What specifically can I use to attach a wood frame to concrete walls for drywalling purposes?
Question:Attempting to hang drywall to concrete in a basement closet.
Answers:
The frame work itself is made from firring strips spaced 16" apart (measured from the middle of one strip to the middle of the next). First put strips horizontally along the floor, and then along the ceiling, all the way around the room. Then put frames around any window and door openings, and any electrical outlets. Then mount strips vertically on the wall, so the ends butt up against the edges of the strips at floor and ceiling. At every corner, the thin edge of one strip should rest against the flat side of the strip on the return side of the corner. Firring strips are usually about 2" wide by an inch thick. The idea is to establish a surface you can nail into -just like nailing into the edges of a standard 2 X 4.
Use construction adhesive usch as "Liquid Nails" to attach strips to the concrete or block wall. This goopy stuff will hold them in place on it's own, but you might want to use cement screws or nails to make them more secure. You can also rent a nail gun which uses a .22 shell to literally shoot nails through the wood and into the concrete. Other wise, you can use "Tapcons" which are screws that go into drilled holes. If the concrete is tough stuff, use a "hammer drill" (you can rent one) with the proper size masonry drill bit. The tapcan box tells you what size that should be. Tapcons may have a collar on the head, which means the thickness of the head will extend out beyond the surface of the strip -so countersink around your drill hole so the screw head is flush with the strip. You can drill right through the strip and into the concrete. Its OK to drill a hole a bit longer than the screw -but not shorter, or the tapcon will just stop at the bottom of the hole. Tapcons have very sharp threads that cut into the concrete to get a grip. Personally, I'd go with concrete nails first to see if they'll sink into the concrete OK. You must nail them in through the the wood -nailing directly into concrete will not work; in fact, the nail can fly back out into your face if you try this.
As an alternative, consider using 2 X 3's, which are a sort of down-sized 2 X 4. Use liquid nails to secure them flat around the floor, wide side up. At the ceiling, there usually are wood beams to which you may nail the 2 X 3's. You may need to nail in short peice to bridge gaps between the exposed floor trusses. Now you've got a nailing surface top and bottom. Run 2 X 3 studs vertically (16" apart) between the top and bottom plates. Cut them a little bit "fat" so you have to whack 'em with a hammer to force them to fit. This will wedge the bottom plate flat to the floor so that it does not need to be nailed or screwed into the concrete. The vertical studs can be nailed or screwed into the plates -no worries about penetrating concrete. Same rules apply for framing in the windows, door, outlets, etc.
Good luck!
Tapcons. Can be found at any home improvement joint.
http://www.confast.com/products/tapcon-c...
use 3/4 x 3 and glue and screw the wood to the wall with concrete srews call tapcons or cut nails. the apply the drywall
2x4's laid flat against the concrete wall at "16 centers. Construction glue, and anchor screws. You can also buy a hammer gun that shoots steel bolts into the concret to fasten the studs to.
It can depend on where and how much you are framing. If a larger space (walk in closet) with joists overhead, cut the wood length to fit snug against the floor wood and the piece overhead. The floor and overhead 2x3s (for example) should be secured, holding the upright pieces. Consider using course "drywall" screws (3-4" long) for your stud work. Better and stronger than nails and can easily be unscrewed if a change is desired. Get an electric drill, and a 3 or 4" bit holder. It makes the work easy.
Having said all that, your closet may only need 1/2 x 2" wood strips. They are cheap. Concrete nails can be pounded in with brut force. I prefer predrilling the nail holes (a bit smaller than the nail diameter). Use a concrete drill bit and IMPACT drill. A regular drill will not work. Good Luck
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