DIY How to Frame Your Basement A to Z

Tips For Diyer's. How To Frame Doors, frame under beams and ductwork, back framing for drywall and other tricks.

When it comes time to frame a wall or frame a door or build a bulkhead, many people have different ideas on how to get it done. In this video I share my systems for building that any homeowner can follow in order to get a great result and make it easier to finish the basement when you are done. We show step by step how to measure and build an interior wall. The value of using a laser level to keep things plumb. tools and techniques to attach the walls to the ceiling and concrete floor. Tricks for installing a wall under a beam , and lastly a bulkhead system that makes it possible to frame around all your duct work and plumbing with ease all by yourself that saves time and money and gets a great result.

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Opening and Closing themes by:
Anthony Jarrett

Opening Intro Graphic:
Rahul Rallan

Produced by: Home Renovision DIY 2020
Video & Editing Services Provided by:
Subdivision Film LTD.

Disclaimer:
Videos produced by Home Renovision are provided for informational purposes only. All material provided within this website is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. The DIY instructions used here are used to simply breakdown projects to their simplest steps. Please use a clear mind and use all safety precautions while following the tutorials provided by this site. Home Renovision does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Viewers must be aware by doing projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and Home Renovision cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. With different codes around the world and constantly changing standards, regulations and rules, it is the sole responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves on their local requirements before undertaking any sort of project. That being said Home Renovision cannot claim liability with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. Be safe, have fun renovating and ALWAYS stay informed with your local building code.

[HomeRenoVisionDIY]

happy to share framing tips and how to build bulkheads in this video. Cheers

[biff]

You should have a pro-tv show to be honest. Your stuff is amazing.

[janizary-]

I watched this video like a movie. It's pretty long one, the guy knows what he's doing. So I grabbed a couple bottles and peanuts, sat on a coach and watched it. Thanks Jeff.

[vividblack]

I watch your videos not because I’m actually going to do any of this work, but to be educated when I hire carpenters/construction guys. Thank you for being such an awesome teacher!

[anthonyfusco]

This is probably one of the best "how to frame a basement" clip I've seen. I'm not a professional, just a simple homeowner and seeing this clip with its easy to follow steps and Jeff's crystal clear explanations gave me the confidence to tackle a project like this.

[Bigbacon]

finally moving into a house with an unfinished basement and I can't wait to do this. Been wanting to finish a space like this for years. Been watching your channel forever and now I can finally put a lot of your instruction to use!

[StuffUCanMake]

Sir you outdid yourself this time. You really gave a step-by-step approach on tackling a project like this. You are really a master teacher.

[TheDanielHayes]

C'mon...this guy is awesome. I love his videos and learn something every...single...time.

[kamranayub]

Just a note for anyone else researching like I am. These nails Jeff is using in the nailer are Tomahawk 3 1/4" collated clipped head nails. However, their diameter is only 0.120, based on what I can find. In Minnesota, in order to do end-nailing as shown in the video, you must use 0.162" diameter framing nails and they have to be 3 1/2" long. Basically impossible to find for a nail gun. Instead, what I have found is 3x0.131" collated clipped head framing nails but MN requires 3 of them instead of only 2 when end-nailing. These are easier to buy at home centers and they are in most common degrees. MN allows some other combinations of length/diameter fasteners too but 0.131" is common in the code for framing it seems to work in majority of cases.

As always, a reminder to make sure to check your building codes for specifics on what fasteners are allowed when framing and don't just go with what people are doing in the videos.

