SECOND

EDITION

Complete Book of

Framing
An Illustrated Guide for

Residential Construction

Scot Simpson

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
About the Author

xi

Acknowledgments

xiii

Introduction

xv

Chapter 1: Introduction to Framing

Framing Terms

Framing Lumber

Framing Sheathing

Engineered Wood Products

Lumber & Wood Structural Panel Grade Stamps

12

Framing Nails

13

Framing Tools

14

Framing Tool Truck

16

Cutting Lumber

17

Protecting Lumber from Decay

18

Preservative Treated Wood

20

Chapter 2: Nailing Patterns

21

Nail Top Plate to Studs

24

Nail Bottom Plate to Studs

24

Nail Double Plate to Top Plate

25

Nail Corner

25

Nail Walls Together or Nail Double Studs

25

Nail Trimmer to Stud

26

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Concrete Nailing

26

Nail Bearing & Nonbearing Walls to Floor

Perpendicular to Joists

27

Nail Bearing & Nonbearing Walls to Floor

Parallel to Joists

27

Nail Header to Stud

28

Nail Let-in Bracing

29

Nail End of Joist

30

Nail Rim Joist

30

Nail Sheathing

31

Nail Built-up Girders & Beams

32

Nail Joist Blocking

32

Nail Lapping Joists

33

Nail Drywall Backing

33

Nail Trusses to Wall

34

Nail Ceiling Joist, Rafters, & Ridge

34

Nail Rafters to Wall

35

Nail Blocks

35

Nail Fascia & Bargeboard

36

Chapter 3: Floor Framing

37

Step 1Crown & Place Joists

40

Steps 2 & 3Nail Rim Joists in Place

& Cut Joists to Length

41

Step 4Nail Joists in Place

42

Step 5Frame Openings in Joists

43

Steps 6 & 7Block Bearing Walls & Nail Joists to Walls

44

Step 8Drywall Backing

45

Step 9Suboor Sheathing

46

Chapter 4: Wall Framing

47

Step 1Spread Headers

50

Step 2Spread Makeup

51

Steps 37Assemble Wall

52

Step 8Square Wall

53

Step 9Sheathe Wall

54

Step 10Install Nail-Flange Windows

55

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Steps 1115Standing & Setting Wall

56

Step 16Plumb & Line

57

Framing Rake Walls

60

Chapter 5: Roof Framing

69

Roof Framing Terms

72

Step 1Find the Lengths of Common Rafters

74

Step 2Cut Common Rafter

83

Step 3Set Ridge Board

86

Step 4Set Common Rafters

87

Step 5Find Length of Hip & Valley Rafters

88

Step 6Cut Hip & Valley Rafters

89

Step 7Set Hip & Valley Rafters

91

Step 8Set Jack Rafters

92

Step 9Block Rafters & Lookouts

93

Step 10Set Fascia

93

Step 11Install Sheathing

94

Rafter Guidelines

95

Ceiling Joists

106

Step 1Spread Trusses

108

Step 2Sheathe Gable Ends

109

Step 3Set Gable Ends

109

Step 4Roll Trusses

110

Steps 58

111

Chapter 6: Doors, Windows, & Stairs

113

Door Framing Terms

116

Installation of Exterior Doors

116

Installation of Nail-Flange Window

119

Installation of Window Flashing

120

Installation of Sliding Glass Doors

121

Installation of Stairs

122

Circular Stairs

127

Chapter 7: Layout

135

Wall Layout

139

Joist Layout

154

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Rafter or Truss Layout

156

Roof Layout

156

Chapter 8: Engineered Wood Products

159

Engineered Panel Products

162

Engineered Lumber Products

163

Chapter 9: Wind & Earthquake Framing

183

The Strength of Good Framing

186

Understanding Structural Loads

186

Building Code Load Requirements

187

Regional Considerations

188

Framing Details

188

Hold-Downs

195

Positive Placement Nail Guns

200

Chapter 10: Building Code Requirements

203

Introduction to Building Codes

206

Framing According to Code

210

Protection from Decay

228

Termite Protection

234

Chapter 11: Green Framing

235

Green Framing Feeling

238

Advanced Framing

238

Material Selection

240

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

241

SIP Installation

241

SIP Tools

247

Chapter 12: Preparing for a Job

249

Developing a Job Start Checklist

252

Reviewing the Plans & Making Preparations

255

Organizing the Job Site

259

Chapter 13: Managing the Framing Start

263

Checking Exterior Wall Dimensions

266

Checking Reference Lines for Square

267

Adjusting Reference Lines

268

Checking the Building for Level

270

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Chapter 14: Managing a Framing Team

