The Best Way to Stud a Block Wall

Cut the tip of a tube of construction adhesive (masonry type) and squeeze several lines of adhesive onto the concrete block wall where the first sheet of vapor barrier will be placed.

Staple the top of the sheet of vapor barrier to the ceiling joist that runs on the top of the block wall. Unroll or unfold the vapor barrier and use the box knife to cut it to fit the wall with an extra 3 inches of overlap onto the floor. Smooth the vapor barrier against the wall, pressing it into the construction adhesive as well.

Place the next sheet of vapor barrier so its edge overlaps the one against the wall by 2 inches. Staple and glue the sheet to the wall. Seal the edges using vapor barrier tape. Continue placing and sealing the vapor barrier until the entire block wall is covered.

Measure and cut one 2-by-4 to run along the bottom of the wall. Apply a line of construction adhesive onto the floor 2 inches from the wall along its entire length. Place the cut 2-by-4 with the narrow edge against the wall and the wide face on the floor. Shoot a nail through the board and into the floor using a powder-actuated nail gun every 3 feet to secure the board in place.

Measure in 8 inches from the end of the wall and mark the board fixed to the floor. Mark the rest of the boards every 16 inches from the starting mark at 8 inches.

Count the number of marks on the board and add 2 to the total. This is the total number of studs needed for the wall plus an extra stud for each end of the board. Measure from the top of the board fixed to the floor up to where the ceiling joist meets the wall. Add 3 inches to that measurement and the total is the height each stud will be. Cut the number of studs needed to the correct height from the supply of 2-by-4s.

Stand one board at a time on its end so it is centered on the mark on the board fixed to the floor and the narrow edge is pressed against the concrete block. Hold a level to the board to make sure it is straight. Make a few guide marks on the vapor barrier to mark where the edge of the board must be to be straight, and remove the level.

Hold the board so the narrow edge is pressed firmly against the block wall and the board is lined up on the guide marks. Place the tip of the nail in the nail gun in the middle of the wide face of the board and then angle the gun so it will shoot the nail through the board and into the wall at a 45-degree angle. Shoot several nails through the board and into the wall at different heights to secure it in place. Repeat this with each stud board to complete creating a stud wall that is attached to the block wall.