WOOD

CONSTRUCTION

Wood construction was the most prevalent way of building houses and apartments
back then. Wood is a well-known building material due to a variety of advantageous
characteristics, including low heat conductivity, low bulk density, relatively high strength,
and ease of mechanical processing. Without squandering any of its byproducts, wood
may be used most effectively. Contemporarily, it is now adaptable to traditional,
cutting-edge, and futuristic architectural styles.

Frame construction is a method of construction

FRAME that entails developing a supportive structure of
joists, studs, and rafters and then attaching
CONSTRUCTION construction elements to this framework.

Frame construction is akin to building the skeleton of a structure before joining the
other building components. Following the completion of the frame, the walls and other
features will be added. The building becomes more stable when the builders add walls
and flooring.
Types of Frame Construction:
Platform Frame - First-floor joists are Plank and Beam Construction - Beams
completely covered with subflooring to large enough to support floor and roof
establish a platform for the installation of loads are spaced up to 8 feet apart.
exterior walls and interior partitions.
Truss-Framed Construction - The
Balloon Frame- Exterior wall studs continue strength and resilience of wood
through the first and second stories construction are attributed to the
structural wooden structure paired with a
Fastening- Construction adhesive and
covering of subflooring, wall, and roof
nails, whether used separately or in
sheathing.
combination, are used to support metal
Foundations - Footings that are properly
framing. (a most common method of
installed and of sufficient size to support
fastening 1- and 2-inch framing lumber and
the structure are critical to the satisfactory
sheathing panels)
performance of all construction systems.
FOUNDATION

Concrete foundations- Reinforced concrete is utilized in areas with unstable soil,

nevertheless.
Wood foundation - Engineered system made out of plywood sheathing pressure-
treated with a substantial amount of preservative to ensure independence from insect
and decay attack and wood framing made of wood.
Other Foundations- Include free-standing piers, piers with curtain walls, or piers
supporting grade beams

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CONSTRUCTION
Protection Against Termites and Decay- An important practice for construction that
prevents conditions that could lead to decay or termite attack

Unexcavated Spaces - There must be at least 18 inches of space between the

bottom of wood joists or a structural plank floor and the ground.
Columns and Posts – Except when certified pressure-treated or naturally resistant
wood species are employed, wood piers are separated from each other by an
impervious moisture barrier.
Exterior Walls –Unless certified pressure-treated or naturally durable wood species
are utilized, wood framing and sheathing used in external walls are erected at least
8 inches above exposed soil (including finished grade). Unless certified pressure-
treated or naturally durable wood species are utilized, wood framing and sheathing
used in external walls are erected at least 8 inches above exposed soil (including
finished grade).
Beams and Girders in Masonry Walls – Unless pressure-preservative treated or
naturally durable wood species are utilized, holes or cavities in masonry walls used
to support the ends of beams, girders, or floor joists are large enough to allow a
minimum of 1/2-inch clearance at the top, sides, and ends of such members.
Wood Supports Embedded in Ground - authorized pressure preservative
treatments must be applied to support permanent constructions.
Siding: All siding types used with wood frame buildings must maintain a minimum
space of 6 inches between the bottom edge and the completed grade.
Crawl Space Ventilation - opened vents in the foundation walls
Termite Control - The best defense against subterranean termites is to treat the
soil surrounding the foundation with an approved termiticide after removing all
scrap wood from the building's perimeter.
Additional Requirements - The standards of the preceding paragraphs may be
amended to the extent necessary by local conditions in geographical areas where
experience has shown a need for greater protective measures.
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CONSTRUCTION
Floor Framing- consists of a system of subflooring, sills, girders, joists, or floor
trusses that supports floor loads and gives exterior walls lateral support.

Sills on Foundation Walls - Sills supporting continuous masonry foundation

walls typically consist of 2x4 or 2x6 lumber.
Sills on Piers - sills supported by free-standing piers must be of adequate size
to carry all imposed loads between piers
Beams and Girders - are made of solid wood or built-up construction, which
consists of several pieces of lumber that are each about 2 inches thick and are
fastened together with their wide faces upright.
Selection and Placing Joists - joist end-bearing should not be less than 1 1/2
inches on wood or metal and 3 inches on masonry
Bridging - properly nailed subflooring will keep the upper edges of floor joists
in proper alignment
Framing of Floor Openings - made up of headers, trimmers, and tail joists.
Notching and Boring of Joists - notches or holes in joists for plumbing or wiring
shall not be cut in the middle one-third of the joist span
Support of Partitions - Typically, girders or walls that support the floor system
are placed over partitions.
Overhang of Floors - Second-story joists are extended to support the second-
story wall where they extend over the first-story wall at an angle.

