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HEART College of Construction Services

General Construction •
UNIT: Assemble simple partition frames

Parts of a door frame

If you have ever been around a builder or in a timber yard or a DIY store you may of heard some
terms that you are unsure of their meaning or what they are. You may think a door frame is just that,
simply called a door frame. Well, you'll be wrong, there are many parts that make up a door frame
and I will explain them below.

A door frame is typically made out of wood for internal door frames, both hard and soft woods are
used, hard wood such as oak is more expensive than the cheapest option of pine. External door
frames can be made out of wood, metal or plastic, this will depend on the type of door you have. In
-;,. this post I am talking about an internal soft wood door frame.

Parts of a door frame Parts of a Window Frame

ti
L

Header
Sto s Shfflhln9
frintmtr stud
l<ingstud

Atchltnlve

8111 / Threshold

.,1:: Spacer l>loclcs ~srud coma- post

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1
Door frame

An internal door frame is commonly made out of softwood such as pine, it is smooth planed timber
and is known as a door frame, a door casing or door lining. It doesn't matter what you call it, they are
all the same thing. The frame comes in different depths to suit different wall thickness. The door
frame is made up from several parts, a head, legs or Jamb, a sill or threshold and door stops. The
frame is then finished off with a moulding called an architrave.

The door frame set

If you bought a new door frame you would buy a door frame "set" which includes all the parts to build
the door frame, the set will have a head, two legs or jambs and door stops, you do not get any
architrave in the set and will have to be bought separately. I will explain each part of the set below.

Door frame - head

The head is the top of the door frame, it allows to two side members of the frame, the legs/jamb to fit
into a grove. The door frame head has grooves cut into it at two widths allowing you to choose the
width of opening, if the inner groves are used the wood sticking out beyond the frame, known as
horns, can be sawn off.

Door frame - legs / jambs

The door frame upright parts are called legs or jambs, in a finished frame one side has the hinges
screwed into it and the other side has the door lock keep fitted to it. Some frame legs are rebated so
a door stop isn't required as the rebate makes the stop.

Door frame - door stop

The door stop is a thin piece of wood that is fixed to the inside of the leg I jamb, it's job as the name
suggests is to stop the door. With out a door stop the door can't be halted and would rip of it's higes.
If the leg/ jamb has a rebate a door stop isn't required.

Door tram~ - sill / threshold

The door frame sill or threshold is the horizontal part at the bottom of the legs I jambs, t~is isn'.t
normally found in interior frames but can be seen on external door frames; It's purpose 1s to give the
frame rigidity and to help channel the water away as it runs off the door. Its also the part you carry
the bride over once you are married.

Architrave trim

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7
Architraves are decorative mouldings. Not bought in a door frame set, these are bought separately
as they cor boards.
Framing
.-tapOOUble

Double -..
TopPlate . .
ToPPlare
min. 4'
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i fflmmer.,..
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King Stud ..

t -~
l<lngStud-
Studs
- '-

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· SUbfloor
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Bottom
Cripples

l
,JntetNAOII DoorRougl\ L
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Bottom Pa

Framing, in construction is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape.
Framing materials are usually wood, engineered wood, or structural steel. Building framing is
divided into two broad categories, heavy-frame construction (heavy framing) if the vertical
supports are few and heavy such as in timber framing, pole building framing, or steel framing or
many and smaller called light-frame construction (light framing) including balloon, platform and
light-steel framing. Light-frame construction using standardized dimensional lumber has become the
dominant construction method in North America and Australia because of its economy. Use of
minimal structural materials allows builders to enclose a large area with minimal cost, while
achieving a wide variety of architectural styles. Historically mankind fitted naturally shaped wooden
poles together as framework and then began using joints to connect the timbers, a method today
called traditional timber framing. Timber framing was superseded by balloon framing beginning in
the 1830s in America which is made up of many light-weight wall members called studs rather than
using fewer, heavier supports called posts, and was nailed together rather than using joinery. The
studs in a balloon frame extend two stories from sill to plate. Platform framing superseded balloon
framing and is the standard wooden framing method today. The name comes from each floor level
being framed as a separate unit or platform.
Modern light-frame structures usually gain strength from rigid panels (plywood and other plywood-
like composites such as oriented strand board (OSB) used to form all or part of wall sections) but
until recently carpenters employed various forms of diagonal bracing to stabilize walls. Diagonal
bracing remains a vital interior part of many wall systems, as is required by building codes in many
municipalities or by individual state laws in the United States. Special framed shear walls are

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I

becoming more common to help buildings meet the requirements of earthquake

engineering and wind engineering.

