Structural Framing

The backbone of your new home.

Here are Our Subjects on This Page

• Roof System Types

There are several standards in wood wall framing as well as custom set ups. Standard walls are either framed as 2x4 or 2x6 framing.

The two most standard wall heights are nominal 8’ tall or 9’ tall. The actual finished heights will be 8’ 1-1/8” and 9’ 1-1/8” respectively.

A basic wall frame consists of a bottom plate (treated wood if in contact with concrete) a series of precut studs, either 92-5/8” long or 104-5/8” long typically placed 16” on center (can be 24” OC).

A top plate and a tie plate used to connect adjoining wall sections.

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When purchasing lumber for your plates it is wise to remember that 12’ and 16’ length boards will lay out with exactly 16” OC spacing leaving no random ends where 10’ and 14’ lumber don’t space out evenly.

This will help simplify your plate lay outs and you will be able to cut either of these lengths down for shorter wall sections.

It is recommended to lay out all your wall placements on the floor with permanent chalk lines marking both sides of each wall and remembering to space the lines 3-1/2” apart for 2x4 walls and 5-1/2” apart for 2x6 walls.

Once the chalk lines are in place you can begin the process of laying out your plates. It is common practice to begin by placing your bottom plate with the leading edge to one corner.

Mark a line 1-1/2” in from end, square this end across the board with a speed square and place an X in the space between this mark and end of board.

Now start at the end again and place a mark 15-3/4” from end and square with the speed square then place an X to the far side of this line but right next to it.

Now measure from this line 16” and repeat the last process. Continue to repeat this process completely across the plate.

Lay your top plate next to the first plate and transfer these marks to it. You now have a matched set of top and bottom plates almost ready for studs.

The last step is to determine if there are any openings to be placed in this wall section. If so you will need to mark out the placement of their king studs on the plates and again mark the X to the outside of the stud.

Openings will include a combination of rough sill, header, cripple studs, and trimmer studs.

Exterior bearing walls over 10’ tall are always recommended to be constructed of 2x6 or larger to avoid wind shear issues. For walls over 12’ tall consult local engineering for size recommendations.

If you are building a 2x4 wall and need a load bearing header you will sandwich a piece of ½” plywood between 2 pieces of 2x ? lumber, size will be determined by opening span and will be covered in another area.

If your wall is 2x6 in construction you can use one of the following options either adjust your header placement and attach a 2x6 to both top and bottom of the 2x ? primary members creating a box or rip a 2-1/2” strip of 2x material as a sandwich spacer.

In either case I recommend filling the header with insulation before installing it in the wall.

Fasteners

This will vary depending on whether that is a concrete slab or a wood framed floor system.

I am also showing common reinforcing hardware for multi-story connections.

The final section at the top of the illustration covers standard connectors used to connect the tie plate to roof framing.

I have also included a few of my typical wall section details to cover the basics of material placement in both brick finish and sided walls.

So the next topic we will cover here will be the section on FLOOR SYSTEMS and from there The next related topic will be different types of BEAMS Beams are always a structural feature and can be the difference between an open feeling and that feeling of being closed in.

In the last two sections I will discuss the features and differences between a RAFTER ROOF SYSTEM and a Engineered Roof Trusses

Here we will discuss basic component terminology as well as basics of design.

There is so much that can be done with a roof system to create an Architectural statement and the more that you understand your options the more involved you can be in your design process.

Well that will wrap it up for structure, be sure and stick around as we are about to dive into all the decorative and functional aspects that will make your home distinct.

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