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Finishing Your Basement Walls with Furring
Shims
How
to Attach Furring Shims to Concrete Basement Foundation Walls
By Mark J.
Donovan
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Are you thinking about finishing your basement? Many
homeowners tackle their own finished basement projects. Finishing a basement
is one of the least expensive ways to add finished living space to your
home. One of the key components in remodeling a basement is finishing your
basement foundation walls. When finishing your basement walls you have two
choices; you can either frame 2x4 walls adjacent to the concrete foundations
or you can attach furring strips to the concrete foundation walls. From
there you can then insulate between the wall studs or furring strips and
attach drywall to the wall studs or furring shims / furring strips. |
Attaching furring strips to concrete foundation walls is
easier and cheaper than framing 2x4 walls adjacent to the basement
foundation. I would however use 2x4s for the furring shims / strips
rather than 1x3s. This way there is enough depth in between the furring
strips to install rigid foam insulation. In addition, it allows low
profile electrical outlets to be attached to the furring strips.
The furring shims should be vertically placed on 16 inch centers along
the length of the basement foundation walls.
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It is important that the furring
strips are plumb so make sure you use a level when marking the location of
each furring strip on the wall. The furring strips should be affixed to the
foundation walls with a combination of concrete nails and “Liquid Nails” or
some other type of construction adhesive.
To attach a furring shim to the
foundation wall cut it to length and then hold it in position along the
marks you made on the wall for it. While holding the furring strip in
position, drill pilot holes through the furring strip and into the concrete
wall. Note that the 2x4 should be attached to the wall on its flat side.
Drill 3 to 4 pilot holes along the length of the furring strip.
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Next, apply a bead of construction adhesive to the back side of the furring
shim and then reposition it into place on the wall. While holding the
furring strip in place, hammer in a concrete nail into the top pilot hole in
the furring strip. Note that it’s important that the pilot hole in the
furring strip line up with the corresponding pilot hole in the foundation
wall. Once the first nail is securely fastened, hammer in the remaining
nails along the length of the furring strip. Repeat this process for
attaching all of the furring strips to the wall. |
Once the furring strips have been attached cut and install rigid foam
insulation in-between the furring strip bays. If you’re installing wiring
and electrical outlets, install them prior to installing the foam
insulation.
Next staple a sheet of polyethylene plastic over the furring strips and
insulation to form a vapor barrier.
With the polyethylene plastic attached your ready for fastening drywall to
your newly framed basement foundation walls.
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