CARPENTRY - HOUSING

STEP 3

Work from the starting corner towards the diagonally opposite corner, erecting
internal frames as the erection procedure progresses. If internal walls are not fitted
progressively, known as building out, it will be difficult and impractical to fit
them after the external walls are complete. It may not be necessary to temporarily
brace the internal walls, as they should gain enough support by being connected to
the external walls, which are braced.
Nail the scarf joints or skew nail and fix connector plates where walls are butt
jointed.
Slide frame into scarf
and nail off
Blocking to allow solid
connection of cluster

Internal frames erected and

connected progressively

Fig. 42 Erecting

and connecting
internal walls progressively

STEP 4

Straighten and fix bottom plates by pulling them into line with the setout chalk lines
and fixing off at approximately 600mm c/c, using masonry nails.
Fix off all stud clusters after pulling the studs straight and checking with a straight
edge.
Pull stud
straight

Connect stud
clusters at all
intersections

Pull plate to chalk

line and nail off
Fig. 43 Nail off plates and stud clusters
TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

33

WALL FRAMING

STEP 5

Starting at the initial square corner, carry out plumbing of the frames.
Remove all temporary nails in the sheet bracing along the length of one side of the
external walls.
Tack a gauge block on top of the plate with one end extended past, say 50mm.
Attach a plumb bob line to the block and allow it to hang down freely past the
bottom plate.
Measure the distance from the plumb bob line to the outside of the bottom plate and
then rack the wall frame until the measurement is exactly the same as the top
distance.
Nail off all braces to suit AS 1684 National Timber Framing Code along the
adjusted side, then repeat the process for all external walls.

Gauge block tacked

to top plate with
suspended plumb
bob out 50mm

Rack frame
until plumb,
then nail off all
baces along
this side

Sheet bracing

Sheet bracing

Check for a parallel

measurement at the
bottom plate, of 50mm.

Fig. 44 Plumb external walls and fix off bracing

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

34

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

STEP 6

Straighten and temporarily brace the top plates.

Run a string line along the external top plate with a 20mm thick block at each end.
Loosen the braces on the internal walls, or tighten the turnbuckles, to allow the
internal frames to be racked in the desired direction. Check the intersection position
using another 20mm thick spacer block between the frame and the string line.
Once the braces of the internal walls are adjusted and fixed off, straighten the
remainder of the plates in between the intersections using the 20mm spacer block.
Use temporary braces to hold the mid positions straight while the ceiling frame is
constructed.
Note: It is also critical that the frames are held straight and firm with temporary
braces when roof trusses are used. Loading, adjusting, aligning, etc. puts pressure
on wall plates and may cause them to be pushed out of alignment

Pull the string line

taut over spacer
blocks

Spacer blocks at
ends of plate

Check spacing at
mid intersection
and adjust frame
until the plate is
the thickness of
the spacer block
from the string
line

Fig. 45 Straightening top wall plates at intersections

STEP 7

Once all the straightening and bracing is complete, the frames should be checked
for completion of all blocking and trimming.
Check all diagonal and sheet bracing for complete nailing off and that all stud
clusters are fully connected. Cut out the bottom plates between door studs.
Also, at this point any excessive spring in the edge of the studs should be corrected
by crippling, wedging and cleating, as described previously on page 17.

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

35

WALL FRAMING

The top plates of the frames should now be ready for setting out and construction of the ceiling
frames.

Fig. 46 Wall frames completed ready for the ceiling frame

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

36

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

WALL FRAME CALCULATIONS

When taking-off calculations for wall framing it is essential that a systematic approach be
adopted to avoid missing critical elements.
Using formulae is also important to ensure accurate quantities are collected so they may be
correctly priced.
Once a system is adopted and the formulae are identified, it will be necessary to gather the
following details for calculation purposes:
Plan -

This will be required so the dimensions of walls can be identified to allow a

cutting list of materials to be formed;

Specification The specification or AS 1684 tables will provide section sizes and stress grades of
or Tables - framing members;
Schedules -

Schedules provide details of window and door sizes and frame openings to allow
opening and trimming studs to be calculated; and

Sketch plan - Draw a single line detail of the floor plan, then number each wall by starting at
the top left corner and working around the sketch in a clockwise direction. Then
number all the internal walls running north to south and finish by numbering all
internal walls running east to west.
Note: The length of each numbered wall should allow for ease of handling during
construction, therefore walls should not exceed 5.4m in length, where possible.

Bottom
plates -

Take-off each wall separately.

The length of the plate = internal room size + 2 wall thicknesses (where scarf
joint connections are used)
It is preferable to join plate lengths at wall intersections.

Top plates - As for bottom plates.

Allow extra length where there is a gable overhang, to allow the gable rafters to
be supported past the line of the end wall.
Studs -

Calculate the studs for each wall separately.

