Wall Framing

Question 1

What method is used to frame all exterior wall corners?

And why do we use this method?

Answer 1

California Corner

So there can be proper installation of the wall insulation (per Energy Star®)

Question 2

What should be placed under all exterior bottom plates?

Answer 2

A foam gasket between the plate and the concrete slab

Question 3

The exterior bottom plate (including garage walls) must be ______ ___________ using caulking or adhesive around the entire perimeter (per Energy Star).

Answer 3

Air sealed

Question 4

The stud spacing is 16” OC on what walls?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Answer 4

1. Exterior walls
2. Interior bearing walls
3. Interior shear walls
4. Kitchen cabinet walls

Question 5

The stud spacing is 24” OC on what walls?
1.
2.

Answer 5

1. Interior non-bearing walls

2. Non-shear walls

Question 6

Studs at tub/shower locations are to be spaced to allow for what?

Answer 6

The valve to be centered over the drain assembly.

Question 7

All exterior and interior bearing walls are to have a __________ or a ___________ installed on every other stud (top and bottom).

This also includes what locations?

Answer 7

H2.5 or RSP4

Includes the cripples over headers

Question 8

Where can you find the appropriate number of trimmers and king studs?

Answer 8

The plans

Question 9

Gaps at bearing points are not to exceed _________ of an inch? Shim as necessary.

Answer 9

1/16”

Question 10

Where can you find the appropriate post size under girders and beams?

Answer 10

The plans

Question 11

How do you define a post?

Answer 11

Two or more studs

Question 12

Regardless of post size, an RSP4 or H2.5 is installed where?

Answer 12

At the top and bottom of each stud

Question 13

How should a post of two or more studs be nailed together?

Answer 13

Every 6” staggered

Question 14

How should all intersecting walls be nailed?

Answer 14

One nail every 16”, or 2 nails every 24” OC

Question 15

Interior intersecting walls (non-shear) are to have __________ installed and are to be nailed with _______ nails.

Answer 15

Blocks

Two

Question 16

What is to be installed around the perimeter of all recessed window openings?

Why do we do this?

Answer 16

OSB

To prevent window flashing from falling into the wall cavity.

Question 17

What is acceptable lath backing at arches?

Answer 17

2X blocking spaced 6” OC

Question 18

Do windows have single or double sill plates?

Answer 18

Double

Question 19

Recessed windows must maintain a minimum of a _______ inch reveal around the entire perimeter?

Answer 19

4”

Question 20

Window ledges (seats) slope away from the home a minimum of ______ inch per foot.

Answer 20

1”

Question 21

Walls, columns and posts are to be plumb within _____ of an inch in ____ feet.

Answer 21

1/4” in 10’

Question 22

Walls that are 20’ or taller are to be plumb within _______ of an inch maximum.

Answer 22

1/2”

Question 23

Bows in walls are not to exceed ______ of an inch in ______ feet.

Answer 23

1/4” in 8’

Question 24

Bows in walls at kitchen and bathroom locations are not to exceed _____ of an inch in _____ feet.

Answer 24

1/8” in 8’

Question 25

Soffits, coffers and dropped ceilings are to be: Plumb within? Level within? Square within?

Answer 25

Plumb: 1/8” in 4’ Level: 1/4” in 10’ Square: 1/8” in 10’

Question 26

Interior chases, coffers, dropped ceilings and soffits should be ____________ with ________ __________ on all non-cathedralized Energy Star communities, with gaps not to exceed ________ of an inch.

Answer 26

Capped Rigid sheathing 1/8”

Question 27

A rigid sheathing is to be installed behind all _________, _________, and _____________ at exterior wall locations on Energy Star homes.

Answer 27

Tubs Showers Fireplaces

Question 28

Exterior ____________ __________ conditions are to be completely backed with ____________ ____________ on the exterior side of the interior wall on Energy Star homes.

Answer 28

Double wall | Rigid sheathing

Question 29

Bi-pass closet door openings should be plumb, level and square within _______ of an inch in ______ feet.

Answer 29

1/8” in 6’

Question 30

When a trimmer cannot be installed to support a bi-pass door header, install an ________ to support the header.

Answer 30

A35

Question 31

What are the rough openings for wood bi-pass closet doors? 6’8” tall doors 8’ tall doors

Answer 31

6’8” tall doors - 82 1/2” | 8’ tall doors - 98 1/2”

Question 32

At what height are kitchen pony walls framed? How are they secured to the floor?

Answer 32

35 1/4” (+ 0”, - 1/8”) Glued and pinned

Question 33

Garage door bucks are to have no __________ and are to be continuous with no _________. The legs are to be __________ to the lid and kept up _______ of an inch off the concrete.

Answer 33

Wane Splices Tight 1/2”

Question 34

How are garage door bucks to be installed?

Answer 34

Hand nailed with galvanized nails. Gun nails can be used if they are patched. The center buck is to have a minimum of 8 nails.

Question 35

How should exterior door openings be framed and installed?

Answer 35

Solid 2” X 2” stucco stop around the door, legs are held up 2” above FF, a minimum 15lb grade D vapor barrier or window flashing installed behind the stucco stop.

Question 36

What wood is considered to be lath backing?

Answer 36

Solid 2X material. OSB/plywood is not appropriate lath backing.

Question 37

All drywall backing at lids and corners is to be installed a maximum of ______ inches from the wall.

Answer 37

2 1/2”

Question 38

Ladder backing is to be installed every ______ inches, and is always started at the _________ __________.

Answer 38

24” | Exterior wall

Question 39

``` Where should there be solid 2X drywall backing? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. ```

Answer 39

1. The perimeter of tubs 2. The perimeter of shower pans 3. Handrails 4. Shower door locations 5. The perimeter of patio lids 6. Upper cabinets were a stud is not within 6” of the end of the cabinet run, or where a single cabinet is hung between two studs. 7. The top of the hot water heater platform

Question 40

At what height are medicine cabinets framed?

Answer 40

50” AFF to the bottom of the opening

Question 41

Wane on studs, headers, or plates is not to exceed _______ of an inch on the narrow face of the member.

Answer 41

1/2”

Question 42

``` Plywood or OSB is to be installed at all recessed window openings. This includes: 1. 2. 3. 4. ```

Answer 42

1. The wall 2. Window seat 3. Soffit 4. Both side walls

Question 43

What should be done at spa tub motor locations?

Answer 43

It should be blocked out by the framer.