What is the proper framing technique for drywalling my concrete-walled/floored basement

Question

I'm going to add walls/ceiling to my basement, and I want to do it right. The floors and walls (up to about 5 feet) are concrete, with ordinary joists across the ceiling. My assumption would be to lay 2x4's along the base of the walls and nail them down, then fasten the studs to that at the bottom, and to the joists at the top, leaving 15" between studs for insulation.

Am I on the right track?

Answer 1

Yes -- but it's not as easy as just throwing up some walls.  First off, you MUST get a bulding permit and have your work inspected.  Unpermitted work can void your homeowners insurance, and when the unpermitted work is discovered (during a home sale, typically), at the least, you'll have to pull a permit and tear open walls for your work to be inspected - more likely, you'll be ordered to tear it out because it significantly fails to meet code.  If you're planning a bedroom, it must have an emergency egress in it.  And what about moisture control - is your basement *completely* dry?

I don't mean to disuade you - a basement buildout is very much a DIY'able project.  But don't just go down there and start pounding nails - you've got to do your homework first.  Get yourself a good book on remodeling.  At the least, you'll be dealing with (or hiring out) framing, drywall, and electrical.  On top of basic construction practices, your AHJ will likey have requirements specific to doing a finished basement in your area (e.g. in an area with frost-heaving?  the walls have to built in a special way to accomdate movement of the basement floor)

Here's a good guideline on the things your building department is going to want to see in your plan- http://www.huerfano.us/uploads/basement2...

Contact your local building department - while some are real jerks and do everything they can to shut down DIY'ers, most are helpful.  Bottom line is they want your project to be done safely and to code.

Answer 2

Yes you are ..I would go buy or rent a ramset or a hilte gun that uses small 22 caliber like powdered shells to drive the nails into the baseboard and concrete..You will never hand drive these on good cured concrete and have a "tight" nailing...16 inces on center is the best..start from one corner then measure from the center of the first stud and set the next with the center 16 inches away...

Answer 3

the spacing is 16 inches center to center,,usuually.

Is the basement dry???

you dont have to use 2x4s---2x3s are cheaper. You dont have to put concrete nails thru the concrete floor,,,u can glue them down with Liquid Nail Exterior grade and just let it set for a day

     the way i would do it is use 2x3s and make the wall  frame on the floor then swing it up right and glue the bottom on the floor and using shims put a few nails along the top.Quicker, easier,faster.