Formula = (length of wall) + 1 (the extra 1 allows for the first stud)
Max. spacing
Allow an extra stud for each external corner for timber framed structures.
Calculate window and door studs separately, if they have a different section size
Window and door trimming studs are calculated separately and ordered in
lengths made up of the common stud length less the opening height. The number
of trimming studs is deducted from the total number of common studs.
Formula = (length of opening) - 1 (the 1allows for the end opening stud)
Max. spacing
Add two studs per opening where secondary jamb studs are used.
TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

37

WALL FRAMING

Sill trimmers -

Measure each opening separately and add the pieces together to form
orderable lengths.
Note: Add two stud thicknesses where secondary jamb studs are used, as the
secondary studs will be cut above and below the sill trimmer.
Allow an additional 20mm for housings into door and window studs.

Lintels -

Measure each opening separately and allow extra length for housing-in or
running past the door or window studs to the next pair of studs.
(check the method to be used, including allowance of patent metal lintels)

Noggings -

Measure each wall separately.

Allow material to run the full length of the wall, i.e. the same length as the
internal room dimension.
Do not deduct for openings, as the off-cut material will be used for extra
trimming and blocking.

Braces -

Allow one brace per wall or two braces for walls, which are longer than
twice the wall height. As the angle of the inclined braces is approx. 45, to
be effective, they are calculated at 1.5 times the height of the walls.
When sheet bracing is used there should be a minimum of two sheets at
external corners, per storey in height, which means an allowance of 8 sheet
braces for a square shaped structure. Sheet bracing should be spaced at not
more than 9.0m apart, i.e. one at each end of a long wall and an additional
sheet between them where they are more than 9.0m apart.
Note: Sheet panel size is equal to 900 or 1200mm wide by the height of the
wall frame. Standard sheets are 2400mm long, which will require joining
the sheets for walls above 2400mm high.
Refer to AS 1684 for specific details and requirements.

Any additional blocking or trimming is catered for in the extra nogging length, as openings
are not deducted.
External corner studs are not normally allowed for in brick veneer construction, unless
specified.

METHOD OF CALCULATING FRAME QUANTITIES

WORKED EXAMPLE FOR FRAMING QUANTITIES and COSTS
The following worked example provides details of how the quantities are arrived at and how
TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

38

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

the individual materials are presented and costed.

The floor frame is to suit tongue and grooved cut-in flooring and the studs are housed 10mm
deep. The overall frame height is 2450mm and there are 100 x 38 secondary jamb studs used
for openings over 1200mm wide.
SPECIFICATION

Plates Studs Secondary jamb studsNoggings Braces -

100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5

100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5 at 450mm c/c
100 x 38 sawn Oregon F5
100 x 38 sawn Oregon F5 1 row mid height
2400 x 900 x 7mm thick hardboard sheets to external walls
3.6 lengths of perforated metal angle for internal walls.

Door openings -

D1 = 2110 x 1690mm;
all others = 2110 x 890mm (to suit 2040 x 820mm stock doors)

Windows Window
W1, W7
W2, W3, W5, W6
W4
Heads to openings-

Material costs -

Stud Opening Sizes

Height (mm)
1250
1250
1420

Opening width (mm)

Up to 900
900 to 1200
1200 to 1800
Material
100 x 50 F5 sawn Oregon
100 x 38 F5 sawn Oregon
100 x 75 F5 sawn Oregon
150 x 50 F14 Hardwood (seasoned)
2400 x 1200 x 7 plywood
3.6 metal angle

Width (mm)
1710
1120
820

Section size (mm)

100 x 50
100 x 75
150 x 50
Cost
$ 3.20/m
$ 3.10/m
$ 6.50/m
$ 5.95/m
$ 20.00/sheet
$3.90 /length

Fig. 47 Typical
brick veneer

plan of frame for a

cottage

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

39

WALL FRAMING

10

11

13

14
9

Fig. 48 Sketch
walls

Top
plates

15

12

and

5
plan identifying

B o t t o m

Length = internal room size + (2 x wall thickness) x 2 plates

Wall 1

5250 + (2 x 100) = 5450

2/5.7

Wall 2

4200 + (2 x 100) = 4400

2/4.5

Wall 3

2650 + (2 x 100) = 2850

2/3.0

Wall 4

4200 + (2 x 100) = 4400

2/4.5

Wall 5

2400 + (2 x 100) = 2600

2/2.7

Wall 6

3055 + (2 x 100) = 3255

2/3.3

Wall 7

3895 + (2 x 100) = 4095

2/4.2

Wall 8

5250 + (2 x 100) = 5450

2/5.7

Wall 9

3200 + (2 x 100) = 3400

2/3.6

Wall 10

3400 + (2 x 100) = 3600

2/3.6

Wall 11

3400 + (2 x 100) = 3600

2/3.6

Wall 12

3200 + (2 x 100) = 3400

2/3.6

Wall 13

4200 + (2 x 100) = 4400

2/4.5

Wall 14

4200 + (2 x 100) = 4400

2/4.5

Wall 15

2650 + (2 x 100) = 2850

2/3.0

Order = 100 x 50
sawn Oregon F5 4/ 5.7, 1/ 5.4, 8/ 4.5, 2/ 4.2, 8/ 3.6, 2/ 3.3, 4/3.0
TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

