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Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Framing

Guide Home
  • Introduction to Framing
  • Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Framing Floors
  • Framing Walls
  • Framing Stairs
  • Framing Roofs
  • Efficient Framing Methods
  • Timber Framing
Building Skills

Framing Basics: 3 Simple Tips for Framing a Wall

By Official Fine Homebuilding Post

With Larry Haun and Scott Grice

One way to make framing easy is to build a wall flat on the deck. Sometimes you have to pull it out from its normal position, where it’s going to be permanently, to the flat deck. Pull the two plates apart, knock the nails over, and spread the walls apart to the distance of the studs.

 


Related Vidoes


Simple Steps for Window- and Door-Framing Layout

Tips for Laying Out Studs on Wall Plates

6 Tips for Spreading Wall Plates on a Subfloor

The Top 10 Tips for Wall-Framing Layout on a New Subfloor


Further Resources


Anatomy of a Stud-Framed Wall

How It Works: Wall Framing

1. Frame Rough Openings First
Find the header, and lay it into position. If there is no top cripple, the header is nailed right up against the top plate. Using a nail gun makes the task even easier. Nail the studs into the king stud, which falls right against the header, and nail it into the end of the header. Do the same on the other end.

2. Ways to Frame Corners
Using a couple of the block scraps that are lying on the deck, nail the corner stud in, and pin-nail the blocks in.

Another way to make a corner on a 2×6 wall is to tie it in using a 2×6 on the flat, nailed in an L-shape with the end 2×4 of the wall. It allows 1-1/2 in. of the 2×6 to stick out on the other side so that drywall can tie into the corner. Nail it together in the L, making sure it’s flush on the outside, and lay in your wall. This method saves wood; you don’t have to use scraps.

3. Nail the Trimmers
The trimmers are cut 4 in. to 5-1/2 in. short of your wall stud. Some people nail them in hard, but there’s another way to do it. Put one nail in at the center. Nail on the double top plate. It’s important to nail the top plate right over the studs, which make a clear passage for an electrician or plumber.

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Previous: Garage-Wall Framing: Gable Next: Fast and Accurate Wall Framing: Episode 4 – Raise and Straighten the Walls

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Framing

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Framing Walls

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Introduction to Framing
  • House Framing Concepts, Tips, and More
Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Tools
  • Techniques
  • Framing Lumber
  • Steel
Framing Floors
  • Floor Framing
  • Engineered Floors
  • Floor Sheathing
Framing Walls
  • Wall Framing Basics
  • Layout
  • Wall Assembly
  • Raising and Straightening Walls
  • Framing Rough Openings
  • Blocking
Framing Stairs
  • Stair Layout
  • Building Stairs
Framing Roofs
  • Roof-Framing Basics
  • Roof Design
  • Laying Out and Cutting Rafters
  • Framing Valleys
  • Working with Trusses
  • Dormers
  • Special Situations
Efficient Framing Methods
  • Advanced Framing
  • Double-Stud Walls
Timber Framing
  • Timber-Frame Construction
  • Timber-Frame Design

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