For questions generally relating to the internal structural members of a home or other structure that form walls, ceilings and roofs, including studs, plates, headers, beams, and joists.
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it common to have no ceiling joists above joist-parallel walls?
I own an old 1 story house that was built in 1926.
Looking in the attic, I've noticed that all the interior walls that run parallel to the ceiling joists have no joist above them. These walls are ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I nail plywood to flat roof framing?
I am putting some 3/4 plywood on top of 2x6 framing joists on my flat garage roof. The framing is spaced 16oc. I figured that I place 4x8 plywood sheets in such way that their short edge will be ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Remodeling a pre-1920's home with planks on the interior walls
I own an older home in central PA; my guess it is pre-1920's and I was going to remodel the living room and insulate the walls and run new wiring. The walls are horse hair plaster; when I removed the ...
3
votes
1answer
401 views
What is the proper way to frame in a room?
I'm looking to frame in this room (photo 2) to utilize the space for a 1st floor bathroom / 1st floor laundry room / storage.
I think I have the process down having seen my uncles and brothers houses ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How far can I move ceiling joists up?
The second floor of our house has a fairly low ceiling, perhaps 6'8" or 6'10".
The width of the structure is only about 16' with standard construction and the ceiling joists running parallel to to the ...
3
votes
1answer
278 views
What types of materials should I consider when designing a bench?
I am building a dividing half-wall/shelving unit to separate my living room from entrance door. I am planning to put a bench on the side closer to the door (so me and my guests can sit down while ...
3
votes
2answers
258 views
How do I frame a room in my garage?
I intend to build a 15x9 room with 8' ceiling on one side of my garage to be used as a music/recording studio. I live in Phoenix, AZ area. I believe I can save money if I do all the framing and ...
2
votes
1answer
93 views
What framing do I need to build a garage with 13 ft walls to store a boat?
The garage door has to be 12x12ft and I need at least 12in of space between the top of my door opening and the ceiling. What changes do I need to make to the traditional framing techniques to support ...
2
votes
2answers
4k views
At a 6' span, how much can an SPF 2x4 turned on 3.5" end support?
The ends are secured, so how much load can a 6' span of SPF 2x4 support when turned on 3.5"?
2
votes
2answers
97 views
What type of nail gun is recommended?
Was reading this post:
Are cheap electric brad nail guns worth it for fixing mouldings?
I'm in the middle of fixing up an older home. I have an air compressor with a couple air powered brad-nailers ...
2
votes
2answers
226 views
How do you install blocking in a straight line?
When installing blocking that is staggered, you can end-nail it. But what about when it's important for the blocking to be in a straight line?
For example, when you want to support butted-edges of ...
2
votes
2answers
889 views
How do you frame a wall around existing pipes and ducting?
Adding ducting or conduit or pipes to a wall is easy, you just drill or cut a hole. Adding a wall where there is already conduit and pipes poses more of a dilemma, especially if those things are ...
2
votes
2answers
395 views
How do I build a Gambrel roof?
We would like to put a Gambrel Roof on a 32 x 32 log cabin we're building but I don't know the formula or how to build the Gambrel roof. Please help
We're building this cabin ourselves and love the ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
What's the best way to lay out sheathing around a doorway?
Does it matter how you sheath around an exterior door? I think it would be stronger to break the sheathing over the door than at the corners, but I'm not sure.
The wall is not load-bearing. Studs are ...
2
votes
1answer
198 views
How large are in-wall heating vents that connect to registers?
I'm curious how large heating vents can typically be when connecting to in-wall registers. Do they fill up the entire space between studs?
I'm framing for some drywall patches and would ideally not ...
2
votes
2answers
126 views
How can I frame a ceiling tray in my dining room?
We have a 12x14 dining room and are looking to add a shallow 6"h x 15"w tray border around the outside. One of the longer sides will not hit any ceiling joists, so I will be using toggle bolts to keep ...
1
vote
2answers
718 views
What is the expense and difficulty of moving an exterior kitchen wall?
I'm considering a kitchen remodel, that is in the front-right corner of a house, and surrounded by a covered deck on both sides. The deck extends out 8ft in the front and 9ft on the right.
I'd like ...
1
vote
1answer
480 views
How close to plumb to deck posts need to be?
I'm building a deck as the floor of a 30' yurt. Construction is 4" x 6" joists on 4" x 4" posts, on pre-cast concrete pier blocks, on tamped gravel footings. Posts are 20" - 30" long. Lumber is ...
1
vote
3answers
475 views
How can I install a pre-hung door when soundboard has been installed?
Normally a 2x4 wall has a finished thickness of 4.5" (2x4 + 2x 1/2" drywall)
I have 1/2" soundboard under one side of the drywall so my finished thickness is 5"
I know that I can custom-order ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
What causes seasonal doors and how do you prevent it?
I understand that wood expands and contracts based on temperature, humidity, and other factors...
However in our house the doors are really subject to seasonal changes. For instance my bedroom door ...
1
vote
1answer
179 views
Caulking for deck frame
To seal the seam between a doubled joist or beam, what type of caulking is best? The Home Depot Decks 123 book recommends Alex Plus (acrylic latex plus silicone) while a guy at Home Depot suggested ...
1
vote
1answer
172 views
Can I use a threaded rod for a rafter tie?
Long story short: I am working on a 1960's house with no rafter ties. The rafters themselves are now attached with screws and strong-ties (previously just double nailed!) but I don't have faith in the ...
1
vote
1answer
352 views
What is the proper way to install a exterior door in brick/drywall wall?
A little background: in Brazil drywall is kind of novelty yet, mostly used on comercial building. Houses here are still built only using bricks, with the jambs of door being affixed to the bricks ...
0
votes
2answers
466 views
What, if anything, do I do to repair notched floor joists?
I have been building for a long time, so I know where floor joists can be bored or notched without compromising their strength. Unfortunately, I have a client whose floor joists were hacked at by ...
0
votes
1answer
255 views
Can I stack new beam to the top of old beam to extend span?
I have appropriately sized an LVL to extend a span by 3ft as well as assured the column support to the foundation at the new column.
EDIT: The existing 12 ft span is carried by a 4x10, the new span ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
How far apart should temporary A braces be on 18ft side walls before permanent bracing?
I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a code for temporary bracing of a non-residential building before it is permanently braced with plywood? I was curious to know how far apart each "A" brace ...
