Scott Simpson
Cover image: © Scot Simpson
Cover design: Wiley
Copyright © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Published simultaneously in Canada.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Names: Simpson, Scot, author.
Title: Complete book of framing : an illustrated guide for residential
construction / Scot Simpson.
Description: Second edition—updated and expanded. | New Jersey : John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., [2019] | Includes index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2018054066 (print) | LCCN 2018054893 (ebook) | ISBN
9781119528500 (AdobePDF) | ISBN 9781119528517 (ePub) | ISBN 9781119528524 (paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Framing (Building) | Wooden-frame buildings—Design and
construction. | House framing.
Classification: LCC TH2301 (ebook) | LCC TH2301 .S483 2019 (print) | DDC
694/.2—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018054066
Scot Simpson has recently retired from a lifetime of framing houses, schools, and commercial buildings for 41 years. He owned a construction firm for 36 years. His firm, S.S. Framing, Inc., was based in Edmonds, WA. He developed and refined the methods in this book and used them to train his crews. Scot is the author of two other construction books and many articles for construction magazines, such as Fine Homebuilding and the Journal of Light Construction. He developed and hosted the video “Resisting the Forces of Earthquakes” with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the International Conference of Building Officials.
Scot is a member of the International Code Council (ICC), the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and was 2006 Chairman of the ABC Framers Council. He has presented training and seminars for the National Association of Homebuilders, the American Forest and Paper Association, and the International Conference of Building Officials, among others, in the U.S., Japan, Korea, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, and Mexico.
Scot holds an MBA from Kent State University, as well as a BA and technical certificates in carpentry instruction, lumber grading, and industrial first aid.
The author appreciates and would like to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations whose efforts and documents have provided content for this book:
Allan R. Simpson, Jr.; Dr. Alan Kelley; Lara Simpson, Bruce Simpson; Mars Simpson; Casey Miller; Dave Neiger; Jeff Harding; John E. Farrier APA, the Engineered Wood Association; The Association of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); Digital Canal Corporation; iLevel, a Weyerhaeuser Business, Boise, Idaho; The International Code Council (ICC); The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA); Simpson Lumber Company; The Simpson Strong-Tie Company; The Truss Plate Institute; the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Mapping Project; the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA); and Premier Building Systems.
I was a framing contractor for 36 years. I've spent most of my career as a lead framer, directing my framing crews and training workers to become framers. In my teaching, I found that much of the information I needed was not available in a good book, so I wrote one, Framing & Rough Carpentry. As I started spending more of my time training and working with lead framers, I again looked for a good, easy-to-understand reference. I didn't find what I needed, so I wrote another book, Advanced Framing Methods, that provides all the information a framer needs to move up to the next level—becoming a lead framer. The Complete Book of Framing is the combination of those two books, updated with full-color illustrations and photographs, plus additional information—all presented in what I've come to think of as a “framer-friendly” format.
Now, as a retired framer, I realize how much I abused my body during a lifetime of framing. While updating this book I added a section on “Healthy Framing”—what you need to know about how framing affects your body; and what you can do to minimize those effects.
If you're a novice with no framing experience, you'll see the basics of framing shown in a simple, step-by-step style that makes it easy to learn. Where possible, I included both photographs and drawings for each step—for quick and complete learning. The advanced information will be more difficult for a novice to understand, but getting a good feel for the framing basics that come before it will help. The more advanced tasks are also explained with photos and clear drawings.
If you're already an experienced framer, the book gives you some unique tools that you won't find anywhere else. For example, after struggling with rafters and rake walls for years, I developed a diagonal percent system that makes it easier. I use this for finding rafter lengths and rake wall stud heights. The book also explains all the “classic” methods for doing these tasks, but once you try the diagonal percent system, I doubt you'll go back to the old methods. Another example of the book's unique style of presentation is the layout language, which I developed for my first book.
If you're a lead framer, all the basic framing steps presented are important for reference and to help you teach and train crews. Most valuable, however, will be the guidance on managing a framing crew. Once you become a lead framer, your productivity is defined by the productivity of your crew. You'll need to think about the information they need and how to teach and manage them most effectively. Chapter 14 of this book is like a mini framer management course.
The charts and graphs in the book present information that is needed to manage a framing crew, but is not readily available. For example, the International Building Code chart makes it easy to reference the latest information governing framing. The Standard Framing Dimensions chart gathers the information that you “sort-of” remember, but it helps to have it handy for quick reference.
