Q:
I want to finish the basement of a home I recently purchased. The first floor is built with I-joists, and I’m wondering if I can attach the top plates of the new basement walls to the flanges of the joists. Will that compromise the strength of the I-joists?
Tony Hill, Middletown, DE
A:
Editorial adviser Mike Guertin replies: yes, you can secure the new framing to joists without weakening them. Carefully drive the nails near the middle of the flange; nailing too close to the edge could split it. To further reduce the chance of splitting, use smaller diameter nails (0.131 in. or less), driving no more than two nails into each joist.
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View Comments
Try 25 gauge 3 5/8" steel studs in all your basement projects ... Top track anchored to the joists . bottom track anchored with 1 1/4" nail in anchors ... Wood studs at corners and around door and window openings ....... Ive done about 45 basements with this method ........... I actually also slat the ceilings with 24"o.c or 16"o.c. 1x4s perpendicular to the joists with creates a quick and easier way to attach steel stud tracks to the ceilings areas that run with the joists .... DMR In Indiana