[playful]

Hey man, I just wanted you to know that I just finished up a project today, and your videos were really helpful with giving me the idea. Had a cabinet in the garage that was separating from it's back on one end because it was bent around an exposed gas line on the other. Wound up taking it off the wall and fixed the separated back with screws and wood glue. While that dried, I got some 2x4s and screwed them to the studs as verts/spacers, with a long 2x4 'header'. Got the cabinets screwed to the spacers and it's nice and secure now, the doors actually close now, and it doesn't look like it's about to fall off the wall! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

[marvelpovs]

Bless you Jeff! I’m trying to redo my basement and none of the men in my family know what the hell to do or they make it super complicated. So I’ve taken it upon myself a small 22yr old woman, to do it by myself. And this video helped so much! I have the meta beams and that’s what had my stumped and anchoring the wood to the concrete

[jesswyatt]

You are a million times better and more entertaining to watch than Bob Vila! I learn so many little tricks from your videos, I am amazed at your knowledge base and experience with so many different types of work. The little extra pearls of wisdom are extremely important and tells me that you really have experience doing that particular project, thank you.

[bwjbrown]

I randomly watched this video and was hooked 30 seconds in - lots of great information shared at a quick cadence and a good sense of humor. I really appreciate the pride Jeff puts into a well constructed project for the long run - not just throwing up some dimensional lumber, very good understanding of the characteristics of the material he's using and thinking ahead for all the trades that depend on a thoughtful framer to set them up for success.

[JustinRinehart]

watching that "perfectly cut" stud slide in was surprisingly satisfying! It's kind of like finally taking that center bite on a buttered piece of toast. Of course, now all my cuts will be measured against this video which will no doubt result in frustration, self-deprecation, and depression....so, thanks for that.

[tjem]

You should make a comment about floating walls when framing the walls too. Some states require floating walls (i.e. Colorado) that require a couple inches between the bottom plate of the framed wall and a second bottom plate on the concrete. This is due to heaving in the slab that often happens in CO basements.

Thanks for all your instructional videos though! Super helpful and I've learned a lot. Looking forward to finishing my basement myself in a couple years!

[puppet]

Jeff - this video has a ton of really useful information. Thank you! I'm about to build soffits for a kitchen remodel and will definitely use your system for creating the box instead of the "ladder" approach that I was going to do.
Also, it's really impressive how quickly you can do the math in your head adding the fractions for multiple pieces of a joint where pieces meet. But... when I listen to you, I'm always trying to imagine what parts the measurements represent and by the time I can form a mental picture you are two sentences beyond me. This would be a great place for Max to insert graphics showing the dimensions of the pieces you are attaching to each other. W + X + Y + Z equals 5 3/8 and I can see what you're saying as you're saying it!
Thanks for all the great work you do - Cheers!

[AbuArabz]

I just can't stop watching your videos, tips and tricks in each one man..
Thanks for big effort Jeff

[chrisj]

One of the better videos for renos I have seen. Lots of small little nuggets in this. I dont ussually build, working as a fire fighter am ussually tearing stuff out, mostly in newer construction. If everybody built like this, it would be alot more work for me!! Some of the sad, shortcut framming I see is unreal. Nothing like trying to do some overhaul (post fire removal of walls and materials to remove and prevent regrowth of a fire before we leave) and pretty much pulling entire wall down when trying to simply pull a few studs!!!. Quality builds matter.

Great insight!!! I am bookmarking this (and many of your other vids) for a comming DIY basement reno for my home theater.

Keep the content coming!!! One of the most valuable channels out there as a DIYer to get some insight.

I grew up in Ottawa, now live in the US. Its funny to hear all the small references to my old home town!!!. Oh.. and metric vs imperial.... head against wall... can we as a world just pick one lol.

[ChevyDude]

Great video. I’m about to frame a small part of my unfinished piece to make a podcast studio. This helps me a ton!!!

[nickc]

Pro-Tip last segment on bulkheads. Cut your drywall time in half by replacing plywood with 5/8ths drywall on outside bulkhead.
Pro-Commercial Steel Tip, use 1 1/4 inch light gauge utility angle to reduce weight and improve straight edge in place of 2x2s prefabricate on floor as shown, install as shown 8' at a time with 5/8ths drywall. steel soffit ready for mud/bead 10 mins or less.