How to Frame in a Cement Basement

Clear exercise equipment, furniture and toys stored in the basement out of the way. This may seem like a big job if your basement is cluttered, but the effort will create a clean and spacious area where you can work.

Measure the length of the first wall you're planning to frame. Cut two 2-by-4s to the length of the wall.

Lay the two 2-by-4s on edge on the basement floor, together with their lengths aligned. Stretch a measuring tape along their length and mark off 16-inch increments in pencil. These are your top and bottom plates.

Measure the height of the basement from the floor to the underside of the ceiling joists. Subtract 3 inches. Count the number of marks on your bottom plate and cut that number of studs to this length.

Spread the top and bottom plates apart on the floor and lay the studs between them. The studs should be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the top and bottom plates.

Line up the studs with the marks on the top and bottom plates. Secure the plates to the ends of the studs by driving 3-inch-long screws through the outer faces of the plates and into the ends of the studs.

Stand the wall up and put it in position against the cement wall. Attach the top plate to the underside of the ceiling joists by driving 3-inch screws through the top plate and into the ceiling joists. Attach the bottom plate to the cement floor by drilling pilot holes through the plate and into the floor. Drive concrete screws into the holes until they're tight.

Repeat Steps 1 through 7 with the remaining walls of the basement.