This book covers all the major topics related to framing. Each is presented in the easiest learning method. Because the framing tasks are diverse and vary in complexity, the format also varies a little throughout the book. All of the topics are covered in a framer-friendly way.
Framing is very rewarding work, both physically and mentally. One of the biggest challenges, however, is getting accurate information every time so that your framing is structurally sound, and provides the frame for a beautiful building. This book will assist you in that task.
Happy Framing,
Scot
Note: This book is intended to provide useful information for understanding residential framing, but it is not a substitute for professional construction, engineering, or repair evaluations, recommendations, or services. Readers should obtain assistance from appropriate experts, as needed.
The trade of wood framing comprises the rough carpentry skills needed to produce the “skeleton” of a building and its first layer of “skin.” The skeleton consists of the structural lumber forming the floors, walls, and roof. The skin consists of the lumber that encloses the skeleton and provides a surface for subsequent layers of protective and decorative finish materials.
This chapter is an illustrated review of a framer's most basic tools, materials, and terminology. This basic information is often not even taught on the job site, so if you don't know it when you arrive for work, you will have to play a guessing game or ask a lot of questions.
The detailed illustrations serve as a handy reference and help to reduce confusion when different words are used for the same item. Confusion can arise when framers move from job site to job site and work with different people. For example, bottom plates are often known as sole plates, backers as partitions, and trimmers as jack studs. But it doesn't matter what they are called as long as you know what they are. There is also a more detailed list of framing terms with definitions at the back of the book.
The suggested organization for a framing tool truck presented in this chapter is just an example of how a truck might be set up for tool storage. Its purpose is, once again, to reduce confusion and make the job easier. It is amazing how much time can be spent looking for tools and nails if they aren't put where you expect them to be.
Bearing walls support the main weight of an upper portion of a building, such as a ceiling, floor, or roof. Nonbearing walls provide little or no support to those upper portions. Remove nonbearing walls, and the upper portions will stand; remove bearing walls, and the upper portions will fall.
Lumber is sized in “nominal,” as opposed to “actual,” dimensions. A nominal dimension rounds off the actual dimension to the next highest whole number. For example, a piece of lumber that actually measures 1-½" × 3-½" is rounded off to the nominal 2" × 4".
Sheathing comes in 4' × 8' sheets. The thicknesses most commonly used in framing are ½", 5/8", and ¾".
Dens Glass® gypsum sheathing is a brand that has fiberglass mat, which provides mold and moisture resistance and is gold in color.
Engineered wood products are becoming more and more a part of our everyday framing. The strengths of these different products vary. Whenever you use engineered wood, it is important that you understand the qualities of the specific product you are planning to use, as well as structural considerations and any restrictions on cutting and installation.
Engineered wood products can be divided into two categories: engineered panel products and engineered lumber products. Engineered panel products include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), waferboard, composite, and structural particleboard. Engineered lumber products include I-joists, glu-lam beams, LVLs (laminated veneer lumber), PSLs (parallel strand lumber), LSLs (laminated strand lumber), OSL (oriented strand lumber), and CLT (cross-laminated timber.)
Engineered wood products have structural qualities different than those of traditional wood, so they must be used within the specification set by the manufacturer. When these products are specified on the plans, the architect or engineer who specified them will have checked with the structural engineer to ensure proper use.
Engineered panel products have been around for years and are treated in a manner similar to engineered wood products. The 4' × 8' typical sheets are strongest in the direction of the grain. For floors and roofs, these sheets should be laid perpendicular to the direction of the supporting members. The strength of the panels comes from the panel cantilevering over the supports—so each piece should be at least as long as two support members.
Glu-lam beams, LVLs, PSLs, and LSLs can be cut to length, but should not be drilled or notched without checking with manufacturers' specifications.
I-joists are becoming more widely used. Although the Engineered Wood Association has a standard for I-joists, not all I-joists manufacturers subscribe to that standard. Consequently, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions whenever using I-joists. Installation instructions are usually delivered with the load for each job. The illustration shows some of the typical instructions.
Certain features are common among all I-joists. Rim and blocking may be of I-joist or solid rim board. Typical widths are 9-½", 11-7/8", 14", 16", and 20". Web stiffeners are used to add to the strength at bearing points. If the bearing point is at the bottom flange, then the web stiffener, which is the thickness of the flange on one side of the web, is held tight to the bottom. There should be at least a 1/8" space between the top flange and the web stiffener. If the bearing point is at the top flange, then the web stiffener is held tight to the top with at least 1/8" between the bottom flange and the web stiffener.
