Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 269
of pieces of a specific length. Each lineal foot of 2×4
equals 2/3 bd ft. Each lineal foot of 2×6 equals 1 bd ft.
Thus, the total lineal feet of walls and partitions can
be quickly converted to board measure, if required. For
example:
Wall and partition length =240
Total plate material =length × 3 +10%
=240 × 3 +10%
=792 lineal ft
=or 57 pcs
=2″ × 4″ × 14′-0″
11.15.1 Estimating Studs
The total length of all walls and partitions is also used
to estimate the number of studs required. When studs
are spaced 16″ OC, multiply the total length (in feet)
by 3/4. If the framing is 24″ OC, divide the total length
by 2. Next, add two more studs for each corner, inter-
section, and opening. Using 240′ for the wall length,
assume there are 12 corners, 10 intersections, 20 open-
ings, and the framing is 16″ OC. Find the number of
studs needed, including outside walls and partitions:
Total studs =total length × 3/4 +2
(corners +intersection +openings
=240 × 3 +2 (12 +10 +20) 4
60
=240 × 3 +2 (42) 4
=60 × 3 +84
=264
P R O C E D U R E
Installing Housewrap
To install housewrap on erected walls, follow these steps:
1. Start from the bottom at a corner. Leave about a
foot extra to wrap around the corner. Make sure the
roll is perfectly vertical. Otherwise, the wrap will run
either uphill or downhill on the wall. The bottom edge
should run along the top edge of the foundation.
2. Secure the wrap with staples.
3. Start at a corner and continue to unroll a few
feet at a time. Keep the sheet straight with
no wrinkles. Check that you are following the
foundation line.
4. Secure the wrap every 12″–18″ on a stud line.
5. Roll over window and door openings. Cut these
openings later. See Chapter 16, Windows and
Exterior Doors, for details.
Continued
P R O C E D U R E (continued)
6. Overlap every horizontal joint at least 6″. Upper
layers should overlap lower layers. Overlap vertical
joints 12″. Continue all around the building. Use a
1×4 to push the wrap into inside corners.
7. Secure all laps with housewrap tape.
Where the building has more than one floor, wrap can be
installed vertically:
1. Working from the top plate of the top story, staple a
2×2 to the end of the roll and lower it down the wall
to the band joist of the lowest floor.
2. Be sure to allow a flap at the beginning vertical
corner. Then, secure the wrap at the band joist.
Remove the 2×2.
3. Fold the flap around the corner and fasten it.
4. Staple 12″ apart along each stud.
5. Overlap each succeeding strip at least 12″.
Immediately tape the joints to prevent wind from
getting under the wrap.
Many carpenters estimate the number of studs by sim-
ply counting one stud (spaced 16″ OC) for each lineal foot
of wall space. The overrun on spacing provides the extras
needed for corners and openings. This method is rapid
and fairly accurate. However, it does not estimate enough
material for a small house divided into many rooms. On
the other hand, too many studs will likely be estimated for
a large house with wide windows and open interiors.
Material for headers must be calculated by analyz-
ing the requirements for each opening. Use the rough
opening width plus the thickness of the trimmers.
Ceiling joists are estimated by the same method used
for floor joists. Since ceilings are relatively free of open-
ings, no extras or waste needs to be included. Because
of this, the short method should not be applied to ceil-
ing joists. Use the following formula and include the
size of the joists required:
Number of ceiling joists =wall length × 3/4 +1
11.15.2 Estimating Headers
To estimate the amount of header material required,
begin by identifying which headers, if any, will be
doubled or built-up. If header hangers are being used
without trimmer studs, the header length is the actual
rough opening width. If trimmers are being used, add
3″ (1 1/2″ for the trimmer at each side) of the opening.
If LVL or other engineered lumber is to be used, add all
of the header lengths together and add several inches
for saw kerfs. If dimensional lumber will be used, add
all of the lengths and divide by 10 to determine the
number of 10′ pieces required. The same calculation
can be made to use 8′ pieces (divide by 8).
