Planning to finish basement. Went to Home Depot to get prices and compare materials.
Planning on using metal studs, 2 1/2" on concrete perimeter walls and 3 1/2" for the partitions. When looking at the foam insulation, noticed they had 2" thick by 24" wide insulation, and on the label it stated it was for the basement. They didn't have 16" pre cut foam.
Is it alright to have 24" on center studs for non load bearing perimeter walls?
If so, I also noticed they had both 25 and 20 gauge steel, is it necessary to use 20 guage steel now that the sheet rock will only be supported by 3 beams?
And should I use 5/8" rock instead of 1/2" sheetrock?

Is there a formula for the spacing, metal guage, and sheetrock thickness?

 

16" OC and 1/2" sheet rock. If your area allows 24" oc you'll have to use 5/8". I would go with the 16" oc.

 

I would reccomend using the 20 gauge studs. Its better for screwing . I can't stand drywalling with 25 gauge, the screws strip out to easy. Plus you can frame 2ft on centers with 20 gauge and the wall will be solid with 1/2 or 5/8 drywall.

 

Check into the steel crimper at HD.....It works as it should on teh thicker gauge and not great on the thinner.