40

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

Studs
Length = overall frame size - (2 x plate thicknesses left on)
= 2450 (40 + 40) = 2370mm order 2.4m lengths.
Number = (room size ) + 1
spacing
Wall 1

Wall 2

Wall 3

Wall 4

5250 + 1 = 12 + 1
450
plus 2 window studs

13

4200 + 1 = 10 + 1
450
plus 2 window studs

11

2650 + 1 = 6 + 1
450
plus 2 window studs

4200 + 1 = 10 + 1
450
plus 2 window studs

11

Wall 5

2400 + 1 = 6 + 1
450

Wall 6

3055 + 1 = 7 + 1
450
plus 4 window studs

3895 + 1 = 9 + 1
450
plus 2 door studs

10

4200 + 1 = 10 + 1
450
plus 2 window studs

11

Wall 7

Wall 8

Wall 9

3200 + 1 = 8 + 1
450

Wall 10

3400 + 1 = 8 + 1
450

Wall 11

3400 + 1 = 8 + 1
450

Wall 12

3200 + 1 = 8 + 1
450

Wall 13

4200 + 1 = 10 + 1
450

11

Wall 14

4200 + 1 = 10 + 1

11

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

41

WALL FRAMING

Wall 15

2650 + 1 = 6 + 1
450

Note: Door studs for internal walls are allowed for and counted as part of the basic calculation
Total studs = 159

Deductions for openings

Number = (width of opening ) - 1
spacing
W1

1710 - 1 = 4 - 1
450

W2

1120 - 1 = 3 1
450

W3

1120 - 1 = 3 1
450

W4

820 1 = 2 1
450

W5

1120 - 1 = 3 1
450

W6

1120 - 1 = 3 1
450

W7

1710 - 1 = 4 - 1
450

D1

1690 - 1 = 4 - 1
450

D2, D3, D4,

D5

890 - 1 = (2 - 1 ) x 4
450

Total deductions = 22
Deduct 22 from 159 = 137
Order = 100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5 137/ 2.4

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

42

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

Trimming studs
The trimming studs are those which have been deducted from the window and door openings.
Length = stud length height of opening
W1

2370 1250

3/ 1120

1/ 3.6

W2

2370 1250

2/ 1120

1/ 2.4

W3

2370 1250

2/ 1120

1/ 2.4

W4

2370 1420

1/ 950

1/ 1.2

W5

2370 1250

2/ 1120

1/ 2.4

W6

2370 1250

2/ 1120

1/ 2.4

W7

2370 1250

3/ 1120

1/ 3.6

D1

2370 2110
plus
2370 2110

3/ 260

4/ 260

1/ 2.1

D2 to =
D5

Order = 100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5 3/ 3.6, 3/ 2.4, 1/ 2.1

Sill trimmers
Length = width of opening + 20mm for housing (+ 76 for secondary jamb studs where
openings are wider than 1200mm)

W1 & =
7

1710 + 20 + 76

2/ 1806

plus
W4

820 + 20

1/ 840

1/ 4.5

W2, =
3, 5 &
6

1120 + 20

4/ 1140

1/ 4.8

Order = 100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5 1/ 4.8, 1/ 4.5

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

43

WALL FRAMING

Lintels
As for sills, except for openings over 1200mm where the lintel runs to the outside of
the window or door studs, then add 80mm.
W1 & =
7

1710 + 20 + 76 + 80

2/ 1886

1/ 3.9

150 x 50 Hardwood

W2, =
3, 5
&6

1120 + 20

4/ 1140

1/ 4.8

100 x 75 Oregon

W4

820 + 20
plus

1/ 840

D2, 3, =
4 &5

890 + 20

4/ 910

1/ 4.5

100 x 50 Oregon

1690 + 20 + 76 + 80

1/ 1866

1/ 2.1

150 x 50 Hardwood

D1

Order = 100 x 50 sawn Oregon F5 1/ 4.5

Order = 100 x 75 sawn Oregon F5- 1/ 4.8
Order = 150 x 50 seasoned F14 Hardwood 1/ 3.9, 1/ 2.1
Noggings
Length = internal room size ( no deductions for openings)
Wall 1