Chapter 11 Wall and Ceiling Framing 269
of pieces of a specific length. Each lineal foot of 2×4
equals 2/3 bd ft. Each lineal foot of 2×6 equals 1 bd ft.
Thus, the total lineal feet of walls and partitions can
be quickly converted to board measure, if required. For
example:
Wall and partition length =240
Total plate material =length × 3 +10%
=240 × 3 +10%
=792 lineal ft
=or 57 pcs
=2″ × 4″ × 14′-0″
11.15.1 Estimating Studs
The total length of all walls and partitions is also used
to estimate the number of studs required. When studs
are spaced 16″ OC, multiply the total length (in feet)
by 3/4. If the framing is 24″ OC, divide the total length
by 2. Next, add two more studs for each corner, inter-
section, and opening. Using 240′ for the wall length,
assume there are 12 corners, 10 intersections, 20 open-
ings, and the framing is 16″ OC. Find the number of
studs needed, including outside walls and partitions:
Total studs =total length × 3/4 +2
(corners +intersection +openings
=240 × 3 +2 (12 +10 +20) 4
60
=240 × 3 +2 (42) 4
=60 × 3 +84
=264
P R O C E D U R E
Installing Housewrap
To install housewrap on erected walls, follow these steps:
1. Start from the bottom at a corner. Leave about a
foot extra to wrap around the corner. Make sure the
roll is perfectly vertical. Otherwise, the wrap will run
either uphill or downhill on the wall. The bottom edge
should run along the top edge of the foundation.
2. Secure the wrap with staples.
3. Start at a corner and continue to unroll a few
feet at a time. Keep the sheet straight with
no wrinkles. Check that you are following the
foundation line.
4. Secure the wrap every 12″–18″ on a stud line.
5. Roll over window and door openings. Cut these
openings later. See Chapter 16, Windows and
Exterior Doors, for details.
Continued
P R O C E D U R E (continued)
6. Overlap every horizontal joint at least 6″. Upper
layers should overlap lower layers. Overlap vertical
joints 12″. Continue all around the building. Use a
1×4 to push the wrap into inside corners.
7. Secure all laps with housewrap tape.
Where the building has more than one floor, wrap can be
installed vertically:
1. Working from the top plate of the top story, staple a
2×2 to the end of the roll and lower it down the wall
to the band joist of the lowest floor.
2. Be sure to allow a flap at the beginning vertical
corner. Then, secure the wrap at the band joist.
Remove the 2×2.
3. Fold the flap around the corner and fasten it.
4. Staple 12″ apart along each stud.
5. Overlap each succeeding strip at least 12″.
Immediately tape the joints to prevent wind from
getting under the wrap.
Many carpenters estimate the number of studs by sim-
ply counting one stud (spaced 16″ OC) for each lineal foot
of wall space. The overrun on spacing provides the extras
needed for corners and openings. This method is rapid
and fairly accurate. However, it does not estimate enough
material for a small house divided into many rooms. On
the other hand, too many studs will likely be estimated for
a large house with wide windows and open interiors.
Material for headers must be calculated by analyz-
ing the requirements for each opening. Use the rough
opening width plus the thickness of the trimmers.
Ceiling joists are estimated by the same method used
for floor joists. Since ceilings are relatively free of open-
ings, no extras or waste needs to be included. Because
of this, the short method should not be applied to ceil-
ing joists. Use the following formula and include the
size of the joists required:
Number of ceiling joists =wall length × 3/4 +1
11.15.2 Estimating Headers
To estimate the amount of header material required,
begin by identifying which headers, if any, will be
doubled or built-up. If header hangers are being used
without trimmer studs, the header length is the actual
rough opening width. If trimmers are being used, add
3″ (1 1/2″ for the trimmer at each side) of the opening.
If LVL or other engineered lumber is to be used, add all
of the header lengths together and add several inches
for saw kerfs. If dimensional lumber will be used, add
all of the lengths and divide by 10 to determine the
number of 10′ pieces required. The same calculation
can be made to use 8′ pieces (divide by 8).