By 5 min read

What is soffit in basement?

More videos on YouTube The Soffits as we call them in the biz, hide the main ceiling obstacles that protrude down from the floor joists. These obstacles generally include the main heating and cooling duct-work, main load bearing beams, main sewage lines, water lines, wires, etc..

Where should heat registers be placed in basement?

Every register should be fed directly from the central unit (or basement trunk line) by its own duct. If you stacked registers on a single duct on second and third floors, for instance, all the heat would go to the second floor.

How far can a 2×4 span flat soffit?

A 2×4 which would be minimal will take up 4″ of space with covering, bringing your clearance to 90″. If that is acceptable, then you can frame it all in using standard construction methods, apply your sheetrock and have a 90″ ceiling.

How can I hide the ductwork in my basement?

How to Hide Ducts in a Basement

  1. Paint Your Duct Work. The fastest and least expensive way to cover your duct work is to paint it the same color as your ceiling.
  2. Use Soffits or Tray Ceilings.
  3. Create a Drop Ceiling.
  4. Opt for Flattened Ducts.

Can I build a soffit with 2×2?

A soffit is usually constructed with 2×2 lumber, which is easy to work with and inexpensive. You can use 1 x 3s to keep the frame as small as possible and 2 x 4s for large soffits that will house other elements, such as recessed lighting fixtures Chases should be framed with 2 x 4s.

Can soffit be installed on an angle?

Yes you could, as long as you get the plane above the window trim.

How do you finish a basement with a furnace?

If you are finishing your basement and building walls, incorporate a small area to enclose the furnace, AC, and or water heater. These louvered doors provide great ventilation. Another option is to create a set of built-in shelves in the door that don’t even look like a closet.

Can You frame a soffit in your basement?

Framing soffits is a very simple operation that anyone can do themselves with just a tiny-bit of basement framing training! Good luck framing your soffit “Ladders! A membership to Basement Finishing University includes everything you need to finish your own basement:

What kind of plywood do you use for basement soffits?

Basement Soffits & drops are easy to build using 2X2’s and ½” OSB plywood. Not much to how to build them as you rip the plywood to the desired height which can be determined by the lowest duct height allowing space for framed material under the duct as well. Snap a chalk line where you’ll place the 2X2.

How does bracing work on a soffit ceiling?

After all “ladders” and “cross-over framing” is installed there is one additional step to complete the framing of the soffit, and that is the bracing. The bracing framing is installed in the middle of the “cross-member” span and acts as a “stiffening brace” that keeps the soffit ceiling from sagging in the middle of the span.

How to frame around the duct work in basements?

You got your wires, your pipes, and the biggest obstacle of em all… those big ole lengths of duct-work. Hmmm…how does one frame around all this stuff that makes-up the ceiling-scape (that’s my word I own it so don’t try to steal it!)? The best method for framing around the majority of these obstacles is called “Soffit Framing”.