Basement Finishing

[rousso]

I've gone ahead and contracted someone to finish my basement. He has completed the fraiming and have the following questions:

1) The distance between the studs (no loading walls) is 24", is this ok? Folks are telling me that 16" is much better??

2) Around the beams (cieling) he built a drop down box with 2x2 vs. 2x4s, any concerns with this?

3) Distance between 2x2 in the cieling is 24" also??

Appreciate any feedback or advise.

[majakdragon]

rousso, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
What is he putting up on the studs? Drywall? How thick? What does the "box" do? Is the ceiling drywall and how thick? These questions will help to better answer your questions. Thanks.

[Pilot Dane]

First, there is nothing magical about the 16" dimension, but it is the most common and works well with the most common finishing materials (sheet rock, panelling). In your case 24" versus 16" spacing depends on the quality & durability that you want.

The greater stud spacing just means that any wall covering will have to be stronger otherwise you may notice a waviness. 1/2" sheetrock with studs 24" may be ok on the walls but you may notice the sheetrock sagging over time on the ceiling. Thicker thick sheet rock would span the distance better but offset any savings by spacing the studs further apart.

In my opinion a 2x4 is a few dollars, so you only save a little with the greater spacing. The greater durability and quality of the 16" spacing greatly outweighs any savings from the 24" spacing.

[rousso]

rousso, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
What is he putting up on the studs? Drywall? How thick? What does the "box" do? Is the ceiling drywall and how thick? These questions will help to better answer your questions. Thanks.

______________

Thanks for the welcome!! I'm having them install drywall (1/2"); I've asked him why he used 24" gaps and he indicated that it did not make a difference. The box is basically to cover the ceiling's beams...kind of a drop down section. He is using 2x2s (24" apart) and will be screwing the dryway to these studs...

Thanks