Hey everyone! I'm currently trying to sister some studs in a shower alcove, but I'm facing a few challenges. My main goal is to ensure that everything is perfectly square, but rebuilding the existing framing isn't possible because there are waterlines and vent stacks that run down through the sill plate and into the slab.
The studs are already sistered, but to get the alcove square, I need to shift the back left corner in by about half an inch. The problem is that the existing stud faces are not aligned properly with the inside of the shower.
Is it feasible to shim the studs when I sister them to angle them slightly? This way, my shower backer board (Densshield) can sit flush with the stud face. Also, I'm unclear about whether I can use screws instead of nails for attaching the sistered studs. If nails are required, should I just go with standard framing nails?
I should mention that this house is quite poorly framed, so I'm trying to make the best of the situation. The shower walls won't be too heavy when tiled (they're around 34"x85"), and there's already some blocking in place.
The sill plate has been replaced but has multiple cuts, so I can't risk nailing the sistered stud to it without the chance of damaging it. I have already poured self-leveler in the alcove, so ripping that out and replacing the sill plate would be a hassle.
Another thought I had was to use horizontal furring strips cut at an angle. Is there a way to chamfer a stud?
2 Answers
You can definitely shim the studs to get that angle if they're not perfectly square. It's smart to use a 2x6 instead of a 2x4 for better contact if you're worried about the fit. Just dry fit it, mark your cuts, and if you have help, use a table saw for the cuts.
And yes, you can substitute structural screws for nails on your sistered studs, which should hold everything firmly in place. Just make sure those screws are labeled as "structural"—they're designed for this kind of application!
Your plan sounds solid! Using common nails to secure the sistered stud and then adding screws to fasten it to the shim is a great approach. It should give you a strong hold. Just remember to secure it with screws first before you nail—sounds like you're on the right track!