FRAMING BASICS

Getting started Always put your studs 16 inches o.c. When framing walls for your basement it is always a good idea to use 2x4 lumber instead of 1x2 furring strips or 2x2s. The walls will be stronger and you will have greater insulation benefits.

Make sure you have the proper tools:

• Framing nail gun
• Skill or worm drive saw
• Level
• Hammer and tape measure
• Chalk line
• Always have proper safety equipment for your eyes and ears

• Douglas fur 2x4s, enough for 16 inches o.c everywhere you have a wall.
• 2x4 treated lumber in as long as lengths as your walls. Treated lumber is used for the bottom plate on the concrete floor
• Liquid nails glue
• 3 inch framing nails
• 2x4 Douglas fur top plates for walls (Long lengths or wall lengths)
• 2x2s and 7/16 osb (plywood) for framing your drops or fur downs where heat lines or plumbing pipes may be.
• shorter nails for framing your drops or 6 penny nails for your framing nailer.(for nailing the osb )

• When you begin with framing walls in a basement chalk a line 4 inc out from the foundation wall.
• Measure the length of your wall and cut the 2 plates the top and bottom treated plate.
• Make sure you have any lateral blocking or fire blocking in place so you can secure the wall to it.
• Measure and cut all studs for your wall and lay them out 16 o.c.
• Nail all your studs in place and stand the wall.
• Make sure you glue the bottom plate and secure it or nail to the concrete. Make sure the top of your wall is plumb and secure it as well.

• You should always have a king stud and a trimmer or 2 studs nailed together by a door opening for strength.
• Make sure you cut the trimmers 81 ½ INCHES TALL! Your rough opening from the floor should finish at 83 inches form floor to header.
• For the width of your door the rough framing should be 2 inches wider than the desired door size. (example A 30 inch door or 2'6 should be framed 32 inches wide and 83 tall from floor)
• Make sure you are plumb and level when you frame the door opening.

• Make sure you have any required fire stops where you are framing your ceiling down. You can usually use 7/16 osb along the side of your wall. You can use a 2x2 on top of the ceiling and along the wall. Make sure you chalk a line on the ceiling and along the wall. Make sure you will clear all the obstructions you will be framing around.
• When your 2x2s are in place, cut your plywood to the desired drop height and nail it to the 2x2.
• Now you nail a 2x2 to the bottom inside edge of your plywood. Make sure your drop is square and plumb. Now measure the 2x4 and cut them, nail them in place 24 inches apart.
• When nailing the 2x4s make sure the width (3 ½ inch side) of the 2x4 is facing down. Use caution when toe nailing (nailing from a side angle)
• With any project make sure you take the proper safety precautions to avoid injury.
• Always check with your local building inspector for current building codes in your area.