Squash blocks are pieces of lumber installed alongside TJIs at points of heavy loading. They prevent the weight from crushing the TJI. They are typically dimensional lumber like 2 × 4s or 2 × 6s. They should be cut 1/16" longer than the I-joist to take the load off the I-joists.
I-joist hardware, such as hangers, is usually delivered with the I-joist package. However, standard I-joist hardware can be purchased separately.
I-joists typically require a 1-¾" bearing. You can cut the end of an I-joist as long as it is not cut beyond a line straight up from the end of the bearing. However, no cuts should extend beyond a vertical line drawn from the end of the bearing point.
Lumber and wood structural panels are graded for strength and different uses. Each piece of lumber is stamped for identification before it is shipped. Architects specify grades of lumber and wood structural panels for various purposes, and framers need to make sure the right wood is used.
It's inevitable at some point that future framers will cut the cord and hose completely. The awkwardness of the cord, and the safety issues with having cords laying around, cause difficulties. With electric cords there is also the problem of rain and keeping the connections dry so that they don't trip the circuit breaker. There is also the time and difficulty of rolling up, out, and storing the cords. All in all, cords are a real pain; however, they do provide a lot of power.
The cord has already been cut for some electric tools, and manufacturers are coming out with more powerful battery tools all the time. Battery tools do have their own set of problems. There must be a plan for recharging and enough batteries to make sure that you don't lose power. There is also the reality that batteries from different manufacturers are not interchangeable.
Cutting the cord requires purchase of battery tools. The decision on the best tool is complicated. Different manufacturer's batteries are not interchangeable; however, similar-voltage batteries of different tools by the same manufacturer typically are interchangeable. It is efficient to have tools of the same voltage by the same manufacturer so that the chargers and batteries can interchange. A problem arises when you decide that one tool (e.g., circular saw) is made better by one manufacturer and another tool (e.g., drill) is made better by another manufacturer. One solution is to make a list of all the tools you need and then summarize the benefits and disadvantages of each of the tools from each manufacturer.
To do a brief analysis, it is important to have an understanding of variables that make a battery tool good. To start with, it is important to understand the basics of electricity measurements. Watts (power) is equal to amps (current) times volts (pressure). Watts = amps × volts. Torque is the force produced to turn an object. Torque differs from power or watts in that it depends on the makeup of the tool, while watts indicates the electric power delivered to the tool.
Measurements for Analyzing Tools
The amount of time a battery will last before needing a recharge is the amp hours and should be listed in the specifications for the tool; however, that is not always the case.
Brushless technology is used on many new tools and will probably take over for brushed tools in the future. Brushless eliminates the brushes touching the commutator in the motors and therefore reduces heat and friction, which reduce the power output. Brushless tools are also lighter.
There are other factors that you will want to consider in evaluating battery tools, like the weight of the tool, if it has ergonomic padded hand grips, rafter hooks, electric brakes for circular saws, and variable speed for drills and reciprocating saws. Compare foot- or inch-pounds of torque for hammer drills and impact wrenches, maximum capacity for drill hole sizes, and many other advantages that manufacturers are always coming up with.
If you're a professional framer, organizing your tools helps keep them in good condition and helps you find them when you need them—saving valuable time on the job.
Accuracy in measuring, marking, and cutting lumber is a very important framing skill to master. Periodic checks should be made of the condition of tape measures and the squareness of saw tables and blades.
A typical saw blade removes a channel of wood approximately 1/8" wide, called a kerf. This must be taken into consideration when you make a cut.
Suppose you want to cut a board 25" long. Measure and make a mark at 25", then square a line through the mark with a square. The work piece— the 25" piece you want to use—will be to the left of the line; the waste piece will be to the right. Guide your saw along the right edge of the line so the kerf is made in the waste piece. If your cut is perfectly made, the work piece will be left showing exactly half the width of your pencil line, and will measure exactly 25". Thus, the old carpenter's saying: “Leave the line.”
Moisture and warmth will promote decay of most woods. To prevent decay, naturally durable woods or preservative-treated wood must be used when the wood is exposed to moisture.
Decay-resistant woods include redwood, cedar, black locust, and black walnut. Preservative-treated wood is treated according to certain industrial specifications. Preservative-treated wood is most commonly used because of its availability.
