How to Build a Square Box Around a Basement Column

If you are looking for ideas on how to finish basement columns, you will be amazed to see all the possibilities available. The columns are there to support the main beams of your house. The best way to make them blend into your newly finished basement is to cover them somehow.

Choosing a way to hide columns is easy. The most conventional design is to box and cover them with decorative wood. To prepare your basement columns to be covered with the wood of your choice, follow these steps.

Step 1 - Measure the Columns

Measure the height of the columns. Make sure your 4 pieces of 1x6x12-inch lumber match those measurements.

Step 2 - Build the Boxes

Build a U-shaped box with 3 sides and secure it well with screws. Hold the box around the column, then screw the fourth side to create a 4-sided box. The shims need to be installed on the bottom or at the top of the box tightly with a hammer to prevent it from moving.

Step 3 - Drill

Drill a hole on each side of the box 2 feet from the bottom. Next, drill another set of holes in the middle and yet another set 2 feet down from the ceiling. You will have drilled 12 holes upon completing this step.

Step 4 - Add the Foam

When applying the spray foam, be careful not to over apply. It can destroy the box while expanding if the box is over-filled. The foam will harden and keep the box wrapped around the column. Wait a day to remove the shims. Use hard-dry foam, not non-expanding foam. Use screws to put the box together, not nails. Nails come loose easily under the pressure of the foam.

Step 5 - Finish the Outside of the Box

Use wood paneling to cover the box and secure the panels with small finishing nails. Install a baseboard around the bottom and a crown on top to finish the look. Add a shelf to make it look like a table. Drywall can also be installed on the box and painted to look smooth and fresh.