How to Finish a Basement Wall
Fasten the Bottom Plate
- Put construction adhesive on the floor.
- Tip the wall into place and fasten with concrete nails or screws.
- Space fasteners every 6 feet and within 6 inches of each end.
Step 9
Plumb the Wall and Secure the Top Plate
- Plumb the wall about every 4 feet.
- Pro tip: You need shims only about every third joist, but nail the top plate to every joist.
Step 10
Build In Place When Necessary
If your floor is horribly out of level or if you’re framing around a window, it may be best to “stick frame,” nailing one stud at a time instead of building the wall on the floor.
Start by fastening your bottom plate, and then use a straight stud and a level to plumb up to find the location for your top plate. After you snap a line and fasten your top plate, plumb up again and mark the location of your first stud on both plates. Mark the rest of the stud locations on the plates using those marks. Toenail each stud into place with two nails on one side of the stud and one on the other.
