Wall Framing & Alignment Levels

Wall Framing

• A wall frame consists of top and bottom plates and wall studs of either 2-by-4 inch or 2-by-6-inch lumber that usually is pine, fir or hemlock. Trimmers and king studs are used in walls with window and/or door openings, and headers are added for load-bearing walls. The key to building a properly aligned wall frame is to construct the frame on a level surface using quality, straight pieces of lumber.

Plumbing and Lining

• Once a structure is framed, it is vital that the walls are plumbed and lined before the building process continues. "Plumbing" walls means measuring each wall's vertical alignment using a level, checking to ensure each wall is straight. "Lining" walls requires the use of a tight string, or line, to measure the top and bottom of the walls to check that they are straight horizontally.

Consequences

• The process of plumbing and lining takes a few hours for most single-dwelling homes, but it saves valuable time in the rest of the construction process. A crooked home is a disaster for the builder. The carpenter needs to measure every additional joist and/or rafter before cutting to compensate for the crooked design, resulting in inevitable delays and bowed siding.

Advanced Wall Framing

• The U.S. Department of Energy recommends using advanced wall framing techniques to reduce the cost and waste of building supplies and to increase energy efficiency. It recommends using 2-by-6-inch lumber and increasing spacing between framing lumber to 24 inches on-center where building codes allow. The department further recommends using a two-stud corner frame and eliminating headers in non-bearing walls. In-line framing is suggested for a two-story structure, which lines studs and joists to distribute all vertical pressure directly down through the structure.

Warning

• Wall framing design affects a structure's integrity and directly affects the safety of the structure's inhabitants. A permit and inspection is required for any framing project that falls under building codes. Planning for and scheduling a building permit and inspection in advance can help to avoid building delays and fines. A home's warranty may be compromised if its framing does not follow its area's building codes.