House Framing
Fort Worth, TX

Look For Softwoods

Wood is the most common material for house framing. It is cheaper per square foot than other materials and is easy to find. In most cases, it is used for exterior walls. Pressure-treated lumber is recommended. You can also use scrap lumber for your walls.

The first step in house framing is to lay out the top and bottom plates. You will also need to plan where your doors and windows will go. You can do this by measuring the dimensions of each wall. You can then attach the top and bottom plates to your walls. You should then attach a second top plate to hold the walls together. You should also attach the king studs to the top and bottom plates. You will need to make sure the king studs are attached with framing nails.

Using a string line can help you straighten the walls. You can also buy precut studs in lengths of 116-5/8 inches. The wall studs are made from 2x6s or 2x4s. They are usually spaced 16 or 24 inches on center. You may need to cut the studs shorter than the finished wall height to allow room for your door and window frames.

The walls are then supported by the floor joists. These joists are nailed perpendicular to the rim joists. The 2-x-10-inch ceiling joists are placed 16 inches on center. You should also make sure the floor joists are set straight. A bowed wall will prevent cabinets from being installed. You can also use two-stud corner framing instead of studs.

Home Foundation

Framing takes place way after the foundation was set for the home. The poured concrete foundation and this wood or metal framing is the backbone supporting your house and provides a solid base for all of your home's systems. In order to build a sturdy foundation, you will need to place a sill plate on each side of your foundation. In the case of new construction, you will need a second top plate.

In order to ensure that your walls are strong, you'll want to ensure they are straight. You'll also need to consider the external and internal forces that your walls must resist. These forces include bending moments, tension, shear, and live and dead loads. You'll also need to reinforce your walls with sheathing. Sheathing is the part of the walls that is not insulated. This strengthens the insulation and provides a firm base for siding and other exterior components.

Budgeting

The type of material you choose for framing your house will impact the cost. Most people use lightweight softwoods such as cedar or Douglas fir. These are cheaper and more readily available than hardwoods. They will also resist movement in response to moisture.