I have been looking for information regarding the procedures of framing on a block step foundation. I would like to know the procedure once the sill plates are bolted on up to the floor joists. Where do I need to use double plates, which is best: constructing the full wall or do you build on the foundation and up, do you toenail the floor joists. I have many books on construction and non of them detail this procedure.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
Its been awhile since I did one of these - we used to use a transit to check stud length. Frame each level, and stand them up. Then we'd run a double top plate to tie it all together, bolt down snug, plumb and line (use bracing to make sure everything is straight and vertical), then run your floor joists. We'd run a rim joist on the edge, toenailed into the top plate. The joists would be nailed through the rim joist, and toenailed into the top plate at each end. Blocking at mid-span. Now you're ready for your subfloor. We used to use 1&1/4 t&g, glued down, and nailed with ring shank nails.
"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Edited 3/5/2006 8:23 pm by Huck
thanks for your info.
The way I do it is set up the transit after the foundation is done and check all the wall heights you will be framing on if they are really close call it good and measure your walls height subtract for one bottom plate and two top plates= 4 1/2 inches and that is your stud height. I setup the saw horses and lay 6-7 studs side by side snap a line and cut them. Do this as many times as needed. Build your walls on the slab and stand them in place. You may need at least one other guy to help you stand the walls up on the foundation, sometimes as much as 6' off the slab.
Thanks for you input,now its coming together. Any more info would be appreciated.
Another consideration is siding are you going to put siding on your foundation or are you going to step your siding like the foundation? If you are going to side the foundation make sure your sheeting is flush with the foundation so you don't have to add furring strips to the foundation.
Check your floor joist plan and start layout for studs in the same spot as the floor joists. Pull all measurements from the same corner so your studs line up with floor joists keep doing this until you hit the ridge of the roof. This will allow straight runs for you mechanicals from basement to the trusses.