How to Install Basement Walls

Cut the top and bottom plates for the each wall to be built. The top and bottom plates must be cut to a length equaling that of the desired wall length.

Set the top and bottom plates face-to-face and mark out the placement of each vertical stud. Beginning from the left and working your way right, measure every 18 inches and mark the center for each stud.

Determine how many studs are needed for each wall. Cut the studs to length. The vertical studs must be 3 inches shorter than the overall height of the wall.

Nail each of the studs in place using framing nails nailed through the top and bottom plates to the vertical stud ends.

Stand the rough stud wall up in place. Level the wall in all directions and make sure it is squarely placed in respect to adjacent walls and ceilings. A framing square can aid in this effort, but using the Pythagorean theorem provides for a larger, more accurate squaring area; remember, the square of one side of a right triangle plus the square of the other equals the square to the hypotenuse or the 45 degree angle side.

Attach the wall to the floor joists above by nailing through the top plate. Attach the wall to the floor by nailing through the bottom plate with a powder-actuated nail gun.