BasementGear

Frame a Basement

How to Frame Basement [Step by Step Guideline]

Finishing your basement is a vital investment-worthy your hardly earned money to think about. The project both adds value to a house and creates an extra livable room for adults and kids to hang out.

The project is started by having in mind your favorable design, inspection is done and acquiring all relevant permits for the project. All repairs and waterproofing concerns are all taken care of. First-timers might get challenged doing the project on their own. It’s, therefore, advisable to get help from professionals to have it done the perfect way possible.

Tools Necessary for the Project

Like any other project that is deemed to show up excellent results, gathering necessary tools prior is the best thing to think about. Proper framing is essential, and it should be considered as the foundation of your entire basement renovation. All essential tools for the project should be at hand and, more importantly, a clear guide about how they are safely used. Below are tools to gather for the project;

  • Measuring Tape
  • Power saw
  • Air compressor
  • Framing squire
  • Drill
  • Nail gun
  • Metal or wood studs
  • Laser level
  • Hammer
  • Safety glasses
  • Sill gasket
  • Plumb bob
  • Dust mask
  • Carpenter pencils

The framing process

It’s a general duty to frame both the ceilings and walls. However, you won’t be complete by only these; the project should extend to the doors, windows, and all other electrical fixtures in the house, the soffits and partition walls at large.

Below is a step to step guide to get you started;

Designing the basement floor plan

First, ensure your floor plan will work before starting the project. This helps to see how everything will result before spending money and time for something that won’t produce better results. For this reason, applying for a construction permit is worth it since the inspector will answer any questions before a plan is covered in the sheetrock.

Next on stage is acquiring a plan for the entire project. Most building departments out there allow all plans that were drafted to scale. You will also receive a copy of a simple plan from taking home and drawing your plan from it. In case it turns difficult for you, get the help of a drafter or an architect to provide you something better.

Carry out material take-off routine

Bulk buying on what you will use during the project helps to get the best pricing ever. Don’t order the exact quantity of the requirements; think of an extra count of different lumber your order.

Place an order for plate material and wall studs. To get an estimate of studs you require, add up the walls lineal feet and place an order for every foot measured. Next are the plates you will use for the project. Find an estimated count you need by figuring out the entire walls lineal feet, divide the result by 16′ and round up your resultant figure.

Installation of blocking in joists

There is a need for builders to install blocking between joists when a basement wall passes parallel to ensure top plates are firmly attached. The project should be done before moving to the next step as it will help in framing and laying out the walls.

Layout locations of the basement wall

First, complete with the perimeter walls before you get into the interior walls.  Use the level walk around constructed perimeter walls to see how down or straight up they appear. In case you find them out of plumb, there is a need for compensation in the perimeter wall compensation. Do this by getting the wall farther into a room to avoid it appearing crooked.

Use a pencil and tape measure to mark the floor the locations of the perimeter wall. This should be done from each end of every wall. Depending on your concrete wall pumbness, do this at 4 to 4 1/2″ from the wall. Snap lines straight on the floor using the chalk line to guide you when building the walls. Drawn lines need to be transferred to the ceiling and the blocks above and at the bottom of joists.

Layout doors and windows

Draw a plumb line directly in line with the outside of your frame of the window using the level. The drawn line will represent the front side of stud and drywall holding it. In case the opening is farther back than 1/4″, do your framing task just behind it. Doing this in concrete windows can be challenging; for this reason, do it by gluing OSB to concrete using the building adhesive.

Layout interior walls

According to the plan used, followed by locating the interior walls. Use the exact measurements used in the plan and measure it from the existing bearing walls and the perimeter lines. Indicate the wall lines clearly by marking them using the chalk line. Maintaining straight walls in mind all through would require you to mark each wall on both sides to maintain locations.

Use the length of the perimeter walls to cut your top and bottom plates. Stand the cut plates on their appropriate edges and place focus on them downwards. You will find either a bow or crown on most boards, place them upwards on the boards. The boards should then be placed closer or next to one another and always ensure the ends remain flushed to each other. Complete the step by placing the plates where the wall will stand and finally layout your door, window, and the rest of studs.

Installation of the plates

Place your treated plate on the floor line and ensure the stud locations face the room to see them when framing the wall easily. Using a hammer drill, glue the bottom plate tight to the floor. From one end, install an 8″ anchor along the plate followed by another one at 32″ O.C.

For easy installation of the upper plate, get the straightest 2x4x16 and cut it to get an attachment to the floor’s joist. At the side of the bottom plate, place the cut 2×4; let it plumb by holding the level at the edge. Do this in all ends and mark a straight line using chalk between the marks. With your marks facing the room, raise the top plate to match with the bottom plate. Always ensure the marks on the bottom plates are directly above and glue the plate to the joist.

Framing around windows

After installation of the top and bottom plates, start by framing around windows. Install the framing using the marks previously transferred from windows to the plates. This need be done orderly by starting with the kind studs, followed by the trimmers, the header, and lastly, the sill and cripples.

Installing wall studs and around obstructions

You are almost done. Now you should cut and install studs starting with those at the wall ends followed for the doors and windows, and lastly, the rest of the studs you need them installed. Complete your framing project by working on all obstructions.

Conclusion

This is a step to step guide used by both DIYers and professionals to accomplish this project. Framing the basement is a worthy investment as it offers a great advantage to a home you own.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.