5250

1/ 5.4

Wall 2

4200

1/ 4.2

Wall 3

2650

1/ 2.7

Wall 4

4200

1/ 4.2

Wall 5

2400

1/ 2.4

Wall 6

3055

1/ 3.3

Wall 7

3895

1/ 3.9

Wall 8

5250

1/ 5.4

Wall 9

3200

1/ 3.3

Wall 10

3400

1/ 3.6

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

44

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

Wall 11

3400

1/ 3.6

Wall 12

3200

1/ 3.3

Wall 13

4200

1/ 4.2

Wall 14

4200

1/ 4.2

Wall 15

2650

1/ 2.7

Order = 100 x 38 sawn Oregon F5 3/ 5.4, 4/ 4.2, 1/ 3.9, 2/ 3.6, 3/ 3.3, 1/ 2.4

Secondary jamb studs

These are added to openings over 1200mm wide.
Length = height to underside of head
W1

2/ 2110

1/ 4.5

W7

2/ 2110

1/ 4.5

D1

2/ 2110

1/ 4.5

Order = 100 x 38 sawn Oregon F5 3/ 4.5

Sheet braces
Allow two at each corner of external walls and add one where spacing is more than 9.0m apart.
Order = 10/ 2400 x 1200 x 7mm thick plywood sheets

Metal inclined braces

Allow one per internal wall and add an extra one where the length of the wall is greater than
twice the height of the wall.
Order = 5/ 3.6 long perforated metal angle braces
Once calculations are complete, collect all like section sizes and materials and transfer them
to a cost sheet to allow for pricing.

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

45

WALL FRAMING

COST SHEET

Fig. 8.53 First fixing of the hanger

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

46

CARPENTRY - HOUSING

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Cluster -This is a term, which refers to a group or gathering of a number of
members such as a stud cluster, which consists of two and up to four
studs.
Crippling timber -This is a process, which involves the cutting, wedging or cleating of
timber framing to make it straight, where a spring occurs.
Deflection -This is the result of any member placed under load, which has bent. The
deflection is the amount the member has bent or bowed from its original
straight position.
Grading battens -These are battens, which increase or diminish in size. They are placed
on a level surface to provide a fall for a covering material such as roof
sheets on a flat roof.
Gluts -These are generally scrap pieces of timber laid under timber stacks to
raise them off the ground.
In-to-over -This is a method used for marking the spacings of members. It literally
means marking from the inside face or edge of one member to the
outside face or edge of the next member. It is equal to working centreto-centre but is more practical for fixing purposes as it allows one edge
to be lined up with the mark, so it is easily seen, ready for fixing.
Lined on-the-rake -This is a term used to describe the ceiling lining of a pitched roof,
which is fixed to the underside of the rafters. There is no access to the
roof structure as there is no roof space formed.
Patent -This is a term used to describe a product which has had its design
registered with the Patents office. It is the original idea of a person or
persons, which cannot be copied without consent.
Polycarbonate -A plastic material, which is tough, flexible, waterproof, and resists the
breakdown effects of the suns UV rays. It is used for roof sheeting
material, as it is very durable and under most circumstances, hail proof.
It may be formed into corrugated, ribbed or sandwich panel profiles.
Racking -This is the action of pushing or being pushed out of shape or square.
Skew -This is the angling of a member or fixing device such as a nail, to
provide better holding in timber. If a member is skew nailed from both
sides a v shape is formed by the nails.
Skillion -This refers to a free standing roof shape, which has only one pitch or
sloping surface. If a similar shaped roof were attached to a wall or other
roof it would be called a lean-to roof.
Solid bridging -These are solid timber trimmers placed between deep joists to prevent
bowing and twisting. Also referred to as solid strutting.
Staggered -This refers to the placement of solid bridging, noggings, trimmers, etc.
by offsetting every piece from the previous one, when placed in a row.
Via -Literally means by way of. It is the passage or means of access from
one thing or place to another.

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

47

WALL FRAMING

FURTHER READING
Australian Standards Committee, 1992, AS 1684 National Timber Framing Code, Standards
Association of Australia Homebush, Sydney.
Simpson, Charles & Barry Hodgson, 1995, Building a house framing practices, Macmillan
Education Australia, South Melbourne.
Staines, A., Reprinted 1987, Owner Builders & Renovator, Pinedale Press, Caloundra, Qld.
Staines, A., First Edition 1988, The Australian Roof Building Manual, Pinedale Press,
Caloundra, Qld.
Staines, A., Reprinted 1988, The Australian Owner Builders Manual, Pinedale Press,
Caloundra, Qld.
Teachers of Building, 1996 Reprinted 1997, 1998, Second Edition 1999, Basic Building and
Construction Skills, Addison Wesley Longman Australia Pty Ltd, South Melbourne.
Ward-Harvey K., 1984, Fundamental Building Materials, Sakoga Pty Ltd, Mosman NSW.

TAFE NSW Construction and Transport Division

48