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Planning Your Basement Wall Framing

Step 1 -Planning Your Basement Wall Framing

When planning your basement wall framing it is important to remember that a repurposed basement which is well thought out ensures that you can avoid repairs, upgrades and possible future costly changes. So to begin the planning process you will want to choose the features you will want in your basement remodel.

You can Search through home improvement magazines, I encourage you to start following HGTV programming which is where I have found some of my best design ideas. Do lots of web investigation after all that is how you found this information. During this process and while planning your basement wall framing, begin drawing a couple of basic sketches to aid you in visualizing your suggestions or needs about space, measurements, and placement of windows, shower, cabinets, etc.

If you are remodeling an existing finished basement, rather than beginning your construction from scratch, use the existing placement of utilities, doors, and bearing or support walls in creating your drawings.

Step 2 – Plan Your Basement Framing

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While planning for your basement wall framing project, make sure you take a close look at all wall and floor surface areas so you have a plan to address any moisture concerns before closing off the surface. This will help you avoid future headaches.

Next, if your basement wall framing will include changing any existing supporting wall structures or opening spaces then I strongly encourage you to enlist the help of a qualified structural expert. This is one critical phase of any residential project that should not be left up to an inexperienced person. Once you have cleared these hurdles and you have your plan in place the last thing to be done before framing begins is to do any plumbing repairs or installations in the concrete floor prior to beginning the wall framing process.

Step 3 – Framing Plates

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When planning your basement wall framing it is important to remember that framing a basement can be different than framing other areas in your house. Anytime you are framing to a concrete floor it is important to use a pressure treated bottom plate against the concrete. I prefer to work with the products like Micro-Pro treated wood rather than any ACQ treated product. The ACQ products require special corrosion resistant fasteners where the Micro-Pro does not. You can read much more on the different types of pressure treated wood in my Decks and Patios section.

To read more on the actual framing process you can Click Here and read about the process as well as watch a video on the framing process.

Step four – Framing for Windows

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In most cases the process for framing a window in a basement area will vary some from other areas in your home. Typically you are working with an existing concrete wall and will need to first cut a new opening in this wall. I cover this process again with video in my section on Egress Windows. Once you have a window opening and possible the window in place in the concrete wall it is just a matter of framing around the space with your new wood wall.

When planning your basement wall framing take into consideration how you will finish this opening, will you return the drywall from the wall surface back to the window? Maybe you will cut panels of plywood to match the distance from edge of window to face of drywall and then apply an edge band to its surface and finish with an interior casing trim.

Step 5 – Basement Wall Partitions

While you are planning your basement wall framing project you will find that framing for partition walls in your basement will be done in the same basic way as the exterior walls. Partitions separating bathrooms, utility areas, and storage can simply be installed, employing the exact same wall framing approaches as with other areas of your home. You will find it easier to build your walls if you begin by building them about ½ inch shorter than your floor to ceiling height while having them laid down on the floor. Then lift the wall into place with the treated plate down place shims as needed to be able to secure the top plate to the floor joist above. You can anchor the bottom plate by attaching it approximately every four feet with an approved masonry anchor like Tap-Con brand masonry screws or Ramset masonry nails. It goes without saying that it is very important to plumb and level all walls and openings prior to final attachment.

In the process of planning your basement wall framing be sure and read my sections on proper wiring, plumbing, insulating, and drywalling to round out this project.

BOB SCHMIDT SHOWS YOU HOW TO ACCURATELY FRAME FOR AN INTERIOR DOOR SHOWING YOU HOW TO MEASURE A DOOR AND Permit FOR Appropriate CLEARANCE Although FRAMING ALSO HOW TO DEAL WITH AN UNLEVEL FLOOR. Video Rating: 4 / 5