Preservative-treated or naturally durable woods should be used in the following locations:
The treating of wood in recent years has gone through some major changes. The most important thing to know is that there are different types of preservative treatment and that some of the treatments require specially coated fasteners to prevent corrosion.
A little history will help in understanding. For years the predominant chemical for preserving dimension lumber had been chromated copper arsenate (CCA). However, health concerns arose because of the arsenic content in CCA, and in 2004 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required labels on CCA, which had the effect of disallowing the use of CCA-treated wood for most residential uses.
The first commonly used substitutes were copper azole (CA) and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). These eliminated the arsenic but created a different problem because they were corrosive to steel fasteners. To solve this problem, hardware manufacturers began making their common fasteners with a galvanized coating. For example, if you see a Simpson Strong-Tie hardware labeled Z-max you know it has been coated so that it can be used with CA and ACQ. Steel nails also had to be coated when used with lumber treated with CA or ACQ. Typically they are galvanized. Stainless steel is a better substitute for hardware and nails because it is less corrosive, but it is expensive.
Sodium Borate (SBX) preservative treatment is another substitute for CCA that does not have the problem of causing corrosion of steel fasteners, however it will wash out of the lumber with liquid exposure. It is specified for use above ground and continuously protected from liquid water.
New products are continually being developed. Carbon-based compounds are among these and could prove to be less corrosive and natural in color.
The 2018 IBC and IRC code states that preservative treated wood should be in accordance with AWPA U1 and M4 (American Wood Protection Association Use Category System) for the species, product, preservative, and end use. The lumber tag attached to the treated wood will give the use category to assist you in making sure you are using the correctly treated wood.
All the different labels and chemicals can be confusing. Most importantly, make sure that you are using the right treatment for the task at hand and that you are using corrosive resistant fasteners where necessary. To check the correct use of treated lumber, read the tag attached to the lumber or ask the lumber supplier. For CA or ACQ treatment, you will need corrosion-resistant fasteners; for SBX or other borate treatments, you will not need corrosion-resistant fasteners. Beyond that, check on the fastener boxes for specifications or ask the lumber or fastener supplier.
If you are framing every day, the nailing patterns in this chapter will soon become second nature. For the part-time framer, they can serve as a quick reference.
Building codes and generally accepted practices were followed in developing the nailing patterns in this chapter. When the plans call for other nailing patterns, however, be sure to follow them.
You will notice in this chapter that there are different nails specified for the same nailing. There are many different styles of nails. The five most frequently used categories are:
You will see a 3" × 0.131" nail specified frequently. This nail is the most common P-nail, or pneumatic gun nail, used.
The common nails are listed because they are typically specified by building codes. Most of the tests that are done to determine the strength needed use common nails. Box nails and sinker nails are listed because they are easier to nail, and less likely to split the wood. They are also commonly found at nail suppliers. The gun nails are listed because nail guns are used most often. Positive placement nails are made specially for nailing on hardware. They only work in positive placement nail guns.
Please note that common nails are listed with “common” written after the size. If the nail size has “common” after it, you can only use common nails. If it does not, you can use either common, box, or sinker nails.
The International Residential Code (IRC) is similar to the International Building Code (IBC) except it only covers one- and two-family dwellings. The patterns in this chapter are based on the 2018 IBC, which, in some cases, lists more nail options than the 2018 IRC.
This chapter illustrates the basic sequence for floor framing. Straight cuts and tight nailing make for a neat and professional job. Pay particular attention to the corners. It is important that they stay square and plumb up from the walls below, so the building does not gain or lose in size. Also pay close attention to laying the first sheet of subfloor sheathing. If it is laid straight and square, the entire subfloor will go down easily and you can avoid making extra cuts. If you make a sloppy start on the first sheet, you'll struggle to make each sheet fit, you'll waste valuable time, and you won't be proud of the results.
This chapter presents the 9 steps of floor framing.
Spread joists so crowns are in the same direction.The crown is the highest point of a curved piece of lumber.
If the joists are resting on a foundation instead of a stud wall, then a sill plate, or mudsill, would be attached to the foundation, and the joists would rest on the plate or sill.
If joists lap over an interior wall, they can be rough-cut approximately two inches beyond the wall. Do not let lapped joists go more than six inches beyond the wall.
Whenever the distance from the edge of the wall to the joist is greater than 6", place drywall backing on top of the wall.
The width of the 2 × 6 provides for 1" of nailing surface on either side of the 2 × 4 wall.
Each sheet must be supported by at least 3 joists.