Working around ductwork and other obstacles can be a challenge when you frame a wall! Carefully measure around the duct and build the frame of your wall, then tip it into place. Use the 3-4-5 method to square the corners and you'll be on your way to a finished basement!

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Finishing the 1st wall

The next weekend's task was to finish the first wall. This time I had to navigate the main duct, and I also had to frame a door (to the storage area). I snapped a chalk line from the corner of the previous section to the basement wall using the 3-4-5 method to get a 90 degree corner. Again I decided to build the wall on the floor and than raise it into place.

Here's how the finished wall will (hopefully) look.

After carefully measuring the distance to the duct and to the main support beam running across the basement I cut four short studs for that area, plus a long one (part of the section that extended past the end of the duct. After nailing it all together I stood it up and slid it over- a perfect fit! (Well, pretty close anyway!)

We'll be installing a 36" right-hand door into the room. Leaving space for the frame and an extra ½ for leveling, I needed a 38" x 82" rough opening for the door. I was able to build it pretty easily by following the instructions in The Complete Guide to Finishing Walls & Ceilings.

God, I hope I did that right… I guess I'll find out when I try to hang the door! At any rate, the roughing in of the first wall is now complete!