Here’s a simple and economical way to create an attractive baseboard for a one-sided interior wall in a basement by using a composite bottom plate. It consists of a 1×2 nailing strip attached to a 2×4 placed on edge, as shown in the drawing.
First, drill the 1×2 strip at 12-in. intervals with a bit slightly smaller than the nails you plan to use, and fasten the strip to the 2×4. Then paint the face of the 2×4 with flat black paint, and fasten the assembly to the slab floor with concrete nails. Now toenail 2×3 studs to the base on 16-in. centers, and panel the wall. Let the plywood run over the base plate about 1/2-in. leaving a flat black reveal 3 in. wide.
John Molnar, Moorestown, NJ
