Complete Book of Framing An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction

The bestselling step-by-step framing guide—updated and expanded to meet 2018 codes and standards

Complete Book of Framing, Second Edition—Updated and Expanded is a comprehensive guide to rough carpentry and framing, written by an expert with over forty years of framing experience. This book guides the reader through step-by-step framing instructions for floors, walls, roofs, door and window openings, and stairs. Hundreds of full-color illustrations and photos enable novice and professional framers to understand and master framing techniques.

This Updated and Expanded Second Edition includes the framing techniques of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and updated OSHA rules. It also includes new coverage of today's electric tools, wind and earthquake framing, medical and physiological factors of framing, and a revised safety chapter. Builders will find information on nailing patters, overall layout, engineered wood patterns, and green framing. In addition, the book offers readers tools and techniques for preparing for a job and managing a team. This Second Edition—Updated and Expanded: 

• Includes hundreds of full-color illustrations depicting step-by-step framing techniques
• Offers guidance on today's electric tools and structural enhancements for natural disasters
• Features a revised chapter on safety to reflect the medical and physiological factors of framing
• Meets the framing techniques of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards

Complete Book of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction, Second Edition—Updated and Expanded is an excellent resource for framers, carpenters, and contractors of all experience levels. Framer-friendly tips throughout the book show how to complete framing tasks efficiently and effectively. 

Scot Simpson, owned his own construction firm, S.S. Framing in Edmonds, WA, for 36 years until his recent retirement. He developed and refined the methods in this book and used them to train his crews. Scot is the author of two other construction books and numerous articles for construction magazines, such as Fine Homebuilding and the Journal of Light Construction. In addition, he developed and hosted the video, "Resisting the Forces of Earthquakes" with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the International Conference of Building Officials.

About the Author xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction xv

Chapter 1: Introduction to Framing 1

Framing Terms 4

Framing Lumber 6

Framing Sheathing 7

Engineered Wood Products 8

Lumber and Wood Structural Panel Grade Stamps 12

Framing Nails 13

Framing Tools 14

The Switch to Cordless Tools 16

Framing Tool Truck 17

Cutting Lumber 18

Protecting Lumber from Decay 19

Preservative Treated Wood 21

Chapter 2: Nailing Patterns 23

Nail Top Plate to Studs 26

Nail Bottom Plate to Studs 26

Nail Double Plate to Top Plate 27

Nail Corner 27

Nail Walls Together or Nail Double Studs 27

Nail Trimmer to Stud 28

Concrete Nailing 28

Nail Bearing and Nonbearing Walls to Floor Perpendicular to Joists 29

Nail Bearing and Nonbearing Walls to Floor Parallel to Joists 29

Nail Header to Stud 30

Nail Let-in Bracing 31

Nail End of Joist 32

Nail Rim Joist 32

Nail Sheathing 33

Nail Built-up Girders and Beams 34

Nail Joist Blocking 34

Nail Lapping Joists 35

Nail Drywall Backing 35

Nail Trusses to Wall 36

Nail Ceiling Joist, Rafters, and Ridge 36

Nail Rafters to Wall 37

Nail Blocks 37

Nail Fascia and Bargeboard 38

Chapter 3: Floor Framing 39

Step 1–Crown and Place Joists 42

Steps 2 and 3–Nail Rim Joists in Place and Cut Joists to Length 43

Step 4–Nail Joists in Place 44

Step 5–Frame Openings in Joists 45

Steps 6 and 7–Block Bearing Walls and Nail Joists to Walls 46

Step 8–Drywall Backing 47

Step 9–Subfloor Sheathing 48

Chapter 4: Wall Framing 49

Step 1–Spread Headers 52

Step 2–Spread Makeup 53

Steps 3–7–Assemble Wall 54

Step 8–Square Wall 55

Step 9–Sheathe Wall 56

Step 10–Install Nail-Flange Windows 57

Steps 11–15–Standing and Setting Wall 58

Step 16–Plumb and Line 59

Framing Rake Walls 62

Chapter 5: Roof Framing 71

Roof Framing Terms 74

Step 1–Finding the Lengths of Common Rafters 76

Step 2–Cut Common Rafter 85

Step 3–Set Ridge Board 88

Step 4–Set Common Rafters 89

Step 5–Find Length of Hip and Valley Rafters 90

Step 6–Cut Hip and Valley Rafters 91

Step 7–Set Hip and Valley Rafters 93

Step 8–Set Jack Rafters 94

Step 9–Block Rafters and Lookouts 95

Step 10–Set Fascia 95

Step 11–Install Sheathing 96

Learning Rafters by Example 97

Ceiling Joists 108

Step 1–Spread Trusses 110

Step 2–Sheathe Gable Ends 111

Step 3–Set Gable Ends 111

Step 4–Roll Trusses 112

Steps 5–8 113

Chapter 6: Doors, Windows, and Stairs 115

Door Framing Terms 118

Installation of Exterior Doors 118

Installation of Nail-Flange Window 121

Installation of Window Flashing 122

Steps for Window Flashing Installation When Windows Installed Before WRB (Weather Resistant Barrier) 123

Steps for Window Flashing Installation When Windows Installed After WRB (Weather Resistant Barrier) 124

Installation of Sliding Glass Doors 125

Installation of Stairs 126

Circular Stairs 131

Chapter 7: Layout 139

Wall Layout 142

Joist Layout 157

Rafter or Truss Layout 159

Roof Layout 159

Chapter 8: Engineered Wood Products 161

Engineered Panel Products 164

Engineered Lumber Products 165

Chapter 9: Wind and Earthquake Framing 185

The Strength of Good Framing 188

Understanding Structural Loads 188

Building Code Load Requirements 189

Regional Considerations 190

Framing Details 190

Hold-Downs 197

Positive Placement Nail Guns 202

Chapter 10: Building Code Requirements 205

Introduction to Building Codes 208

Framing According to Code 212

Protection from Decay 230

Termite Protection 238

Chapter 11: Green Framing 239

Green Framing Feeling 242

Advanced Framing 242

Material Selection 244

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) 245

SIP Installation 245

SIP Tools 251

Chapter 12: Preparing for a Job 253

Developing a Job Start Checklist 256

Reviewing the Plans and Making Preparations 259

Organizing the Job Site 263

Chapter 13: Managing the Framing Start 267

Checking Exterior Wall Dimensions 270

Checking Reference Lines for Square 271

Adjusting Reference Lines 272

Checking the Building for Level 274

Chapter 14: Managing a Framing Team 279

Managing Your Team 282

The Role of Lead Framers 283

Quality Control 292

Organizing Tools and Materials 293

Teaching Framers 296

Framing Tips for Every Task 298

Planning and Scheduling 306

Recordkeeping 308

Productivity 310

Chapter 15: Safety 317

Personal Protective Equipment 320

Hand Tools 321

Ladders 323

Fall Protection 323

Rough Terrain Forklift Safety 325

Housekeeping 327

Chapter 16: Healthy Framing 331

Healthy Framing 333

Injuries and Prevention 334

NIOSH Lifting Equation 336

Power Tool Weights 337

Lumber Weight Chart 338

Stretching 339

Noise 340

Glossary 343

Spanish Framing Terms 351

Index 359

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