Framing question

dtmbizzle

Hello all, i am a long time lurker, and now first time poster. I am beginning a partial basement finish , my first LARGE project, and will more than likely have 1,000,000 questions. Here is my first;

For framing a partition wall that is 16 feet in length, what is the best way to form the top and base plates? My ceiling is 9 feet tall, so i just bought a load of 10 foot 2*4s. Should i just build 1 frame 10ft wide and 1 6ft wide, and have them meet in the middle of the wall, or is it better to go buy LONG 2*4's for the top and base plates?

Hope this isn't too dumb of a question!!!

AtlanticWBConst.

Not a dumb question.
Top and bottom plates should be longer stock 2x4's. Go back to the store and get some 2x4x16's. Use PT for the bottom plate. Then build a continuous wall.

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crecore

To save yourself a trip you can also make a double top plate with shorter ones. stagger the joints a minimum of 8' with 16" o.c. framing.

Longtooth

Building the wall could be done by attaching the top plate first, overlap the top doubler plate and attach to top plate. Drop a plumb line and attach PT bottom plate to the concrete floor. Frame up door, stand up each stud in place and block and nail each one. You could also use metal studs if it is just a curtain wall.
Then

dtmbizzle

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think im going to just go get some longer 2bys for the top n bottom plates.

I probably should've mentioned these will be floating walls, since code here in CO requires it. So the Pressure treated 2bys will go into the concrete, and then i was going to build the frames on the ground, then stand them up, nail them into the joists, and then stick them into the Pressure treated 2bys with i think it's 60D nails (after drilling pilot holes)

Does this sound right? thnx again to all who respond.