Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 1/21/2010

Question
We would like to drywall an outside concrete basement wall.  It has a window and we are not sure how to frame around it.  also the wall has a dewatering system along the baseboard that extend 3 inches out from the wall.  It also has 2 "deadmen" anchors with cable going out to steel beam in yard for sopport.  The yard has been regraded for water drainage and we have not had water along the wall for over 3 very wet years.  As we frame out we will have to come quite a ways from the block to be able to cover the bolts and dewatering, this will leave the window deep what do we do to not cover the window, and what materials would we need?

Answer
Hi Tom, if you have to go several inches from the concrete for your wall framing then 2x4 pressure treated wall studs are suggested.  Simply frame up the wall and put it where you want.  Framing windows isn't too difficult you can nail or tapcon 1x6 pressure treated wood to the inside of the concrete window opening and frame your 2x4 wall to match that furring.. Then all you do is drywall the opening as usual..If you want more daylight through the finished opening you can flare the framing creating a funnel effect..similar to a flared skylight opening..I hope this information helps please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com