How to Build Around a Basement Support Pole

Support poles in a basement are used to hold up the floor joists and ultimately, the entire home. Because of this, it is crucial not to move these poles as it can cause severe damage and compromise the structural integrity of the home. Some contractors incorporate the poles into the design of a finished basement by creating a decorative niche or column. An easy way to hide structural poles is to build an enclosure. This can be a complicated job if you do not have carpentry skills, as it requires precise measurements and cuts.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw
• Hammer
• 16d nails, (three inch)
• Plumb bob
• 4- to-6-foot level
• 2-by-4 studs
• Pressure-treated 2-by-4
• Tape measure
• Safety glasses

Instructions

1. Determine the size and shape of the enclosure you would like around your support pole. Remember that the pole is supporting a beam that will also need to be incorporated into the design.

2. Mark the outside of the walls on the bottom of your joists with a pencil to indicate the location of the enclosure.

3. Measure the length of the enclosure and use a circular saw to cut two 2-by-4s to this measurement. These will be used as the top plates on each side of the the beam.

4. Hold the top plates on the inside of the pencil marks on joists and attach with a hammer and nails. Install two nails on each end of the 2-by-4 and into the joist.

5. Measure from the edge of top plate to the floor. Cut a 2-by-4 to this measurement.

6. Abut the edge of 2-by-4 to one end of the top plate. Hold a level next to the 2-by-4 and slowly move the end of the board on the floor until it is level.

7. Mark the floor on the inside edge of the 2-by-4 using a pencil.

8. Repeat the leveling steps until marks for all four corners of the top plates are transferred to the floor.

9. Cut two 2-by-4s the same length as the top plates cut in step 3 and use them as the bottom plates of the wall. These will need to be cut from pressure-treated material.

10. Attach the bottom plates to the floor using a hammer and 3-inch concrete nails. Hold the plates flush with the pencil marks and attach two nails on each end.

11. Measure the distance between the top and bottom plates at each of the four corners around the post. Cut two studs for each corner.

12. Nail the two corner studs together to form a right angle. Space the nails on the studs 16 inches apart at the outside edge of the angle.

13. Nail the corner studs into place, flush with the outside of the top and bottom plates. Attach nails at a 45-degree angle

14. Finish the walls with drywall or an appropriate fire-retardant material.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses when cutting and nailing.