How to Frame In Basement Columns

Many basements have metal poles as support columns for the floor joists located above them. If you're finishing the basement, leaving the pole unfinished can distract from the overall look of your job. A little extra attention paid to framing the basement columns yields a more attractive result.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 1-by-6-inch boards
• Circular saw
• Sandpaper
• 6d finishing nails
• Hammer
• Nail set
• Wood filler
• Paint or stain

Instructions

1. Measure the height of the pole. Cut a 1-by-6-inch board equal to the height of the pole plus 2 inches. Sand the cut edges of the board. Place the board parallel with the pole, and nail the top overlap to the ceiling joist the column is supporting.

2. Cut three boards to match the height of the pole. Sand the cut edges smooth.

3. Place the boards onto the first board to form a square around a column. Nail the boards to each other with 6d finishing nails. Drive in a nail every 8 inches along the length of the boards.

4. Countersink the finishing nails with a nail set. Fill the holes with wood filler. Sand the wood filler when it's dry. Paint or stain the column frame, if desired.

References

• Complete Basements; Stanley Complete