House Framing Requirements

Stud Material

• The most basic decision to make with regard to framing is the size of studs to use for building the walls. For years, using 2x4 studs was the standard, and houses built in warm areas of the country mostly still rely on 2x4 construction. However, in northern areas or for houses in which energy efficiency is a concern, 2x6 studs are an option to consider. The lumber for framing will be more costly, but the advantage is that you have a deeper cavity to insulate, providing the house with a more efficient heat barrier.

Nailing

• The International Residential Code has regulations that govern how frames need to be nailed together. The 16d nails are the standard used in framing for nailing through the plate onto the end of the stud. For this, you only need two nails. Four are required for toenailing, but you should only use 8d nails for that. Know what building codes specifically apply in your area and to the type of construction you are doing to ensure your framing meets the required legal standards.

Window Headers

• Most exterior walls of a house have a window. However, those walls are also load-bearing. The glass in a window is not suited to sustain the weight of a roof, so a header needs to be constructed and built into the frame to distribute the weight to the studs on either side of the window instead of putting any stress on the window itself. A header should be made of three layers. The exterior and interior are made out of a vertical 2x6 or 2x8 board with a piece of plywood placed in between them. For windows over 6 feet long, you should build a 2x8 header.

Termite Protection

• The American Wood Council has a set of guidelines called Details for Conventional Wood Frame Construction. This document outlines the required practices for preventing future termite infestations in a home. This helps ensure the integrity of the framing after it has been build. These guidelines include maintaining a clean work site free of wood chips and other wood debris after the job is finished, and ensuring that proper drainage keeps moisture away from the frame. It also states that the site should be treated with a spray to prevent termites after construction is finished.