275

Managing Your Team

278

The Role of Lead Framers

279

Quality Control

288

Organizing Tools & Materials

289

Teaching Framers

292

Framing Tips for Every Task

294

Planning & Scheduling

302

Recordkeeping

304

Productivity

306

Chapter 15: Safety

311

Personal Protective Equipment

314

Hand Tools

315

Ladders

317

Fall Protection

317

Rough Terrain Forklift Safety

319

Housekeeping

321

Glossary

325

Spanish Framing Terms

335

Index

343

ix

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Contents
Framing Terms

Framing Lumber

Framing Sheathing

Engineered Wood Products

Lumber & Wood Structural

Panel Grade Stamps

12

Framing Nails

13

Framing Tools

14

Framing Tool Truck

16

Cutting Lumber

17

Protecting Lumber from Decay

18

Preservative Treated Wood

20

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INTRODUCTION
TO FRAMING
The trade of wood framing comprises the rough
carpentry skills needed to produce the skeleton of
a building and its rst layer of skin. The skeleton
consists of the structural lumber forming the oors,
walls, and roof. The skin consists of the lumber that
encloses the skeleton and provides a surface for
subsequent layers of protective and decorative
nish materials.
This chapter is an illustrated review of a framers
most basic tools, materials, and terminology. This
basic information is often not even taught on the
job site, so if you dont know it when you arrive for
work, you will have to play a guessing game or ask a
lot of questions.

partitions, and trimmers as jack studs. But it doesnt

matter what they are called as long as you know
what they are. There is also a more detailed list of
framing terms with denitions at the back of
the book.
The suggested organization for a framing tool truck
presented in this chapter is just an example of how
a truck might be set up for tool storage. Its purpose
is, once again, to reduce confusion and make the job
easier. It is amazing how much time can be spent
looking for tools and nails if they arent put where
you expect them to be.

The detailed illustrations serve as a handy reference

and help to reduce confusion when different words
are used for the same item. Confusion can arise
when framers move from job site to job site and
work with different people. For example, bottom
plates are often known as sole plates, backers as

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Framing Terms
Bearing Walls
Solid header

Double plate

Top plate

Stud
Corner
King Stud

Sill
Stud

Trimmer
(Jack stud)

Cripples (Legs)

Bearing walls support the main weight of an upper

portion of a building, such as a ceiling, oor, or
roof. Nonbearing walls provide little or no support

Backer

Bottom plate
(Sole plate)

to those upper portions. Remove nonbearing walls,

and the upper portions will stand; remove bearing
walls, and the upper portions will fall.

Nonbearing Walls
Cripples

Cripple
header

Double plate

Top plate

L-Header

Stud

Sill
Double studs

King Stud
Cripples (Legs) Trimmer (Jack stud)

Bottom plate
(Sole plate)

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Framing Terms (continued)

Roof sheathing

Blocking
Roof truss
Double plate

Top plate

Studs

Suboor sheathing (decking)

Bottom plate

Rim joist (ribbon)

Double plate
Floor joist
Top plate

Stud

Bottom plate

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Framing Lumber
number. For example, a piece of lumber that actually
Lumber is sized in nominal, as opposed to
actual, dimensions. A nominal dimension rounds measures 1" 3" is rounded off to the nominal
off the actual dimension to the next highest whole 2" 4".

1"
Actual
dimensions
Nominal
dimensions

Actual

3"

5"

7"

9"

11"

24

26

28

2 10

2 12

Nominal

3"

2"

"
3"

3"

3"

14

34

44

3"
Actual
Nominal

3"
7"

46

48

5"
Actual

Nominal

3"

5"

5"

3"
9"

11"

4 10

5"

4 12

5"

5"

7"

9"

11"

66

68

6 10

6 12

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Framing Sheathing
Engineered Panel
Products
Sheathing comes in 4' 8' sheets.
The thicknesses most commonly
used in framing are ", 5/8",
and ".

sheet
5/8 sheet
sheet

T&G Wood Structural Panels

(tongue and groove)

The engineered panel products on this wall provide

the strength needed for the high ceiling of this
elementary school.

GWB
5/8 GWB

GWB = Gypsum wallboard (also

called drywall or sheetrock). The
most common thicknesses are "
and 5/8".