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CONSTRUCTION
Firestopping - Wood blocking or other suitable materials are used to firestop all
hidden areas in wood framing.

Drafstopping - is necessary for floor/ceiling assemblies running parallel to primary

framing members to divide usable spaces into two or more roughly equal portions,
with no area larger than 500 square feet.

Exterior Wall Framing - must be strong and large enough to support loads from the
floor and roof.

Wall Sheathing: When wood sheathing is securely fastened to the outer edges of
exterior wall studs, plates, and headers, it provides the wood frame construction
with protection from hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

Building or Sheathing Paper - By coating the wall sheathing with a layer of Type 15
asphalt-saturated felt paper or another suitable water-resistant paper or plastic
films, walls are shielded against wind and water infiltration.
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CONSTRUCTION
INTERIOR PARTITION FRAMING- there are two types of interior partitions: bearing
partitions which support floors, ceilings or roofs; and non-bearing partitions which
carry only the weight of the materials in the partition, including attachments in the
finished building

Bearing Partitions - It should be at least nominal 2x4 inches, with the wide surface
of the stud at right angles to top and bottom plates or headers
Non-Bearing Partitions -It should be at least nominal 2x3 or 2x4 inches and may
be installed with the wide face perpendicular or parallel to the wall surface

FRAMING AROUND CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES

Framing - wood framing must be adequately separated from fireplace and
chimney masonry
Trim - the wood mantles and similar trim are separated from fireplace openings by
at least six inches

TYPES OF FRAME CONSTRUCTION

Roof and Ceiling Framing- roof construction must be of adequate strength to
withstand anticipated snow and wind loads
Ceiling Joist and Rafter Framing - must be securely nailed to exterior wall
plates, to the ends of rafters and where the joists join over interior partitions
Collar Beams - nominal 1x6 or 2x4 lumber are installed in the upper one-
third of the attic space to every third pair of rafters to secure the ridge
framing.
Valley and Hip Rafter Framing - intersection of two roofs areas are doubled
in thickness and two inches deeper than adjoining rafters
Roof Trusses - may be fabricated as light trusses and installed as complete
units.
Ceiling-Floor- Partition Separation - a widely used technique to minimize
truss uplift separation is to allow the gypsum board ceiling to "float" or rest
on the partition and remain unattached to the truss on either side of the
partition
Flat roofs - should be avoided if possible because they are difficult to
ventilate and insulate adequately and present weather proofing problems
Roof Sheathing - wood structural panels or 1-inch board lumber provides a
solid base for roof coverings
Spaced Sheathing - where wood shingles or shakes are to be applied as the
finished roof, solid sheathing is used or nominal 1x4 lumber is nailed
perpendicular to rafters and trusses with each board spaced a distance
from the next board equal to the weather exposure of the shingles or shakes
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CONSTRUCTION

Ventilation of Attic Spaces - is required to eliminate moisture condensation

on roof framing in cold weather and to permit heat to escape in warm
weather

INSULATION AND VAPOR RETARDERS

Insulation - adequate insulation in stud spaces of exterior walls, between floor and
ceiling joists or rafters and on the inside of masonry foundations between grade
line and first floor, make wood frame construction efficient to heat and cool
Vapor Retarders - prevents moisture vapor from moving through the insulated wall
and condensing on the back side of sheathing and side

Exterior Siding and Coverings - many types of wood, hardboard, shingle, structural
panel, metal and masonry veneer sidings are use over wood framing
Wood Siding - a variety of wood and hardboard siding patterns are
available
Protection of Siding - ends of wood siding at corners, but joints and at joints
with window and door trim are protected by an application of clear water
repellent preservative
Wood Shingles and Shakes - used as exterior wall covering are applied with
the weather exposure
Masonry Veneer - applied to wood frame construction is supported on the
masonry foundation wall

Flooring - consists of the subfloor, underlayment and finish floor

Sub-Flooring - It consists of plywood, particleboard or other wood structural
panels, or board lumber
Underlayment - are applied over sub-flooring to provide a smooth surface
for application of carpeting and other resilient floor coverings
Wood Flooring - hardwood and softwood strip flooring of 3/4-inch pr 25/32-
inch thickness provides adequate strength and stiffness for direct
application over subflooring at right angles to joists

Wood Decks - are a special feature of many new houses ad a useful add-on to others
Design - shape and size should be consistent with the general lines of the
house and should be positioned to function as part of the total structure
Engineering - cantilevered and other special deck types should be properly
engineered
Decking - the floor of the deck is normally 2x4-inch or 2x-inch lumber
Railings - designs follow the style of the house.
Finishes - both pressure treated and naturally durable wood are resistant to
decay and insects
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