FRAME ASSEMBLY #1 - Illustrated
How to make a Wall Frame
1. Identifying the members:
Wall Framing is (2x4) stock.
For the rDome Pentagon, ignore the above instructions, "Cut underside of Bottom Plate at each side of doorway" because to do that will compromise the lateral strength of the structure. Measure the pre hung door accordingly. When the Wall Frame has been squared, straightened and fixed in place, the pre hung door slides into place.
BOTTOM PLATE: Wall plate, sole plate; The bottom horizontal framing member of the wall. For the rDome Pentagon, the Bottom Plate length of each board is 92 1/4".
CRIPPLE STUD: Short studs placed between the header / lintel and a top plate or between a sill and bottom plate.
HEADER: Lintel; A beam placed perpendicular to wall studs above doors, windows or other openings, to carry the weight of structural loads. The Header is usually two 2" thick pieces of lumber nailed together to form one 4" thick piece. The width of the Header depends on the required span.
NOGGING: Dwang; A short piece of timber set between two studs, joists, rafters or purlins to keep them rigid.
ROUGH OPENING: Trim size; The framed-in opening, slightly larger than the actual window/door, that replaces wall studs to support the structure and accommodate a window/door.
STUD: A 2x4 vertical framing member used to construct walls. The height of the rDome Pentagon is optional.
TOP PLATE: The top horizontal framing member of the wall. For the rDome Pentagon, the length of each Top Plate is 92 1/4".
TRIMMER: Under stud; Framing member that is cut to fit between the bottom PLATE and the HEADER.
2. Marking the Top and Bottom Plates for Studs:
First of all, cut all the Wall Plates in place, top and bottom and place on the floor or surface where they are intended to go, just to make sure that they all fit according to plan.
Take the top and bottom Wall Plates of one wall, temporary nail or clamp together and place on a couple of saw stools for marking Stud and Trimmer Stud positions.
3. Placing and fixing the Studs:
Lay and fix the Studs in place between the Top and Bottom Plates.
The length of the Stud should be the required ceiling height less the thickness of the Top and Bottom Plates.
4. Placing and fixing the Noggings:
Fix the Noggings and Blocking in place between the Studs. At least one row of Noggings can help minimize twisting and warping.
5. Placing and fixing the Trimmer Studs and Headers:
Lay and fix the Trimmer Studs and Headers in place. The Header is usually two 2" thick pieces of lumber nailed together to form one 4" thick piece. The width of the Header depends on the required span.
The width and height of the Trim size (Rough opening) should be slightly larger than the actual window or door finished frame size, by at least 10mm (3/8").
6. Connecting pentagon wall frames together with hinges:
Screw hinges in place to connect the wall frames as indicted in the above illustration (actual hinge connection would occur after each frame was completely finished).
FRAME ASSEMBLY #2 - Actual Assembly
Mark Boards Clearly Align Top & Bottom Plates Measure Both Diagonals
Align Blocking w/ Studs Frame Openings Finished Wall
Connect Walls w/Hinges Roof Detail Finished Framing w/ Dome Roof
1. When picking boards, either at the lumber yard or used, try to get straight
studs, within reason. It makes everything easier later.
2. If the structure is going to sit on the ground, use pressure treated lumber
(resists rot and termites) and use galvanized screws or nails in the pressure
treated wood.
3. When doing layout, cut the bottom and top plates the same, lay them next
to each other. Measure the width of your doors or windows and decide where
you want them in the wall. To center them in the wall, find the center of the wall
and mark it (example - for the 92 1/4" plates, measure 46 1/8” from each end
to make sure it really is the center). Next figure the center of the door or
window rough opening. If the door or window is in it's jamb (Definition of jamb:
"One of a pair of vertical posts or pieces that together form the sides of a door
or window frame." See the illustration in first Frame Assembly above), measure
the total width and add 1". If it's not in the jamb and you want to add a jamb,
add 2" to the door or window width. Divide this number in half (i.e.- if the door is
36" wide w/o jamb, add 2" for rough opening and divide it in half =19"). Find the
center mark on the plate and measure 1/2 the rough opening width in each
direction, (i.e.-19") and mark those lines. I suggest using a carpenter's pencil
on the pressure treated lumber to make a heavy, dark line.
4. Lay the bottom and top plates on their edges with one stud at each end to
form a square and attach the end studs by nailing or screwing through the plate
into the end of the stud. Now measure diagonally across the wall in each direction.
These should be the same within an 1/8"(+ -). If they aren't, push or pull the
frame to adjust the squareness. Once you have the frame square it is easier to
install the rest of the studs and should make attaching the walls to each other
easier.
5. It's often easier to pre-attach the trimmers (See example of trimmer or
understud in the first Frame Assembly illustration above) to the king studs (king
studs run from the top to the bottom plates for windows and doors and are
attached to the trimmers) while they are laying on sawhorses or the ground. Try
to use the straightest studs for kings.
6. If you need horizontal blocking (horizontal blocking is the same thing as
blocking or nogging shown in the first Frame Assembly illustration above) for
your siding, measure for the blocking length at the bottom plate, not at the block
location. This will help to straighten bowed or warped studs and ease the
installation of the siding.
7. If you are working alone, using hinges to attach the walls to each other, it's easier
to install them while the wall is lying down. Measure the same distance from the top
plate and the bottom plate on the end studs of each wall and mark it (ie.-12"). Use
that mark as a reference point and attach 1/2 of the hinge at the same place on
each wall.
