How to close off basement ceiling joist cavities?

carpdad · 02-09-2013, 08:29 PM

One easy way is to use 1/4" luan. Easy to cut and paint. You can even hot glue it and some behind as a support. Definitely use sheetrock edge channel.
Since it's a playroom, I would install protected lights, not a bare bulb, and in the joist cavity.

**Gary in WA** · 02-10-2013, 12:15 AM

No exposed; paper-faced insulation, foam board, ceiling joists (painted or not), need an egress window/door, electrical/finish room in basement permit, air supply to gas appliances -furnace, HW Tank, etc. Need to finish the drywall per code for fire safety, at least the joints/fasteners. Check with your local Fire Marshall/AHJ.

Gary

CarpenterSFO · 02-10-2013, 02:59 AM

Attach wooden cleats or furring as sheetrock nailers to the joists. Use screws, or I'd just use liquid nails or the like, holding in place with masking tape until the glue dries. Screw sheetrock to the nailers. Caulk around the edges.This assumes you don't care about the appearance on the other side.

**Gary in WA** · 02-10-2013, 11:14 PM

You cannot leave the wood framing exposed in case of fire. The joist cavities need covering by any of these choices: http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/ic...9_7_sec002.htm

Because the joists are light-frame construction, they require covering, notice that beams/girders are heavy frame construction, and last longer in a fire (bottom of page); http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/ic...?bu2=undefined

Notice the ceiling height requirements in the last link, that is to the finished ceiling:

"CEILING HEIGHT. The clear vertical distance from the finished floor to the finished ceiling." from; http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/ic...9_2_sec002.htm

To add drywall between the joists would not be fire-safe or code acceptable leaving any of the joist exposed to the room. http://www.awc.org/pdf/WDF19-2_White.pdf Heavy timber joists are different because they have a much longer burn time for family/firemen to evacuate people before the ceiling/floor falls in. I hope you have the required egress window/door required for minimum light/ventilation/egress code requires for habitable space in a basement. Work with your local AHJ on this as it is life-threatening otherwise.

Gary

letzjam11 · 02-11-2013, 01:05 PM

Gary,

What do you suggest for closing off the joists from the rest of the basement? I'd rather know how to do it than how not to do it. I've got everything covered except how to close off the joists from the rest of the basement.

Are any of the suggestions that other users provided acceptable? Would blocking suffice? Would blocking plus sheetrock be the way to go? Could I install 2x2's vertically on each side of the joist to install sheetrock on top of?

Thanks,
Jason

**Gary in WA** · 02-11-2013, 06:44 PM

I suggest working with your local Building Department. Get a permit for finishing a partial basement, you will meet minimum fire/safety code then, and satisfy your HO Insurance carrier if ever a claim. It sounds as if you are trying to finish it inexpensively, which is fine, but don't short-cut the safety aspect, IMO.

Gary
PS. OR is there already an egress window/door down there, air supply to the gas appliances (as said already), proper egress path up the stairs, walls insulated/drywall, proper floor surface, smoke alarm, proper electrical, etc.