This document provides information on wood frame wall construction, including recommended materials for wood studs, common stud sizes, and the main components of wood frame walls such as sole plates, wall studs, top plates, headers, and bracing. It also discusses sheathing and wall ties used for exterior finishing of wood frame walls.

1. Competency: 206.00
Draw wall sections and
details
Objective: 206.03
Apply concepts of wood frame wall
construction.

2. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Materials
 Wood studs should
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Be straight
Have good stiffness
#2 grade or better
Moisture content of 15-19%

3. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Materials
 2x4 and 2x6 lumber are most popular
sizes for wall construction
 2x6
materials can be used for exterior
walls for additional insulation thickness
 2x4 materials used for most interior
walls
 2x6 and 2x8 materials used to allow
plumbing to pass through wall

4. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Materials

5. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Components
 Sole Plate/Bottom Plate
Holds studs together in a wall unit
 Anchors wall to subfloor
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 Wall studs
Spaced 16” or 24” O.C.
 Length based on ceiling height
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 Top plate
Ties intersecting walls together
 Provides additional strength between studs
where ceiling joists/rafters do not bear directly
above the stud
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6. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Components
 Headers
Size depends on its span and loading
 Carries load of the roof where studs have
been removed from the wall to create an
opening
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7. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Components
 Solid headers
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Fill the space above the opening
Header formed by turning two units of
framing lumber on edge with a ½”
spacer between the members
For 2x4 stud wall a 3-½” thick unit

8. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Components
 Solid headers
 Studs
are not full length
 Fill the space above the header
 Headers are supported by trimmers or
jack studs

9. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Components
 Corner Bracing
 Plywood,
OSB, or similar material may
be used in place of the let-in brace
 Diagonal metal straps may be used

10. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Exterior Finishing
 Wall sheathing
 Typically
½” thick
 May be a structural material
and/or an insulating material
 Often applied to frame wall
prior to wall being raised from
the subfloor
 Often applied to frame wall
prior to wall being raised from
the subfloor

11. Wood Frame Wall Construction
Exterior Finishing
 Wall ties
 Masonry
wall is not a load bearing wall
 Frame wall carries the load of the
structure
 Ties are bent to fit between mortar joints
 Corrugated metal ties
Placed 16” O.C. vertically
 Placed 32” O.C. horizontally
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