How to Frame a Column in a Basement

Cut one side of the column's top and bottom plate to length with a circular saw. Measure the height between the floor and the ceiling with a tape measure, and subtract 3 inches from this measurement to determine the thickness of the top and bottom plate. Cut two studs to length with a circular saw.

Spread the top and bottom plates apart so that you can slide the two cut studs in between them. Flush one stud to the end of the top and bottom plate. Hammer 16d nails through the plates directly into the ends of the studs to construct one end of the framed column wall. Place the other stud on the opposite side of the plates, and hammer 16d nails through them.

Measure the span between the two studs, and cut a stiffener block. Measure up half the wall height, and slip the block between the two studs. Hammer a pair of 16d nails through the outer face of each stud directly into the stiffener block to secure it into place. Construct a second column wall with the same measurements as the first.

Swing the first column wall up, and situate it so that the bottom plate is at the location where you'll attach it to the floor. Shoot a nail through the bottom plate to the floor using a powder-actuated nail gun. Stagger the second nail at the opposite end of the bottom plate. Swing the second column wall up so that it is opposite the first wall, and nail it in the same manner.

Place a level vertical on the column studs to make sure they're plum. Nail directly through the top plates if they have contact with the ceiling joist. Measure and cut blocking to be placed between the ceiling joist if the top plates do not have anything to nail into. Slip the blocks between the ceiling joist so that they rest directly on the top plate of the column walls. Secure the blocks to the joist using 16d nails. Nail through the top plate into the joist blocking to secure the upper portion of the column walls.

Measure the space between the pair of matching column walls with a tape measure. Cut and construct two more column walls in the same manner as the first. Slip each column wall between the installed walls on each side. Flush up the corners and hammer 16d nails through the stud faces and into the secured column walls. Repeat this process on each corner to tie in all four column walls.

Secure the bottom of the two remaining column walls to the floor using the powder-actuated nail gun. Repeat the joist blocking, if necessary, at the top to secure the top plates.