Floor Frame Construction

Draw up a basic floor framing plan.

Floor frame construction. Before you begin cutting or measuring grab a pencil and paper and sketch an outline of your floor. This method was popular before the 1930s and is still used on occasion for stucco and other masonry walled two story houses because such structures shrink and settle more uniformly than do platform structures. Framers construct the second story floor system to match the layout of the main floor system. Typically the second story floor joists will not only run the same direction as the first floor joists they will also be directly over them.

A floor s framework is made up mostly of wooden joists that run parallel to one another at regular intervals. Learning how to frame a wall requires accuracy and attention to detail but the results are well worth the challenge. To frame a wall you must choose the wall s location build the wall flat on the floor and then tilt it into place. Framing materials are usually wood engineered wood or structural steel the alternative to framed construction is generally called mass wall construction where horizontal layers of stacked materials such as log building masonry rammed earth adobe etc.

Framing in construction is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape. Some newer homes have manufactured i beam shaped joists. Floor joists are typically 2 by 8s 2 by 10s or 2 by 12s. Extremely long spans staircases or interior walls typically require additional support which can complicate your framing.

Increasingly wood framing is also being used in com mercial and industrial buildings. The second story floor joists are supported by a ribbon board set into the studs. With balloon frame construction shown below studs run full height from mud sill to the top plate to a maximum of 20 feet. In this method exterior wall studs and first floor joists are supported by anchored sill.

Are used without framing. Balloon frame construction. Wood frame construction is the predominant method of building homes and apartments in the united states enabling this nation to have the world s best housed popu lation. Use this guide to learn how to frame a wall step by step.

In balloon framing the studs extend as one from the sill to the top plate of the second story. Second floor construction techniques follow a standard process. Your sketch should depict the floor s basic shape and layout complete with any additional features like alcoves nooks and staircases. Balloon framing is sometimes used with two story buildings.

Ceiling joists are usually 2 by 6s or sometimes 2 by 4s if it is an older home.