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Floating walls are designed to move slightly when the floor is expanding or contracting. This type of wall looks normal, but it is fitted with specialty plates that are located on the bottom of the frame. This allows for the movement to occur due to expansion or contraction.
Why do basements have floating walls?
Floating the basement walls allows the soil to expand without adversely affecting the home. This method, while effective, is not entirely fail-safe, and even if your basement walls are floated, the ground can still move enough to make small cracks appear in the drywall or in the floor tiles.
What nails to use for floating walls?
Because of this condition, the building code requires the basement walls to literally be hung from the first floor joists above. The bottom of the wall is anchored to a floor plate by extra large 60D nails. If the floor does heave or settle the wall will float or slide on the 60D nails.
How do you install baseboards on a floating wall?
On floating walls I install baseboards attached to the bottom plate only so that the upper wall can move. So I generally use 1/2″ plywood strips on the bottom plate to get the width the same as the wall above it with drywall. Then I use a taller baseboard to hide the movement gap and nail it mainly to the bottom plate.
Are Floating walls load bearing?
In all situations, the floating wall is never a load bearing wall. In order to allow for any expansion or contraction that may occur at the top of the bottom points where the wall is connected to the floor or ceiling, two horizontal plates are used in the construction of the floater wall.
Do all basement walls need to be floating?
If the foundation heaves, non-floating walls can push up on the floor joists and cause significant structural damage to the floors above and throughout the home. If bentonite is present, engineers will recommend floating basement walls and a pier-supported foundation.
How does a floating basement work?
The basic principle of the floating slab is that ground water and water that seeps through the foundation will be channeled to drain tiles (perforated pipes) beneath the perimeter of the basement floor. These pipes carry water to a crock and sump pump. It is common for some water to accumulate in the crock.
What do you call a wall that doesn’t reach the ceiling?
For all intents, a pony wall is just a short wall that does not reach the ceiling; it need not be any particular height nor width, though it typically reaches about 3 feet tall.
Can you drywall over concrete?
You can put drywall over concrete, but it is important to be mindful of the process. Drywall should never be installed directly to a concrete slab, and should be installed over a barrier wall to prevent any type of moisture transfer, which could create mold and damage the drywall.
Is floating floor good for basement?
A floating floor is the perfect solution for a concrete basement subfloor, allowing for the installation of a moisture barrier to protect your basement flooring against moisture damage. Installing a floating floor is the first step to a fully finished basement with your choice of flooring.
How much space should be between basement and framing?
Be sure to maintain the 16-inch on-center stud spacing, and check the wall frame to make sure it’s plumb before nailing it to the beam.
What is the difference between a pony wall and a knee wall?
A pony wall is a short wall. In different circumstances, it may refer to: a half wall that only extends partway from floor to ceiling, without supporting anything. a knee wall, which extends from the floor to a countertop, rafter, or handrail.
What are pony walls?
A pony wall is nothing more than a short wall, and the term is often used interchangeably with “knee wall” or “cripple wall.” Pony walls, like regular walls, have top and bottom plates, that is, the horizontal members that the vertical studs fasten to. Interior pony walls are drywalled and finished.
Can you build a stud wall on a floating floor?
Yes you can over 3m, the only significant movement you would get on that would be if the floor flooded and as its mdf it would be ruined anyway.
How hard is it to put up a wall?
Building a nonbearing interior wall is relatively easy, requiring just basic carpentry skills and tools. Depending on the nature of your existing floor, walls, and ceiling, you may have to peel away some surface materials to provide for secure attachment at the top, bottom, and ends of the new wall.
Why are there basements in Colorado?
Colder climates like Colorado tend to have more homes with basements because generally, homes are more stable when they’re anchored below the frost line. The Colorado frost line is about three to four feet below the surface, and digging an eight-foot basement puts the home’s footings solidly below the frost line.
What are floating joists?
The “floating” aspect is created when joists extend far enough past the blocks to obscure the blocks. This, combined with the deck’s close proximity to the ground, gives the illusion of a hovering platform. Usually, this floating effect occurs on the two sides of the deck where the joists end.
Are basement walls load-bearing?
Interior Basement Walls Walls that run down the center of the basement are more likely to be load-bearing than others. Depending upon the span of the floor joists, additional support is often needed to carry the weight of the floor and the house. The center of the basement is the most efficient spot for this task.
How do you finish a basement without drywall?
Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and Paint. Basement Panels. Wood Fiberboard. Fabric. Vinyl and Wallpaper. Stone Veneer. Pargeting. Exposed Brick.
