How to finish a basement?

Question

How do i attach studs and sheetrock into concrete?

Answer 1

Depending on how old the concrete is in your basement, you can us two methods ,us a hiltigun that shoots hardened pins into the concrete{in older crete I wouldn't use this method}, or another gun called ramset{cheaper and simpler to use}The pins or nails come in alot of different sizes and the shot used for these different sizes are color coded for penetration! The other method is too use a hammer drill and use a s***w too lock your wood to the concrete these screws are called tapcons and they too come in different sizes and thickness for the job intended! The wood  you can use  is up too you ! If you plan too insulate  then this changes the way the walls will be built depending on the type of insulation you plan too use! My sugestion is closed cell foam board  and 2x4 walls! Start with a 2x4 flat against the wall and the floor running the lenght of your room then up the wall too the celling jiosts lay another 2x4 and secure them with one of the two methods above then measure your distance between the two and start cutting studs! If you plan on insulating with fiberglass then you need to build your walls like any normal wall in a house and then slide the wall into place and secure by nialing to the jiosts above and shooting or drilling the base plate too the floor! This last method is the easiest way for old houses that the foundation isn't very straight or smooth and you can cover  the in perfections without your walls looking crooked but you lose sqft that way! If you don't plan too insulate you can get it done for alot cheaper by using 3\4 strapping  and running the strapping the length of the walls  all the way around the room using the hammer drill and tapcons  depending on how you want too run your sheetrock is how you run your strapping! Remeber too space all wood so that your joints on the sheetrock all have enough wood to nail too and you can also use liquid nail or construction adhesive behind the boards for extra bonding to the concrete if you choose! Vapor barrier is optional depending on your region! Also remember to leave room enough for wiring if you intend to have outlets in these walls and or plumbing! All these also determine the wood used too build the walls!Good luck and if you get stuck or need more help, just post it and I am sure there will be someone here to answer any questions you may have!!!

Answer 2

attach studs with tapcon concrete screws, powder-actuated shot nails, masonry nails.  sheetrock is attached to the studs, not the concrete.

consider standing the wall studs off the concrete 1/4"-1/2", attach top plates to ceiling joists, bottom plates to concrete floor: you don't have to attach the studs to the concrete.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

BUT WAIT.... before you do that you need a vapor barrior....... hang sheets of plastic around the area to be covered first, This helps prevent any mold or mildew from forming on the Drywall!!!!!! also you just can stud out the walls then , Just like when you fram a building!! all with 2x4's and put them 16" on center and pick them up and slide them up to the walls so you have nice straight walls!!! also for warmer basement insulate it as well!!!