Carpentry & Building Construction

Chapter 16: Wall Framing & Sheathing

Chapter Summaries

Section 16.1 Wall-Framing Materials
Exterior walls are nearly always load-bearing walls. Wall framing members include studs, plates, headers, cripple studs, sills, and trimmer studs. Sheathing may be applied before or after a wall is raised. The spacing and gauge of sheathing fasteners is important for establishing a solid connection.

Section 16.2 Wall Layout
Wall framing begins with laying out the location of two intersecting exterior walls. Plate layout identifies the location of each stud in a wall, as well as the location of doors and windows.

Section 16.3 Assembling & Erecting Walls
A story pole is useful as a quick layout reference. Exterior walls are set up, plumbed, and braced before interior walls.

Section 16.4 Special Framing Details
Special framing adds strength and quality to a structure. Special framing is often done after the building is enclosed.