employ insulation between the studs to encourage the warmth needed between the inside wall and the outside foundation.

The interior walls will also be made of wooden 2 x 4 studs, but generally do not call for insulation between the studs. If you want extra protection from noise, employing insulation to the inner walls can assist in deadening sound. When you take the time to frame basement walls the right way you will have a more efficient basement space to add comfort and value to your home.

To stick build walls, attach a top plate perpendicular to the floor joists. Attach a bottom plate to the concrete floor utilizing concrete nails and a bonding agent. Ascertain you utilize pressure treated lumber on the bottom plate. Make sure the top and bottom plates are parallel to each other. Finally, employ 2 x 4 studs every 16 along the plates.

Furthermore, soffits may have to be constructed if ductwork has to be boxed in or if wanting to install interior lighting. Soffits are not structural and therefore can be framed utilizing 2 x 2s. Almost like any wall framing, utilize two parallel 2 x 2 plates and combine them utilizing vertical stud members. Attach a 2 x 2 top plate to the floor joists and then stick nail in a 2 x 2 stud on both end of the top plate. Nail the bottom plate to the 2 studs to produce the basic wall.

Then, your final step is to employ on 16 centers, 2 x 2 studs along the whole length of plates. You may have to construct the same framing structure on the other side of the ductwork. Once you have finished the second soffit wall all you have to do now is employ 2 x 2 cross member stud pieces between the 2 soffit wall sections. As the soffit is being stick constructed, gauge every stud before cutting.

Framing basement walls as a project may be challenging but it is an easy project to learn. They can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.




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