You need to at least have some knowledge in construction in order to accomplish the task of framing the outside walls of your house. This is because framing an outside wall is the starting point of building an additional room to your house. It is very important to properly construct the framing of your exterior wall but you will find that the specific varies between one exterior wall and the other. Sometimes there are windows or even doors openings that you need to take into consideration. As for house structure designed with more than one level, you will find that the top plate of your exterior wall will definitely be different compared to a single level house. Normally, the normal length of the top and bottom plates of outside walls is 2-by-4-inches. However, the lengths vary depending on your walls lengths. Below are some of the steps that you should do in order to frame an outside wall of your house.
To frame outside walls, you need:
- Measuring tape
- 2-by-4-inch lumber
- 2-by-6-inch lumber
- ½-inch Plywood
- Sheathing
- Studs
- Hammer
- 16d nails
- Skill saw
- Carpenter’s square
- Chalk Line
Framing Exterior Walls
Framing the Outside Walls
- The first thing that you need to do especially when you want to frame a standard 8-foot wall is to
- Lay your 2-by-4-inch lumber in an end-to-end position before cutting the last lumber so that it would be able to match the length of your outside wall.
- After that, you need to take another row of 2 by 4-inch lumber and place it next to the first one.
- Lay your 2-by-4-inch lumber in an end-to-end position before cutting the last lumber so that it would be able to match the length of your outside wall.
- Next step is for you to measure approximately 1 ½-inch from either end of each of the 2 by 4-inch lumber and mark them.
- Then, measure 16-inches from one of the marks and mark the measure.
- This method should be repeated for the entire length of your bottom plate which is known as the center marks for your studs.
- Then, measure 16-inches from one of the marks and mark the measure.
- Once you finished the above step, you can proceed to measure approximately ¾-inch on either side of the center marks.
- Then, you have to draw a line by using your carpenter’s square across both rows of your 2 by 4-inch lumber in order to place the studs.
- Then, you have to draw a line by using your carpenter’s square across both rows of your 2 by 4-inch lumber in order to place the studs.
- You must place the marks to face each other by turning the rows on its edge.
- Next, you have to place a stud at each of the mark that you have created and use the 16d nails to secure them.
- Next, you have to place a stud at each of the mark that you have created and use the 16d nails to secure them.
- In order to create the bottom plate, you need to place a row of 2-by-4-inch lumber right at the bottom of one of the rows that overlap the butt joints before nailing them with each other.
- After that, you need to cut as many 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber into 14 ½-inches size. These lumbers will be used for joining the butt joints of the top section of your wall.
- Then, secure and nail them through the studs and your top plate.
- Then, secure and nail them through the studs and your top plate.
- If your outside walls come with windows, make sure that you measure and mark the windows location.
- Make sure that your rough openings are at least 2-inches larger than your window for both directions.
- Make sure that your rough openings are at least 2-inches larger than your window for both directions.
- Take the stud and place it at your desired locations in order to allow the correct opening for your window.
- Then, secure them by using 16d nails.
- After that, you need to cut as many cripple studs that you can make enabling you to span the opening in between the two studs that you have installed earlier right on the 16-inch centers.
- Then, secure them by using 16d nails.
- Next, you need to cut a sill out of your 2-by-4-inch lumber so that you can place it on top of the cripples before securing it onto the cripples with the two studs by using 16d nails.
- Then, you can proceed to cut two pieces of your 2-by-4-inch lumber which are two inches taller than your window.
- The pieces of lumber need to be secured with the top of the sill against the two studs using 16d nails.
- The pieces of lumber need to be secured with the top of the sill against the two studs using 16d nails.
- Once done, you need to take the 2-by-6-inch lumber and cut them into two pieces to the width between the two studs that you have created in Step number 2.
- Next step is to measure and cut a piece of your ½-inch plywood in order for it to match the 2-by-6-inch lumber.
- Next step is to measure and cut a piece of your ½-inch plywood in order for it to match the 2-by-6-inch lumber.
- Then, use the 16d nails to secure the pieces of material that you have created earlier from Step 5 where it will be the header of your window.
- After that, you should place the header right on top of the 2-by-4-inch lumber from Step 4 before securing it together with the studs on both sides.
- After that, you should place the header right on top of the 2-by-4-inch lumber from Step 4 before securing it together with the studs on both sides.
- Take the 2-by-4-inch lumber so that you can measure and cut short the pieces.
- This is to enable it to easily fit between the header’s top section and the top plate.
- Make sure to secure them by using the 16d nails.
- This is to enable it to easily fit between the header’s top section and the top plate.
- As for doors, you have to measure and mark its location while the rough opening should be approximately 2-inches larger in both directions.
- After that, you can proceed to place a stud according to your desired area in order to allow the correct opening for your door.
- Ensure that you secure them using 16d nails.
- The bottom plate need to be cut off which is between both of the studs.
- Ensure that you secure them using 16d nails.
- Next, take 2-by-4-inch lumber before you measure and cut two of it with at least 2-inches taller than your door.
- Make sure that you secure them against the two studs on both sides of your door opening.
- Make sure that you secure them against the two studs on both sides of your door opening.
- Then, the 2-by-6-inch lumber should be cut into two pieces in order to fit in between the two studs that you have prepared earlier from Step 3.
- Make sure to measure and cut a piece of the ½-inch plywood so that it would be able to match your 2-by-6-inch lumber.
- Make sure to measure and cut a piece of the ½-inch plywood so that it would be able to match your 2-by-6-inch lumber.
- Then, use the 16d nails to secure the three pieces of material that you have created earlier from Step 4 where it will be the header of your door.
- After that, you should place the header right on top of the 2-by-4-inch lumber from Step 3 before securing it together with the studs on both sides.
- After that, you should place the header right on top of the 2-by-4-inch lumber from Step 3 before securing it together with the studs on both sides.
- Take the 2-by-4-inch lumber so that you can measure and cut short the pieces.
- This is to enable it to easily fit between the header’s top section and the top plate.
- Make sure to secure them by using the 16d nails.
- This is to enable it to easily fit between the header’s top section and the top plate.
You should nail your door and window frames in all at once in order for you to easily install them and at the same time ensure that they are plumb in one single step.
Always remember that whenever you want to frame the outside walls of your house,
- Make sure that you add structural strength by aligning the studs together with your existing floor joists.
- Once your walls are completed, you will find that it will be tremendously heavy thus you need to seek some help from your families or friends to get it lifted.
- For those of you who decided to sheath your outside walls, you need to do some adjustments in order to square it once you have raised it up.
- If your local authority requires you to apply for a permit, you should attain them first before starting any of the above mentioned construction work.
