Basement Framing Question

lpcon

I am in the process of renovating my basement. So far the floor has been dug out and the foundations have been underpinned in order to lower the floor. Next step is to do the framing and drywalling. The underpinning is about 4" wider than the block wall and I am trying to maximised the living space once the area is finished. To minimize the space lost by the underpinning I am looking at "notching" the 2 x 4 framing to minimize space lost. Is this worth the effort - see attached picture.

Thanks

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concretemasonry

It looks like a lot of work for a little space and a shakey wall.

I hope you had drain tile put in when you did the underpinning. A little late, but something to keep in mind when you get to finishing.

Also, use a pressure treated plate of the floor AND the appropriate nails then attaching the studs to the plate. P.T. can eat nails.

lpcon

Hi

Yes it looks a bit shakey! Regarding weeping tile, yes waterproof membrane is being installed as well as weeping tile. I will be using pressure treated lumber on the floor. I had not thought about the type of nails though - thanks for the heads up!

J187

I too feel like the work/risk/reward factor is not favorable. It just seems like so little space.

BTW - thats a pretty accurate drawing of the lumber I see at my local Home Depot... :D

lpcon

Agreed, it just bugs me to loose space when so much time / money is spent to increase space by lowering the floor! I will probably just notch the 2 x 4's in the bathroom area where space is a little tight.

Regarding you point about straightness of 2 x 4's, I cant tell you how much time I have spent sifting through the piles of lumber at HD to find pieces that are straight and /or not damaged!

Thanks for the input.

NateHanson

How about putting your plate on top of the underpinning? Have it overhang the widest part of the foundation by 3/4", then fasten a 1x2 PT strip at the bottom of the foundation, and run your drywall down the entire wall, screwing it at the bottom to the 1x2 strapping. You'll have a stable wall, and you'll gain even more space than the painstaking coping of all those studs.

lpcon

hmmm, sounds like a good idea, I must check how level the top of the underpinning, but that should work. thanks

robertcdf

Hot dipped galvanized nails are the minimum recomended for PT wood. Stainless steel is the best to use.

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