Framing
20 Essential House Framing Terms Homeowners Must Know (Part 2)
Reviewed by Fadi Mamar, Co-founder
Putting up a house is one of the most expensive yet fulfilling things you can do in your lifetime, especially after saving enough hard-earned money. Like other significant investments, it also involves careful planning, including plotting the house frames and finding the right company for the job.
However, you go beyond plotting the dream home’s structure and finding a reputable house framing company. You must also educate yourself on the different terms to ensure a productive and successful project.
In the first part of this series, we discussed ten terms that house framing companies want you to know. This article discusses ten more essential terms.
11. Header
House framing companies use headers in door and window openings to ensure structural support. The header’s size depends on the opening’s width, and the vertical studs support it.
12. Wall Sheathing
Contractors add wall sheathing to the wall’s framework to enclose and protect the border. They’re suitable for bracing, insulation, or a nailing surface for siding material. House framing companies usually use sheathing made from OSB, gypsum, extruded polystyrene, and plywood.
13. Stringer
A carpenter usually installs the stairs’ railings, risers, and treads. House framing companies cut and fit the stringers—the angled supports running from the ground to the floor or from one foot to another. Stairs need them to provide a flat surface for the treads and a vertical surface for attaching the risers.
14. Load-Bearing Wall
A load-bearing wall carries the structure’s weight above it. Interior and exterior walls are usually load-bearing because they support the floors and roof. If you need to remove it during remodelling, your house framing company needs to install an additional beam to bear the load.
15. Roof Slope
The slope refers to the roof’s steepness, where contractors express it with two numbers referring to the rise and run. The former is the vertical distance the roof rises for every foot of run, and the run always remains at 12 inches. For instance, a roof with a 3:12 pitch would be flat, while a 12:12 roof pitch would be steep.
Carpenters use the slope to cut the rafters’ edges to the correct angles.
16. Roof Truss
Trusses are pre-fabricated construction materials that can help save time and money when building a roof. Engineers design them in a factory to fit the roof’s slope, shape, and size. They’ll later transport the finished products to the construction site and install them according to the manufacturer’s roof plan.
House framing companies must ensure proper installation by spacing the trusses 24 inches apart to align with the standard roof sheathing.
17. Roof Sheathing
House framing companies usually create roof sheathing from OSB and plywood. They come in 4x8-foot sheets with a thickness of 7/16, ½, or ⅝ inches. They secure the roofing materials by installing them on the trusses or rafters.
18. Rafter
They’re the sloped metal or wood that forms the roof’s frame. They come in different sizes, and contractors can size them according to the weight they must handle and the distance they cover. House framing companies generally space them 16 or 24 inches apart to accommodate the roofing sheathing’s standard 4x8 sheet.
19. Cripples or Cripple Stud
They fit below or above window and door openings. They have unique marks on plates to indicate they’re not full-strength.
20. Floor Truss
They’re an alternative to standard floor joists made from dimensional lumber. Floor trusses provide a broad and stable surface, reduce squeaks, and leave room for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical runs.
Conclusion
Building a home goes beyond thorough planning and budgeting. Educating yourself on the different types and working with reputable house framing companies can help ensure a successful construction project.
If you need a professional house framing company for your construction needs, we can help. Konstruction Group Inc. provides reliable house framing services in Toronto and the greater area. Contact us now, and let’s help you build your dream home!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the general framing terms?
General framing terms include components like studs, joists, rafters, beams, headers, sills, plates, and sheathing, which form the structural skeleton of a home. These terms describe the individual members and assemblies that transfer loads from the roof down through the walls and into the foundation. Understanding these terms helps GTA homeowners communicate effectively with contractors and building inspectors during renovation or new construction projects.
What are the basics of framing a house?
House framing begins with the foundation sill plate, followed by the construction of floor systems, exterior and interior wall frames, and then the roof structure. Each level must be plumb, level, and square to ensure structural integrity and to meet Ontario Building Code requirements. In the GTA, framing must also account for local snow loads, wind uplift, and energy efficiency standards outlined in provincial regulations.
What are the 7 models of framing?
The seven recognised framing models include platform framing, balloon framing, timber framing, post-and-beam framing, steel framing, modular framing, and structural insulated panel (SIP) framing. Platform framing is by far the most common method used in GTA residential construction today, as each storey is built one floor at a time. Each model varies in material use, construction speed, cost, and thermal performance characteristics.
What are common mistakes when framing a wall?
Common framing mistakes include improperly sized or missing headers above openings, inconsistent stud spacing that undermines sheathing and drywall attachment, and walls that are not plumb or straight. Forgetting to account for shrinkage in lumber or using wet wood can lead to warping, squeaks, and drywall cracks over time. In the GTA, failing to follow Ontario Building Code specifications for load-bearing walls can result in failed inspections and costly corrections.
What are the 20 words associated with building and building construction?
Key construction terms include: stud, joist, rafter, beam, header, sill plate, top plate, sole plate, sheathing, blocking, rim joist, bearing wall, partition wall, ledger, ridge board, collar tie, king stud, jack stud, cripple stud, and trimmer. These terms collectively describe the essential components used in residential framing across the GTA and throughout Canada. Familiarity with this vocabulary empowers homeowners to read blueprints, understand contractor quotes, and make informed decisions during construction.
Sources & Methodology
Factual claims in this post were verified by Konstruction Group against applicable building code provisions, including the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 332/12) and the National Building Code of Canada 2020, which govern framing spacing and structural requirements. Material specifications for sheathing and roof assemblies were cross-referenced with CSA Group construction standards and Building Science Corporation technical guidance on building envelope assemblies.
Written & reviewed by
Fadi MamarCo-founder, Konstruction Group Inc
Engineering graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University with 14+ years in Toronto construction. Has overseen 500+ residential and commercial framing, insulation, and drywall projects across the GTA.
LinkedIn ProfileReady to Start Your Project?
Contact Konstruction Group for a free consultation and quote.
Get a Free Quote