Tips for Finishing Basement Walls

Install Furring Strips

• Furring strips, also known as base plates, are the pieces of framing lumber that prevent your drywall from resting against the bare concrete of a basement's cinder block walls. Installing these strips first is key to preventing damage to the drywall, says the website Waterproofing.org. The larger the strips are the more air can circulate between the finished wall and the concrete, allowing moisture to evaporate. However, the larger the framing lumber is, the less space will be available in the finished room.

Vapor Barrier

• The cinder block walls most basements are constructed from let moisture seep through slowly. While you may think your basement's walls are dry because you don't see any water, almost all basement walls are at least slightly damp. Installing a vapor barrier between the concrete and the wood framing beams of the finished wall will prevent damage, according to the Home Construction & Improvement website. You can use specially designed plastic sheeting, as well as water resistant foam board or foam sprays that double as insulation.

Steel Framing

• Wood lumber is susceptible to damage from the high moisture levels commonly found in basements, so many builders choose to use steel framing instead, according to the This Old House website. Unlike the heavy steel beams required for constructing a new house or garage, you can use lightweight steel framing because the existing cinder block walls are already providing enough structural support. Steel framing beams are difficult to cut on the work site and are much more expensive than wood.

Protective Bottom Plates

• When the drywall sheets or wall framing lumber in your basement comes in contact with the concrete floor, it wicks moisture up into the materials. This leads to rot and the development of mold over time. The Family Handyman website recommends installing a pressure-treated base plate because the pressure treated lumber will prevent moisture transfer. If your basement floor is finished before you frame and finish the walls, you may be able to use untreated lumber at the base of the walls if they will rest on the flooring mat