Finishing Basement Walls
Finishing a basement is a great way to add a useable room to your home without the high costs of adding an addition. There are a few steps to follow when finishing basement walls. Usually basement walls are made out of concrete. So you will need to purchase furring strips. These are thin pieces of wood that are drilled into the concrete basement wall. Then the drywall is attached to these thing pieces.
Before you begin, measure your basement and decide how much materials you will need. You will use approx one sheet of drywall and four furring strips for every 4 feet of wall you are finishing. Start by drilling the furring strips into the wall about 16 in apart from each other. Leave a ½ in on the bottom of the strip to protect against water or moisture. Ensure you use a masonry drill bit and hardened concrete screws to attach the furring strips.
Once the strips are firmly attached, you will need to insulate the wall to ensure minimal heat is lost. This can be done by purchasing insulation and a vapor barrier. To install the insulation, cut the sheets to fit in between the furring strips. Then just press into the space; finish up by installing the vapor barrier. The vapor barrier provides protection against moisture, which can sometimes be a problem in basements. To install the vapor barrier, simply staple the sheet to the furring strips. By careful to use as few staples as possible to hold it in place. The more staples that you use, the less efficient the barrier is.
Next take the drywall and cut it to match up with the furring strips. Do not forget to leave the ½ in on the bottom of the drywall sheet. To cut the drywall simply use a utility knife to cut through the paper then snap the sheet back for a clean break. Then use the knife to cut off the back paper at the line. Next, screw the drywall into the furring strips using drywall screws.
After the drywall is hung, you will need to apply a drywall compound to the cracks to give a smooth finished look. Simply apply the compound with a putty knife to the cracks between each sheet and overtop the drywall screws. Then apply drywall tape over the cracks and finish up with another layer of compound. Allow the compound to dry for 24-48 hours. Then sand any ridges smooth. Finishing basement walls can be quick and easy.