Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
250 Section 2 Foundations and Framing
Then, when the first siding panel is installed, the
first edge will be even with the outside of the siding
and the second edge is centered on a stud.
P R O C E D U R E
Laying Out Plates for the
First Outside Wall
1. On the rough floor, mark the width of the plates on
all sides from outside in. Snap a chalk line to mark
inside edge of the wall frame. Place sole and top
plates along main sidewalls. Align the ends with floor
frame and mark regular stud spacing along both
plates, Figure 11-11.
2. Study the architectural plans and lay out the
centerline for the rough opening of each door and
window.
3. Measure and mark off half of the width of the
opening on each side of the centerline.
4. Mark the plate for trimmer studs outside of these
points. On each side of the trimmer stud, include
marks for a full-length stud. Identify positions with the
letter T for trimmer studs and X for full-length studs.
5. Mark all stud spaces located between the trimmers
with the letter C. This designates them as cripple studs.
6. Lay out the centerlines where intersecting
partitions butt. Add full-length studs at these points,
if required by the method of construction.
7. When blocking is used between regular studs, the
centerline is needed as a guide for positioning the
backing strip.
8. Carefully plan the layout of wall corners so they
correctly fit together when the wall sections are erected.
11.2.2 Story Pole
A story pole is a long measuring stick created and
used by a carpenter on the job. It represents the actual
wall frame with markings made at the proper height
for every horizontal member of the wall frame—sole
plate, rough windowsill, headers, and top plates. See
Figure 11‑12. Its use saves time that would be spent
checking the drawings for these dimensions.
Since the pole must be light and easy for a carpenter
to handle, it is usually a strip of 1×2 or 1×4 lumber. It
must be long enough to reach from the rough floor to
the underside of the ceiling or floor joists above.
When marking a story pole, transfer all of the heights
for horizontal members from the drawings to the pole
at one time. Measurements must be accurate and lines
must be square across the pole. With this guide, there is
no need to consult the plans time and again to find the
lengths of studs, trimmers, and cripple studs. All this
information is conveniently listed on the pole. A story
pole is particularly useful in split-level construction,
multistory buildings, or where stub walls are needed. A
stub wall is a short wall that might be used, for exam-
ple, to separate a breakfast nook from the main kitchen
area. Stub walls are also common in framing split-level
houses, where one level is not a full story above the one
beside it.
When the header height of the doors is different from
that of the windows, mark the height on the other side
of the story pole. This keeps the two heights separate.
In multistory or split-level structures, a story pole may
be required for each level.
Step 1—Regular Stud Layout A
16uni2033 16uni2033 16uni2033
Top plate
Sole plate
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑11. Layout of sole and top plates. A—Regular stud spacing has been marked. B—Layout is converted for a window
opening. Stud type is marked
Corner post will have
blocking between studs
Position of R.O.
Rough opening (R.O.)
Step 2—Layout for Rough Opening B
T
T
T
T
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
X
X X
X X
X
X
X
X X
X X
C
250 Section 2 Foundations and Framing
Then, when the first siding panel is installed, the
first edge will be even with the outside of the siding
and the second edge is centered on a stud.
P R O C E D U R E
Laying Out Plates for the
First Outside Wall
1. On the rough floor, mark the width of the plates on
all sides from outside in. Snap a chalk line to mark
inside edge of the wall frame. Place sole and top
plates along main sidewalls. Align the ends with floor
frame and mark regular stud spacing along both
plates, Figure 11-11.
2. Study the architectural plans and lay out the
centerline for the rough opening of each door and
window.
3. Measure and mark off half of the width of the
opening on each side of the centerline.
4. Mark the plate for trimmer studs outside of these
points. On each side of the trimmer stud, include
marks for a full-length stud. Identify positions with the
letter T for trimmer studs and X for full-length studs.
5. Mark all stud spaces located between the trimmers
with the letter C. This designates them as cripple studs.
6. Lay out the centerlines where intersecting
partitions butt. Add full-length studs at these points,
if required by the method of construction.
7. When blocking is used between regular studs, the
centerline is needed as a guide for positioning the
backing strip.
8. Carefully plan the layout of wall corners so they
correctly fit together when the wall sections are erected.
11.2.2 Story Pole
A story pole is a long measuring stick created and
used by a carpenter on the job. It represents the actual
wall frame with markings made at the proper height
for every horizontal member of the wall frame—sole
plate, rough windowsill, headers, and top plates. See
Figure 11‑12. Its use saves time that would be spent
checking the drawings for these dimensions.
Since the pole must be light and easy for a carpenter
to handle, it is usually a strip of 1×2 or 1×4 lumber. It
must be long enough to reach from the rough floor to
the underside of the ceiling or floor joists above.
When marking a story pole, transfer all of the heights
for horizontal members from the drawings to the pole
at one time. Measurements must be accurate and lines
must be square across the pole. With this guide, there is
no need to consult the plans time and again to find the
lengths of studs, trimmers, and cripple studs. All this
information is conveniently listed on the pole. A story
pole is particularly useful in split-level construction,
multistory buildings, or where stub walls are needed. A
stub wall is a short wall that might be used, for exam-
ple, to separate a breakfast nook from the main kitchen
area. Stub walls are also common in framing split-level
houses, where one level is not a full story above the one
beside it.
When the header height of the doors is different from
that of the windows, mark the height on the other side
of the story pole. This keeps the two heights separate.
In multistory or split-level structures, a story pole may
be required for each level.
Step 1—Regular Stud Layout A
16uni2033 16uni2033 16uni2033
Top plate
Sole plate
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑11. Layout of sole and top plates. A—Regular stud spacing has been marked. B—Layout is converted for a window
opening. Stud type is marked
Corner post will have
blocking between studs
Position of R.O.
Rough opening (R.O.)
Step 2—Layout for Rough Opening B
T
T
T
T
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
X
X X
X X
X
X
X
X X
X X
C