basement framing

2/22/2011 at 11:04:53 AM

Hi George. To answer your questions, you can certainly frame your walls one piece at a time if your wish. This won't affect the structure one bit, it is just much easier and faster to build complete walls on the ground and then install them. As for your bottom plates, I highly recommend using pressure treated wood. The PT lumber will resist rotting more than simply having a sill gasket down. If you do wish to use regular lumber for you bottom plates, then be sure to put a foam sill gasket or at the very least a strip of vapor barrier on the bottom.

2/24/2011 at 3:53:24 PM

When framing a basement, it is important to use leading building practises to manage mositure and mould. Simply using PT lumber as a base plate directly on concrete is a recipe for mould growth. In fact because PT is so wet, studies have shown that most PT lumber already has mould growth on it. No matter which lumber you use you should use a sill gasket as a base. I would avoid 6 mill plastic. It is likely your floor is not level and the gasket helps fill is the dips. Another factor is that you have to use special screws and nails when fastening PT lumber. So when you add it all up:

-so if you should use a gasket no matter which species is used, yet the PT lumber cost more and the fastening material cost more, why would you use it. Plus case must be exercised in managing the cutting and disposal of PT lumber, cut offs and dust. It just does not add up.

There are also other best practices that should be utilized when framing a basement wall.

Kingsway Construction Inc.

Glenn Rosborough

2/25/2011 at 8:51:50 AM

Hi George- what I have been doing for years is use 3-5/8" steel runners (for steel stud framing). Just lay out your walls with chalk lines, put the gasket under the steel, and fasten to the floor. Plumb to apply the top plate, then stand 2x4 wood into the frame and fasten. Bacause basement floors are so uneven, this method is much faster. Every couple of studs you can check your height. The track is galvanised, so no rust or rot worries, plus you have the strength of wood. Easier for running electrical/plumbing/media through. If bringing anything through the top plates, use a high speed steel bit or hole saw and appropriate sized grommet to protect the wire or pipe. I use 7/8" bit for grommets- this allows 14/2 wire & 1/2" copper to pass thru easily. Good luck.

3/5/2011 at 1:22:25 AM

... Be careful! U can not cut PT lumber indoors! Very Poisonous! Even when cutting

out side, position yourself down wind. Wear protective mask!

Like Glen said, because of moisture (chemicals) level, price, mold growth, etc,

It is just Not Intended to be used for indoors.

3/27/2011 at 8:34:07 AM

its ok to build your walls in place stud by stud, in fact its easier to do it that way if the sizes greatly vary from one end to the other. what you want to do is lay down foam gasket then you lay down your black sill plate poly, then put down your bottom plate and build your wall up from there. Once your wall has been build and insulated you fold the black poly up the wall and tuck tape it to your 6 mil vapour barrier. Now you have continuos vapour barrier and your bottom plate is protected from any moisture.

3/30/2011 at 3:16:11 AM

Hi George,

All of the answers I have read are correct in the way they are described, but I have one other option I am not sure you have investigated.

Have you thought of a subfloor?

They make subfloors in easy to install panels(DRIcore) that keep the bottom plates off of the floor. The panels are 1/2" plywood laminated to a plastic dimpled base. Everything is built on top of them, so no moisture ever makes contact with the wood. You eliminate using the PT wood, which I consider dangerous to use indoors anyways, and you also give yourself the piece of mind that your flooring will be protected against moisture.

Bill Clawsie

Clawsie Contracting