How To Frame A Basement

The biggest project you can do in your home is to frame a basement for extra living space. A finished basement is something that will not only add extra space to your home but can boost your home's value by thousands of dollars.

As families grow and people want to expand their homes for a home office or a home gym, they are looking at their basement. Most people will add a finished basement  to their home because it is cheaper than a full addition and it is easier to do. To frame a basement you need to follow a few steps and learn some basic framing techniques.

Step One - Seal Foundation Walls and Measure Room

Basements are commonly damp. Being underground they are much cooler than the home above, and often contain a certain amount of moisture in the air. To cut down on this, apply cement sealer to the walls and floor of the basement. Once the sealant has dried, then you can begin marking out the lines for your room. Measure the length of one wall and mark the floor at the desired measurement. Do the same on the adjoining wall and connect with a chalk line. Measure diagonally to make sure the room is square.

Step Two - Lay the Bottom Plate

Start at a side wall and lay out the bottom plate of your frame. Use 2x4 lumber and secure it to the floor with masonry screws. Determine where your door will go and then cut it out of the bottom plate.

Step Three - Install the Top Plate

Cut out the top plate to match the lengths of the bottom. Hang a plumb line from the top to the bottom plate and line them up. Secure the 2x4's to the top plate and nail into the floor joists.

Step Four - Frame in Room

Using more 2x4's, frame in the part of the room that is not on a concrete wall. Use basic framing principles and place studs on 16-inch centers. Attach by toe-nailing the nails into the bottom and top plates. Frame door with a top sill at the correct height. You do not need a header board because this will not be a load-bearing wall.

To frame in the walls along the concrete foundation, attach 1x4's to the wall. Install these with the usual 16-inch on center placement. Attach lumber to the top and bottom plates. When you get to any foundation windows, frame them with 1x4's so you can finish them later with the wall covering.

Step Five - Install Foam Insulation

To complete the framing of the basement, install foam insulation boards to the concrete walls. Cut them to the correct width and length with a utility knife and a straight edge. Apply to the wall with construction adhesive.