Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 251
11.3 Wall Sections
Wall sections are assembled on their edges on the
rough flooring. All plates, studs, headers, and rough
sills are nailed in place.
Wall sheathing is often applied to the frame before it
is raised. Make certain that the framework is square be-
fore starting the application. Diagonal measurements
across the corners must be equal. To keep the frame
square while the sheathing is being applied, fasten a di-
agonal brace across one corner.
P R O C E D U R E
Constructing a Wall Section
After the layout of the studs has been marked on the
sole plate and top plate, use the following procedure to
construct the wall:
1. Working from the plans or a story pole, cut the
various stud lengths. It is seldom necessary to
cut standard full-length studs. These are usually
precision end trimmed (P.E.T.) at the mill and
delivered to the construction site ready to assemble.
2. Cut the headers and rough sills. Take their lengths
directly from the plate layout. Assemble the headers.
3. Move the top plate away from the sole plate about
a stud length. Turn both plates on edge with the
layout marks inward. Place a full-length stud, crown
up, at each position marked on the top plate and
sole plate. See Figure 11‑13.
4. Nail the top plate and the sole plate to the full-length
studs using two 16d nails or 3 1/4″ nails if a nail gun
is being used.
5. Set the trimmer studs in place on the sole plate and
nail them to the full-length studs.
6. Place the header so it is tight against the ends of the
trimmers. Nail through the full-length stud into the
header using 3 1/4″ nails, Figure 11‑14.
7. The upper cripple studs, if used, can be installed
after the header is installed.
8. For window openings, transfer marks for the cripple
studs from the sole plate to the rough sill and assemble
the cripple studs with 3 1/4″ nails, Figure 11‑15. If the
wall section is erected before installing the cripples,
toenail the lower ends of the cripple studs to the sole
plate. Install the rough windowsill.
9. Add studs or blocking at positions where partitions
will intersect.
10. Install any wall bracing that may be required for
special installations. Remember, the inside of the
wall is face down.
11. If the sheathing is to be applied before the wall is
erected, it is the last component added after all
framing is in place.
Rough sill
Sole plate
Rough sill
Rough sill
Double plate
Header
Use 1×2
or 1×4
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑12. A story pole is a handy guide that marks the
height of every horizontal member and the length of every
vertical member of the wall frame. It usually extends only
one story, but may include more.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑13. Assemble the full-length studs and plates as
shown. Place a stud at every position marked on the plate.
Turn crowns upward and nail through the plates into the
ends of the studs.
Living
room
windows,
rough
opening
Bedroom
windows,
rough
opening
Floor
to
top
of
rough
window
opening
Floor
to
top
of
wall
plate Bath,
kitchen
windows
rough
opening
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 251
11.3 Wall Sections
Wall sections are assembled on their edges on the
rough flooring. All plates, studs, headers, and rough
sills are nailed in place.
Wall sheathing is often applied to the frame before it
is raised. Make certain that the framework is square be-
fore starting the application. Diagonal measurements
across the corners must be equal. To keep the frame
square while the sheathing is being applied, fasten a di-
agonal brace across one corner.
P R O C E D U R E
Constructing a Wall Section
After the layout of the studs has been marked on the
sole plate and top plate, use the following procedure to
construct the wall:
1. Working from the plans or a story pole, cut the
various stud lengths. It is seldom necessary to
cut standard full-length studs. These are usually
precision end trimmed (P.E.T.) at the mill and
delivered to the construction site ready to assemble.
2. Cut the headers and rough sills. Take their lengths
directly from the plate layout. Assemble the headers.
3. Move the top plate away from the sole plate about
a stud length. Turn both plates on edge with the
layout marks inward. Place a full-length stud, crown
up, at each position marked on the top plate and
sole plate. See Figure 11‑13.
4. Nail the top plate and the sole plate to the full-length
studs using two 16d nails or 3 1/4″ nails if a nail gun
is being used.
5. Set the trimmer studs in place on the sole plate and
nail them to the full-length studs.
6. Place the header so it is tight against the ends of the
trimmers. Nail through the full-length stud into the
header using 3 1/4″ nails, Figure 11‑14.
7. The upper cripple studs, if used, can be installed
after the header is installed.
8. For window openings, transfer marks for the cripple
studs from the sole plate to the rough sill and assemble
the cripple studs with 3 1/4″ nails, Figure 11‑15. If the
wall section is erected before installing the cripples,
toenail the lower ends of the cripple studs to the sole
plate. Install the rough windowsill.
9. Add studs or blocking at positions where partitions
will intersect.
10. Install any wall bracing that may be required for
special installations. Remember, the inside of the
wall is face down.
11. If the sheathing is to be applied before the wall is
erected, it is the last component added after all
framing is in place.
Rough sill
Sole plate
Rough sill
Rough sill
Double plate
Header
Use 1×2
or 1×4
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑12. A story pole is a handy guide that marks the
height of every horizontal member and the length of every
vertical member of the wall frame. It usually extends only
one story, but may include more.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 11‑13. Assemble the full-length studs and plates as
shown. Place a stud at every position marked on the plate.
Turn crowns upward and nail through the plates into the
ends of the studs.
Living
room
windows,
rough
opening
Bedroom
windows,
rough
opening
Floor
to
top
of
rough
window
opening
Floor
to
top
of
wall
plate Bath,
kitchen
windows
rough
opening