A home’s framing may not be visible, but it will dictate the integrity and longevity of a home. Improper framing is usually the culprit for premature drywall cracking in ceilings and walls, not to mention unsafe conditions. There are a few basic principles of framing that should always be followed.
Wall Framing
Modern framed walls should be built using either 2-by-6 pine, fur, or engineered members called studs. The studs should be secured no more than 16 inches on center (O.C.) along a wall. This provides proper support for the roof rafters or the above floor. For walls over 12 feet tall, 2-by-8 framing should be used to maintain wall stability.
Floor Framing
Floor framing must be a minimum of 2-by-12 inch Douglas Fir or floor joists of comparable strength. These floor joists can span 12 feet before they need to be supported by a laminated beam, which are multiple dimensional wood members nailed together to form one beam. TJIs (Truss Joist I-Beam) and floor trusses are both engineered floor joist members that are much stronger than 2-by-12 floor joists and can span 18-24 feet, depending on the width of the floor joists, without beam support
Roof Framing
Roof framing can be either hand framed or raised by installing manufactured trusses. Because there are so many roof styles, there are many ways to frame the roof structure, but there are a few similarities that always exist.