Although not as
common in house
framing, gypsum
wallboard can be used
on exterior walls, such
as for apartments and
condos, and commercial
buildings for re
protection.

Dens Glass gypsum sheathing is a brand that has berglass mat, which provides mold and moisture
resistance and is gold in color.

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Engineered Wood Products

Engineered wood products are becoming more and
more a part of our everyday framing. The strengths
of these different products vary. Whenever you
use engineered wood, it is important that you
understand the qualities of the specic product
you are planning to use, as well as structural
considerations and any restrictions on cutting
and installation.

Engineered wood products can be divided into

two categories: engineered panel products and
engineered lumber products. Engineered panel
products include plywood, oriented strand board
(OSB), waferboard, composite, and structural
particleboard. Engineered lumber products include
I-joists, glu-lam beams, LVLs (laminated veneer
lumber), PSLs (parallel strand lumber), and LSLs
(laminated strand lumber).
Engineered wood products have
structural qualities different than those
of traditional wood, so they must be
used within the specication set by the
manufacturer. When these products are
specied on the plans, the architect or
engineer who specied them will have
checked with the structural engineer to
ensure proper use.
Engineered panel products have been
around for years and are treated in a

I-joists are engineered

panel products that
provide consistency and
fewer oor squeaks.

Engineered Panel
Product

Plywood
sheet
5/8 sheet
sheet

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Engineered Wood Products (continued)

Stagger (optional)

im

gd

Lon

io
ens

Leave space at all panel

edge joints and 1/8 space at
all panel end joints unless
otherwise recommended by
panel manufacturer.
2 joists, plywood-webbed
I-joists or oor trusses.
APA rated sheathing

manner similar to engineered wood products. The

4' 8' typical sheets are strongest in the direction
of the grain. For oors and roofs, these sheets
should be laid perpendicular to the direction of
the supporting members. The strength of the
panels comes from the panel cantilevering over the
supportsso each piece should be at least as long as
two support members.
Glu-lam beams, LVLs, PSLs, and LSLs can be
cut to length, but should not be drilled or
notched without checking with manufacturers
specications.

Web stiffeners are used to add to the strength at

bearing points. If the bearing point is at the
bottom ange, then the web stiffener, which is the
thickness of the ange on one side of the web, is
held tight to the bottom. There should be at least
a 1/8" space between the top ange and the web
stiffener. If the bearing point is at the top ange,
then the web stiffener is held tight to the top with
at least 1/8" between the bottom ange and the
web stiffener.

I-joists are becoming more widely used. Although

the Engineered Wood Association has a standard
for I-joists, not all I-joists manufacturers subscribe
to that standard. Consequently, it is important to
follow the manufacturers instructions whenever
using I-joists. Installation instructions are usually
delivered with the load for each job. The illustration
shows some of the typical instructions.
Certain features are common among all I-joists. Rim
and blocking may be of I-joist or solid rim board.
Typical widths are 9", 11 7/8 ", 14", 16", and 20".

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Engineered Wood Products (continued)

Bottom Bearing
Flange

Common construction
details for engineered
lumber joists.

Gap:
1/8 minimum
2 maximum

3-8d (2) box nails, clinched if necessary

Web

1
Tight t
Flange

Web stiffener each side:

TJI/Pro 150 joists: 25/16 minimum
TJI/Pro 250 joists: 5/8 25/16
minimum
TJI/Pro 350 joists: 1 25/16 minimum
(Illustrations courtesy of iLevel by Weyerhaeuser)

SSection
tii view
i off II-joist.
j i t Pl
Please
l
note
t th
the
h components
t off th
the
joist (darker colors) and the web stiffener (lighter color).
Fasteners are shown in black.

10

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Engineered Wood Products (continued)

Squash blocks are pieces of lumber installed
alongside TJI's at points of heavy loading. They
prevent the weight from crushing the TJI. They are
typically dimensional lumber like 2 4s or 2 6s.
They should be cut 1/ 16" longer than the I-joist to
take the load off the I-joists.

I-joists typically require a 1" bearing. You can cut

the end of an I-joist as long as it is not cut beyond
a line straight up from the end of the bearing.
However, no cuts should extend beyond a vertical
line drawn from the end of the bearing point.

I-joist hardware, such as hangers, is usually delivered

ed
with the I-joist package. However, standard I-joistt
hardware can be purchased separately.

