Adding a basement wall next to staircase

2438 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Nealtw, Apr 14, 2020

kelenz

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2020

I want to build a wall in a finished basement, and trying to decide whether to build it in place, or build and raise it. I'd prefer to build in place as I'm concerned I'll scratch up the floor and/or ceiling going with the latter option. My issue is the wall I want to build will be up against a staircase (about 3.5" space) and if I frame in place not sure how I can add the drywall (or alternative) afterwards. What's the best way to go about this?

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chandler48

· #2 · Apr 13, 2020

Pictures always help us see what you see. I am envisioning a staircase. Why can't you just add to the staircase framing on each end and continue your wall? Here again, I don't know what you have. Building in place in a basement is almost mandatory because of the differences, albeit small, in the sizes of your joists above.

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Old Thomas

· #3 · Apr 13, 2020

In a basement I cut blocks of 2x4 treated wood and attach them to the floor on the wall line. Then I build the wall flat on the floor 1 3/4” short. Then there is room to stand it up and lift it on top of the blocks. Shim the top or bottom and nail it in place. If you have access you can slide wallboard between the stairs and wall if you chose to leave a space.

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Nealtw

· #4 · Apr 13, 2020

Add 1x4 to the side of the stringer, flush with the bottom of the stringer and then build the wall. That allows you to slide the drywall in.

Add a 2x4 instead if you also want to slip a trim board in.

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kelenz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 13, 2020

OK I added pictures to my album

Old Thomas I like that idea, thank you. Chandler and Neal, you all are suggesting I add the wall directly to the staircase. I like that approach too. I'll do some research on this way of doing it, but based on Neal's comment I'd add a base attached to the staircase and leave the railing in place. Let me know if I'm off on that.

Nealtw

· #6 · Apr 13, 2020

kelenz said:
OK I added pictures to my album

Old Thomas I like that idea, thank you. Chandler and Neal, you all are suggesting I add the wall directly to the staircase. I like that approach too. I'll do some research on this way of doing it, but based on Neal's comment I'd add a base attached to the staircase and leave the railing in place. Let me know if I'm off on that.

Does the railing run into the end of a wall at the landing Or?

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kelenz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 13, 2020

Nealtw said:
Does the railing run into the end of a wall at the landing Or?

Yes, I just added another picture showing how the railing attaches

Nealtw

· #8 · Apr 13, 2020

kelenz said:
Yes, I just added another picture showing how the railing attaches

Can you get under that staircase and see how it was built.

And a picture of it. I would like to see the top of the studs.

kelenz

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 14, 2020

Nealtw said:
Can you get under that staircase and see how it was built.

And a picture of it. I would like to see the top of the studs.

Just checked and the crawl space under the stairs is drywall'd over. Not much to see there. Anything else I can check?

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Nealtw

· #10 · Apr 14, 2020

kelenz said:
Just checked and the crawl space under the stairs is drywall'd over. Not much to see there. Anything else I can check?

There are a couple ways those stairs are built and yours is not one of them.
Usually you would want the wall to line up with the wall above. that would require the wall built on top of the stairs where the railing is.

What were you thinking, Just beside the stairs?

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kelenz

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 14, 2020

Nealtw said:
There are a couple ways those stairs are built and yours is not one of them.
Usually you would want the wall to line up with the wall above. that would require the wall built on top of the stairs where the railing is.

What were you thinking, Just beside the stairs?

I was thinking about building the wall up next to the stairs where that curtain is, up under the ceiling joist.

Nealtw

· #12 · Apr 14, 2020

kelenz said:
I was thinking about building the wall up next to the stairs where that curtain is, up under the ceiling joist.

How far does the nose of the tread stick out the side toward this new wall?

Do you know which way the ceiling joists go?

kelenz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 14, 2020

Nealtw said:
How far does the nose of the tread stick out the side toward this new wall?

Do you know which way the ceiling joists go?

Ceiling joists run parallel to the stairs. From what I can tell, the next closest joist would place my wall 2 to 2.5 inches from the edge of the tread.

Nealtw

· #14 · Apr 14, 2020

kelenz said:
Ceiling joists run parallel to the stairs. From what I can tell, the next closest joist would place my wall 2 to 2.5 inches from the edge of the tread.

:biggrin2: Joists are usually on lay out started at the outside of one side of the house or the other, so measuring from a wall inside the house is pure guess work.

About the treads?

Nealtw

· #15 · Apr 14, 2020

My first choice would be to remove the railings and posts, cut the treads flush with the trim below it and install a 1x4 and then build the wall.

Then when it is finished with drywall it would look just like the other side of the stairs.

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