How to Frame a Cinder Block Wall With Metal Studs

Cinder blocks are commonly used in residential home basement construction. If you want to finish the basement, you'll need to add a frame wall to the interior of the cinder block wall to make space for insulation and wiring and to provide a surface for connecting drywall or paneling. The frame wall can be made from wood, but metal frame wall construction is becoming increasingly common.

Tape measure
Tin snips
Wood screws
Masonry screws
Screwdriver
Sheet metal screws

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the wall along which you'll be installing the metal studs. Transfer the measurements to the top and bottom mounting channels for the stud wall. Cut the top and bottom channels to size with tin snips.
- 2
  Screw the metal channels to the floor at intervals of 16 inches. Use wood screws on wooden subfloors and masonry screws on concrete floors. Attach the top channel to the ceiling joists directly above the floor channel, using wood screws to attach the channel to the joists.
- 3
  Measure the distance between the top and bottom channels. Transfer the measurements to the vertical metal studs and cut them to size with tin snips. Place the vertical studs into the channels starting at one end and spacing them 16 inches apart. Place the last stud at the end of the channels, even if the distance is less than 16 inches.
- 4
  Screw the vertical studs to the sides of the top and bottom channels with self-tapping sheet metal screws.

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