How to: Exterior Framing

Lay out walls according to the house plan. Mark a top and bottom plate for each wall. Set the two 2-by-4s side by side on edge, 2 inch faces up, and measure the stud locations with a tape measure. Draw parallel lines 1-1/2 inches apart across both plates to mark the studs. Measure the first stud on each wall 15-1/4 inches in from the end of the wall and other studs 16 inches from the inside line of that location. The last stud may be less than 16 inches.

Mark for any double studs or door or window locations according to the plans. Double studs usually are required on at least one wall at corners. Make double studs by cutting foot-long lengths of 2-by-4 which are nailed between two studs in at least two locations. Leave space between regular studs for door and window openings. Follow the plans to locate those wall elements.

Build basic wall frames on a slab, driveway or other level surface. Lay the top and bottom plates out and install corner studs with 16d framing nails driven with a hammer through the plates; use two nails on each stud end and make sure studs are within the marked lines. Use a framing square to get corners square; double check by measuring corner to corner and adjusting the frame until those diagonals are equal. Add other studs in marked spaces until the wall is filled.

Make door and window rough frames separately on a level surface. Get the measurements for openings from a house plan. Lay two studs on a level surface and fasten them at the top with 2-by-4s cut with a circular saw to the correct opening width. Cut a 2-by-6-inch header to the specified width and nail it level horizontally at the designated height to two full studs. Cut "trimmer" studs to fit between the bottom of the header and the bottom of the wall opening. Nail them to the full studs on either side, driving nails from each side.

Frame window openings with a header but also with a 2-by-4 "footer" horizontally at the bottom of a window opening, nailed in place through the studs. Add short studs cut to fit between the top of the header and the top plate and between the bottom of a window opening and the bottom plate.

Install completed door and window frames at designated spaces in the partially-framed walls. Nail the full studs on either side in place with framing nails through the top and bottom plates. Set completed walls on a flat surface one at a time and cover the outsides with oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing, nailed to the plates and studs with 8d galvanized nails.

Erect the walls one at a time, set them plumb with a level and brace them with 2-by-4s nailed to studs and to stakes in the ground. Secure the bottom plates to the foundation with concrete nails or other appropriate fasteners; some builders use tools which drive strong spikes through bottom plates into a concrete slab or stem wall. Nail walls together at corners once all walls are up and plumb, with corners square.

Add wall caps over the top plates. Make these so they overlap the wall corners; the end of the wall cap extends across the top plate of the abutting wall. Put caps on all exterior walls and use them to tie exterior walls to interior walls if possible so the entire frame is tied together.