Can I Nail Basement Walls Right to Floor Joists?

Draw up a plan for the basement walls you want to hang. If a wall will run perpendicular to the floor joists above, the frame can be nailed directly into the joists. If the wall will run parallel to the floor joists, nail blocking boards every 3 feet between the joists. The blocking should be 2 by 4 inch boards cut to fit between the joists to create an "H". The bottoms of the blocking boards should be flush with the bottoms of the joists.

Position the wall frame in place and use the level to ensure it is level and straight. Hammer 16d nails through the top plate, or top horizontal board of the wall frame, into the floor joist or blocking boards above. Nail the wall in place every 3 feet.

Apply construction adhesive between the bottom plate, or bottom horizontal board of the wall frame, and the concrete floor. Drive nails through the bottom plate into the concrete every 3 feet using the powder-actuated nailer to anchor the wall in place.

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for each remaining wall that needs to be hung.