How to Frame Walls in a New House

Framing walls in new home construction is one of the funnest parts of home building. It's not really that difficult if you have a step by step outline of how to do it. This is the outline.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lumber
• hammer and nails
• tape measure
• marking pencil
• skilsaw

1. 
    
   floor construction

   We'll start out with an empty first floor already covered and waiting for walls.

2. 
    
   framing walls

   The best way to build the walls is to measure and assemble them laying down on the floor. 6-inch walls get a little heavy to stand up so it helps to build them in sections.

3. 
    
   measuring walls

   It often helps to mark the boards where the walls studs will go. This is the wall sill plate which goes on the bottom of the wall and will support all the wall studs.

4. 
    
   wall framing diagram

   Let's talk about the different parts of a wall. First, we have the sill plate on the bottom, then we have the wall studs. Next, we have jack studs that help us frame windows and doors. Trimmer studs get nailed to the jack studs and support window and door headers. Builder studs are 92 5/8-inches which means they don't need to be cut to be a wall stud in an 8-foot wall.

5. 
    
   wall header framing

   The headers help support the load over windows and doors. Headers can be 2x10 lumber if we have the budget.

6. 
    
   cripple stud framing

   Headers can also be made with smaller lumber like 2x6's used as cripple studs.

7. 
    
   fire blocking

   Many local codes require fire blocking which is actually a good thing not only because it slows fire from spreading through wall members, but it also makes walls stronger.

8. 
    
   rough opening

   We will need to get the measurements for the windows and doors. These are called rough openings.

9. Door rough openings are usually a standard height of 82 1/2-inches, but the width depends on preference.

10. 
     
    nailing walls

    Once we get the walls built and put in place we need to nail them down so they don't tip over.

11. 
     
    wall framing corner post

    We need to attach the walls at the corners with a corner post. This makes the walls much more stable.

12. 
     

    Corner posts are just extra boards on the end of the wall to attach both walls to each other.

13. 
     
    wall framing top plate

    Once we have all the outside walls in place, we will need to nail a second layer of 2x6's or 2x4's on top. This is called the top plate. It holds the walls together and helps secure the corners.

14. 
     

    We need to be sure to overlap the joints on the corners when we put on the top plate.

15. That should do it for the outside house walls.

Resources

• http://www.make-my-own-house.com/framing-walls