How to Box in a Pole in a Basement

Decide how big you want the wooden box, or frame, to be. The further away from the pole the box is, the larger it becomes. Measure and mark the sides of the box on the basement floor. Use a chalk line to mark the dimensions of the bottom plates of the box.

Cut four sections of 2-by-4 inch boards to form the bottom plates. Place the boards along the lines you marked on the floor. Clamp the boards together.

Drill holes into the bottom plates and into the floor. If you have a cement or concrete floor, you will need to use a masonry bit. Attach the bottom plates to flooring concrete anchors or Tapcon screws. Use two anchors per plate. The bottom plates should now be held firmly in place. Remove the clamps.

Measure the distance from the top edge of the bottom plates to the beam, or joist, above the pole. Cut four pieces of 2-by-4 inch board to this length. These boards will be the studs that support the drywall, or face, of the box.

Place two of the support studs on top of one edge of the base plates. Nail each stud to the base plate with three 8d nails. Then nail both studs to the joist above with three more 8d nails.

Repeat Step 5 for the opposite side of the box. You should now have four studs in place.

Measure the exact dimensions of the frame of the box. Cut four pieces of drywall to these sizes. Nail the drywall to the studs to complete the box.

Prime and paint the drywall the desired color.