Wall Framing Tips for New Construction

Wall framing always looks simple and straightforward, but a mistake here—a wall that"s too short or a window opening slightly too small—wastes lots of time and effort later. In this article, we"ll show you simple techniques designed to ensure accurate results. Keep in mind, though, that carpentry practices and jargon vary from region to region and even from one carpenter to the next. So don"t be surprised if some of the labels and marks we show aren"t exactly what you"d encounter on a local building project. The basic concepts are the same, and with this information your next framing project should go smoothly and error free.

Snap lines and set the plates in place

Eliminate mistakes by chalking a full-size map of your walls directly on the floor. First mark the inside edge of the wall at each corner and snap chalk lines. Mark the location of interior walls as well and snap chalk lines

on both sides of interior wall locations to ensure correct plate positions. Double-check all of your layout lines to make sure the walls are parallel, the corners are at right angles and the dimensions match the plans. Then measure and cut a top and bottom plate for each wall as shown. Double-check lengths by setting the plates in their exact position.

Mark windows and doors first, then lay out the studs

Find the center of each window and door opening. Then divide the “rough opening” (given on your plan or in the window literature) by two and measure out to the left and right of the center mark. Write a “T” to the outside of both marks to indicate trimmer locations. Measure over 1-1/2 in. and draw another line. Mark an “X” outside these marks for the full-height king studs.

Set the plates side by side and transfer the marks from the top plate to the bottom plate using a square. Some carpenters mark only the edge of the plates. We show marking the wide face, which will help you align twisted studs. Tack the pairs of plates together with 8d nails after marking them so they don"t get separated and mixed with other plates. Then set them aside until you"re ready to build that wall.

Nail full-height headers to the top plate

Calculate header lengths by adding 3 in. to the rough opening width. Add 6 in. to headers that require two trimmers on each side. Cut header parts and nail them together. Label the headers. In many plans, headers are positioned against the top plate. If yours are, begin wall assembly by positioning and nailing these “full-height” headers to the top plate with 16d nails.

In wall plans that have openings with cripples above the header, cut and nail together the king studs and trimmers first. Then position and nail them to the plates. Set the header on the trimmers and nail through the king studs to hold it in place. Then measure, and nail the cripples into place. You have to toenail the bottom of the cripples to the header.

Original article and pictures take http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Wall---Ceiling/Framing/wall-framing-tips-for-new-construction site


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