Load from above

/16

2 4 minimum
squash blocks
(Illustrations courtesy of iLevel by Weyerhaeuser)

Squash blocks
should be 1/16"
greater than the Ijoist height.

DO NOT bevel-cut joist

beyond inside face of wall.

Rim board

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Lumber & Wood Structural Panel Grade Stamps

Lumber and wood structural panels are graded for
strength and different uses. Each piece of lumber
is stamped for identication before it is shipped.

Architects specify grades of lumber and wood

structural panels for various purposes, and framers
need to make sure the right wood is used.

Wood Structural Panels

b.

c.

a.
d.

e.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Panel grade
Span rating
Tongue-and-groove
Exposure durability classication
Product Standard
Thickness
Mill number
APAs performance rated panel
standard

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Siding face grade

Species group number
HUD/FHA recognition
Panel grade, Canadian standard
Panel mark Rating and end-use
designation,
14. Canadian standard
15. Canadian performance rated panel
standard
16. Panel face orientation indicator

Lumber
Framing

Grade

Use

Light framing
2 2 thru 4 4

Construction
Standard & better
Utility

Plates
Sills
Studs over 10

Stud
2 2 thru 4 6
10 or less

Stud

Studs
Cripples

Structural framing

Select structural
No.1
No. 2
No. 3

Joists
Rafters
Headers
Posts
Beams

a. WWPA certication mark certies

Association Quality standards and is a
registered trademark.
b. Mill identication Firm name, brand,
or assigned mill number. WWPA can
be contacted to identify an individual
mill whenever necessary.
c. Grade designation Grade name,
number, or abbreviation.
d. Species identication Indicates species
by individual species or species
combination.
e. Condition of seasoning Indicates
condition of seasoning at time of
surfacing:
MC-15 KD-15: 15% maximum moisture
content
S-DRY KD: 19% maximum moisture
content
S-GRN: over 19% moisture content
(unseasoned)

Images of grade stamps courtesy of APA, The Engineered Wood Association and
WWPA, the Western Wood Products Assocoiation

12

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Framing Nails

16d*

16d Common 3- long & .162 thick

16d Box
3- long & .135 thick
16d Sinkers
3- long & .148 thick

P-Nail used in a pneumatic nail gun

3 x .131

8d Common
8d Box
8d Sinkers

8d

2- long & .131 thick

2- long & .113 thick
2-3/8 long & .113 thick

Sinkers have a countersunk checked head and

a cement or vinyl coating for easy nailing

Inches

Joist hanger nail

Roong nail

Concrete nail

Casing nail

*d = P
Penny.
enn . The abbreviation com
enny
comes
mess ffrom
rom th
the
he
Roman word denarius, meaning
coin, which the English adapted to
penny. It originally referred to the
cost of a specic nail per 100. Today
it refers only to nail size.

13

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Framing Tools
Utility Knife
Hammer
Marking
Crayon

Chalk Line

Carpenters
Pencil

Framing Square

Tape

Try Square

Chisel

Hand Saw

Glue Gun
Speed
Square

Crowbar
Wall Puller
Sledgehammer

Tool Pouch
Flat Bar

Nail Puller or
Cats Paw

14

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Framing Tools (continued)

Reciprocating
Saw

Router

Electric Cord
Worm-drive Saw
(Circular Saw)

Drill

Chain Saw

Nail Gun

Air Hose

Air Compressor

15

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Framing Tool Truck

Typical Layout for a 14'
Step Van
If you're a professional framer, organizing your
tools helps keep them in good condition and
helps you nd them when you need them
saving valuable time on the job.

Right Side

7 sharp saw blades

Dull blades

Screwdriver
rack

Oversized
saw blades
Nail box
storage

Tool box
enclosed

Nail box
storage

Saw box
Seat

Left Side

Anchor bolts
attached to 2 x 10
and used for hanging
air hoses, electric cords,
and tool pouches

Front Behind Driver

Nail box
storage
Flat box for electric parts,
air hose parts, drill bits, etc.

Handsaw

Rain gear
Metal box
for wrenches
and sockets

Open
Crowbar

Seat
Sledgehammers

16

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Cutting Lumber
Speed square
25'
Tape

Use speed square to

make sure saw table
and saw blade are
square with each other.

Saw blade
Check to make sure tape
end is not bent and that it
moves on the end rivets.

