Soffit Framing Made EASY || E7 Finishing a Basement

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

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[@inspiringbuilds]

Nice work Travis, I agree with you as I prefer 2x2’s as well. 👍 I usually use OSB as well and screw the drywall directly into it.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

I considered that, but at this point in the game, I usually have 2x4's laying around, but I almost never have OSB. I also don't have a truck, so putting 2x4's in my car is way easier than sheet goods. Haha.

[@inspiringbuilds]

@@HowIDoThingsDIY Understood, definitely more than one way to get it done and it’s nice and sturdy.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@inspiringbuilds Once the drywall is up, nobody will care how you did it, right?

[@inspiringbuilds]

@@HowIDoThingsDIY Correct, as long as it’s done right and either way works. 👍 How many square feet are you working on finishing?

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@@inspiringbuilds This is the final room. I've already finished about 1500 sq/ft

[@lindamuszynski8828]

Fantastic video, very helpful 😊

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Glad you think so!

[@thomaskaszuba]

Nice work! I did something similar in my basement. Except instead of lining up the horizontals with the studs I just made a frame, run a chalk like and nail it at the chalk like. A lot less lining things up and monkeying around that way.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Ya, I've done it that way as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@MarkRoderick-ow2he]

My question in the with of my soffit is 62.50 between the sides and are planning on laying the 2x4 studs flat on the bottom is this structurally sound?

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Yes, that's fine. It allows you to get closer to the ductwork. Plus, soffits shouldn't be structural. They just need to hold drywall and electrical. In fact, as you can see in my video, I only used half of the 2x4 to save wood.

[@Trainman0401]

Nice job….Is there a code that states you must leave a certain amount of space between the wood and your duct work?

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

There is no required distance from the ductwork I could find in the WI building code. Inspectors have never cared if the ducts were touching in some places. That being said, I try to leave an 1" of clearance, mostly to avoid noises from the duct rubbing as it expands and contracts with changes in temperature.

[@GhostRider-hp3te]

Certain services running through the house requires a 50mm or 2” space but nothing specific about the duct work.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@GhostRider-hp3te Thanks for adding that.

[@GhostRider-hp3te]

@@HowIDoThingsDIY thank you for the video dude. Me being a JM carpenter myself mostly industrial and commercial concrete in AB. I used your video to totally frame my air ducts in my basement. 🤙🏻

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@@GhostRider-hp3te Awesome! Thanks for the comment.

[@dojesenpai6957]

i want to install a door under a soffit but i only have 83" from the floor up to the soffit can i just put a 2X4 for my header?

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Check your local building code, but that might be ok if it's not load bearing. The issue is that if you're that close to the soffit you won't have room for the full casing trim. It might be better to just cut down the door and jamb.

[@dojesenpai6957]

@@HowIDoThingsDIY its just a door for my washroom at the basement.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

​@@dojesenpai6957I always follow the building code. If it says I single 2x4 header is fine, then do that. If not, cut the door and jamb down. Building code is king. You don't want someone finding work that doesn't follow code if you ever sell the home.

[@Azpy]

How come you dont insulate around the duct work?

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

That's an interesting idea. I never do that, but it could, potentially, improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.

[@Azpy]

@@HowIDoThingsDIY I'm just afraid of the duct work sweating and trapping the moisture in the drywall.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@@Azpy I can understand that. Lucky, I have not had that issue with any of my ductwork. It might be because the temperature difference between the air in the ducts and my basement is not that great.

[@WackyPossum]

As a novice DIYer how do I attempt this without it ending up looking like doodoo

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Once you've watched the entire video, do you still have a specific question I can answer for you? I want to help, but I'm not sure how to answer this other than the video.

[@WackyPossum]

Thanks for the reply. I am planning to just drywall the ceiling of my basement at first and see how it looks with some recessed lights set up. Do you think that’ll be feasible without framing walls? I am undecided on finishing the whole basement and might just leave it with a finished ceiling to cover up the insulation.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

@WackyPossum If it were me, I would just put walls up so you could run electrical in them as well so you have more outlets and a place to put the light switch.

[@daveaware]

I swear everyone I see on KZbin is in Canada. Pretty cool and creepy to find someone else in Menomonee Falls!

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

That's awesome!! I never see others on YT in my area either. I found some on IG, but no good collabs have came come from it.

[@funnyharleyman]

I use metal studs and runners, you build as you go.

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

That's another great option.

[@Ifishmo]

need fire blocking

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Thanks for the comment