All House Framing EXPLAINED...In Just 12 MINUTES! (House Construction/Framing Members)

Summary

This video from The Honest Carpenter provides a detailed overview of house framing components, helping homeowners understand critical terms and concepts. It explains the various framing members, from the mud sill at the foundation level to roof rafters and trusses. The video covers joists, beams, studs, headers, plates, and other structural elements, illustrating their functions and importance in construction. By learning this terminology, homeowners can better communicate with contractors and grasp essential aspects of home building or remodeling projects.

Takeaways

• 🔨 Framing provides the support and shape to a house, and it's crucial to understand the terminology for better communication with contractors.
• 🧱 The first framing component is the mud sill, a treated piece of lumber placed on the foundation to prevent rot from masonry moisture.
• 📏 Joists are long pieces of lumber or engineered materials that form the floor structure by spanning open spaces and providing support.
• 🪵 Beams or girders act as stronger, spine-like framing members supporting joists, sometimes made from engineered lumber like LVL (laminated veneer lumber).
• 🏗️ Studs are the vertical framing members in walls, typically 2x4 or 2x6, while plates (horizontal pieces) form the top and bottom structure of walls.
• 🚪 Door and window openings require special framing with components like headers, trimmer studs, and king studs to redistribute weight around the openings.
• 🧱 Blocking or nogging serves multiple purposes, such as preventing studs from bowing and providing a mounting surface for fixtures.
• 🚪 Staircases can be built with stringers or pre-assembled as units, with risers (vertical pieces) and treads (horizontal pieces) forming the steps.
• 🏠 Roofs can be traditionally framed with rafters or made using pre-assembled trusses, which are lighter and often eliminate the need for load-bearing walls.
• 🛠️ Sheathing, a layer of plywood or strand board, covers the entire frame, helping stabilize the house and serving as the base for exterior finishes.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the mud sill in house framing?

The mud sill, made of treated lumber, provides a stable layer for all the framing above it. It acts as a buffer between damp masonry (which holds moisture) and the dry framing above, preventing rot. The mud sill runs around the perimeter of the foundation and is secured with anchor bolts to prevent the house from lifting during strong winds.

How do joists function in a house's floor structure?

Joists create the floor structure by spanning open spaces, acting as a bridge across distances. They provide support for floors to walk on and ceilings to hang from. Joists can be made of dimensional lumber or engineered materials like I-joists, which are versatile and include pre-cut knockouts for running utilities like wiring and ducts.

What are girders and beams, and how are they used in framing?

Girders and beams are larger, stronger pieces of lumber that act as spines for joists to rest on. They support joists by bearing their weight, allowing for longer spans. Girders and beams can be made of dimensional lumber grouped together or engineered wood like laminated veneer lumber (LVL) for added strength.

What is the role of studs in wall framing?

Studs provide the vertical structure of walls, spaced either 16 or 24 inches apart. They are typically 2x4 or 2x6 pieces of lumber. In some cases, stud packs are grouped together to create makeshift columns that carry heavy point loads. The studs sit on a horizontal piece called the bottom plate and are topped with double plates for strength.

How is the framing for doors and windows different from regular wall framing?

Openings for doors and windows require special framing to bear the weight around them. Headers are placed above the openings to distribute the weight out to the edges, similar to how a beam functions. The ends of the headers rest on trimmer (jack) studs and are enclosed by taller king studs. Shorter studs fill in the space above doors and below windows, creating nailing surfaces for drywall and cladding.

What is blocking, and what purposes does it serve in framing?

Blocking, also called nogging in some countries, is horizontal wood pieces installed between studs. It prevents the studs from bowing or twisting and can serve as a fire block to slow the spread of fire. In areas like bathrooms or kitchens, blocking provides a solid surface to mount fixtures such as towel racks and cabinets.

How has staircase construction evolved in modern homes?

In the past, stairs were often built on-site using notched lumber called stringers. Today, many interior staircases are pre-assembled in factories and installed as single units. These ready-made units are measured precisely beforehand and installed like ramps, simplifying the construction process.

What is the difference between traditional roof framing and truss systems?

Traditional roofs are framed with rafters, which are like floor joists but set diagonally. Rafters converge at a ridge board. In contrast, roof trusses are pre-assembled units engineered to create the roof's shape and structure. Trusses are lightweight but strong, reducing the need for load-bearing walls and speeding up the construction process.

What is the function of roof sheathing in house framing?

Roof sheathing is a layer of plywood or strand board that covers the framing system, acting like a skin. It not only closes the house but also prevents the structure from collapsing by adding stability. It is placed beneath the house wrap and siding.

Why is it important to understand framing terminology when working with contractors?

Understanding framing terminology helps homeowners communicate effectively with contractors during renovations or new builds. Knowing the names and functions of various framing components enables better decision-making, helps prevent misunderstandings, and ensures that homeowners can accurately assess the scope of work being done.