Saw upsidedown

Accuracy in measuring, marking, and cutting

lumber is a very important framing skill to master.
Periodic checks should be made of the condition
of tape measures and the squareness of saw tables
and blades.
A typical saw blade removes a channel of wood
approximately 1/8" wide, called a kerf. This must
be taken into consideration when you make
a cut.

the mark with a square. The work piece the 25"

piece you want to usewill be to the left of the line;
the waste piece will be to the right. Guide your saw
along the right edge of the line so the kerf is made
in the waste piece. If your cut is perfectly made,
the work piece will be left showing exactly half the
width of your pencil line, and will measure exactly
25". Thus, the old carpenters saying: Leave
the line.

Suppose you want to cut a board 25" long. Measure

and make a mark at 25", then square a line through

Example: Cut a 25 piece

1

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Measure and mark

Work piece

Waste
piece

Square a line through mark

Reading a Tape Measure
1/8

kerf (saw blade cut)

Cut to the right of line.

17

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Protecting Lumber from Decay

Moisture and warmth will promote decay of most
woods. To prevent decay, naturally durable woods
or preservative-treated wood must be used when the
wood is exposed to moisture.
Decay-resistant woods include redwood, cedar,
black locust, and black walnut. Preservative-treated
wood is treated according to certain industrial
specications. Preservative-treated wood is most
commonly used because of its availability.
Preservative-treated or naturally durable woods
should be used in the following locations:

2. On concrete or masonry slabs that are in direct

contact with earth.
3. Where wood is attached directly to the interior
of exterior masonry or concrete walls below
grade.
4. For oor joists if they are closer than 18" to the
exposed ground.
5. For oor girders if they are closer than 12" to
the exposed ground.

1. On concrete foundation walls that are less

than 8" from exposed earth.

Exterior wall

Stud

Bottom plate
Ground
8 or less

When pressure treated

lumber is cut on the job site,
apply treatment to the end
by soaking or brushing

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Protecting Lumber from Decay (continued)

Framing on a concrete slab
Stud

Sleeper joist

Bottom plate

Concrete slab

Required unless
slab is separated
from ground by
an impervious
moisture barrier

Ground

Framing furring wall on a concrete

foundation
Stud

Bottom plate
Ground level

Vapor retarder may

be applied with
non-protected wood.

Bottom plate

Framing crawl space from ground

Joists

Girder
18 or less

12 or less
Ground

19

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Preservative Treated Wood

The treating of wood in recent years has gone
through some major changes. The most important
thing to know is that there are different types
of preservative treatment and that some of the
treatments require specially coated fasteners to
prevent corrosion.

Sodium Borate (SBX) preservative treatment is

another substitute for CCA that does not have the
problem of causing corrosion of steel fasteners,
however it will wash out of the lumber with liquid
exposure. It is specied for use above ground and
continuously protected from liquid water.

A little history will help in understanding. For

years the predominate chemical for preserving
dimension lumber had been chromated copper
arsenate (CCA). However, health concerns arose
because of the arsenic content in CCA, and in
2004 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
required labels on CCA, which had the effect of
disallowing the use of CCA-treated wood for most
residential uses.

New products are continually being developed.

Carbon based compounds are among these and
could prove to be less corrosive and natural in color.

The rst commonly used substitutes were copper

azole (CA) and alkaline copper quaternary
(ACQ). These eliminated the arsenic but created a
different problem because they were corrosive to
steel fasteners. To solve this problem, hardware
manufacturers began making their common
fasteners with a galvanized coating. For example,
if you see a Simpson Strong-Tie hardware labeled
Z-max you know it has been coated so that it
can be used with CA and ACQ. Steel nails also
had to be coated when used with lumber treated
with CA or ACQ. Typically they are galvanized.
Stainless steel is a better substitute for hardware
and nails because it is less corrosive, but it is
expensive.

The 2009 IBC & IRC code states that preservative

treated wood should be in accordance with AWPA
U1 (American Wood Protection Association
Use Category System) for the species, product,
preservative, and end use. The lumber tag attached
to the treated wood will give the use category
to assist you in making sure you are using the
correctly treated wood.
All the different labels and chemicals can be
confusing. Most importantly, make sure that you
are using the right treatment for the task at hand
and that you are using corrosive resistant fasteners
where necessary. To check the correct use of treated
lumber, read the tag attached to the lumber or ask
the lumber supplier. For CA or ACQ treatment,
you will need corrosion-resistant fasteners; for
SBX or other borate treatments, you will not need
corrosion-resistant fasteners. Beyond that, check
on the fastener boxes for specications or ask the
lumber or fastener supplier.

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