The alternative to framed construction is generally called mass wall construction which is made from
horizontal layers of stacked materials such as log building, masonry, rammed earth, adobe, etc.

Walls
Wall framing in house construction includes the vertical and
horizontal members of exterior walls and interior partitions, both
of bearing walls and non-bearing walls. These stick members,
referred to as studs, wall plates and lintels (headers), serve as a
nailing base for all covering material and support the upper floor
platforms, which provide the lateral strength along a wall. The
platforms may be the boxed structure of a ceiling and roof, or the
ceiling and floor joists of the story above. The technique is variously referred to colloquially in the
building trades as stick and frame, stick and platform, or stick and box as the sticks (studs) give the
structure its vertical support, and the box-shaped floor sections with joists contained within length-
long post and lintels (more commonly called headers), support the weight of whatever is above,
including the next wall up and the roof above the top story. The platform also provides the lateral
support against wind and holds the stick walls true and square. Any lower platform supports the
weight of the platforms and walls above the level of its component headers and joists.

Framing lumber should be grade-stamped, and have a moisture content not exceeding 19%.
There are three historically common methods of framing a house.

• Post and beam, which is now used predominantly in barn construction.

• Balloon framing using a technique suspending floors from the walls was common until the late
1940s, but since that time, platform framing has become the predominant form of house
construction.
• Platform framing often forms wall sections horizontally on the sub-floor prior to erection, easing
positioning of studs and increasing accuracy while cutting the necessary manpower. The top
and bottom plates are end-nailed to each stud with two nails at least 3.25 in (83 mm) in length
(16d or 16 penny nails). Studs are at least doubled (creating posts) at openings, the jack stud
being cut to receive the lintels(headers) that are placed and end-nailed through the outer studs
Wall sheathing, usually a plywood or other laminate, is usually applied to the framing prior to
erection, thus eliminating the need to scaffold, and again increasing speed and cutting manpower
needs and expenses. Some types of exterior sheathing, such as asphalt-
impregnated fibreboard, plywood, oriented strand board and waferboard, will provide adequate

.
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/j
bracing to resist lateral loads and keep the wall square. (Construction codes in most jurisdictions
require a stiff plywood sheathing.) Others, such as rigid glass-fibre, asphalt-coated
fibreboard, polystyrene or polyurethane board, will not. In this latter case, the wall should be
reinforced with a diagonal wood or metal bracing inset into the studs. In jurisdictions subject to
strong wind storms (hurricane countries, tornado alleys) local codes or state law will generally
require both the diagonal wind braces and the stiff exterior sheathing regardless of the type and kind
of outer weather resistant coverings.

Corners
A multiple-stud post made up of at least t~ree studs, or the equivalent, is generally used at exterior
corners and intersections to secure a good tie between adjoining walls and to provide nailing support
for the interior finish and exterior sheathing. Corners and intersections, however, must be framed
with at least two studs.
Nailing support for the edges of the ceiling is required at the junction of the wall and ceiling where
partitions run parallel to the ceiling joists. This material is commonly referred to as 'dead wood' or
backing.

Exterior wall studs

Wall framing in house construction includes the vertical and horizontal members of exterior walls and
interior partitions. These members referred to as studs, wall plates and lintels, serve as a nailing
base for all covering material and support the upper floors, ceiling and roof.
Exterior wall studs are the vertical members to which the wall sheathing and cladding are attached .
.They are supported on a bottom plate or foundation sill and in turn support the top plate. Studs
usually consist of 1.5 in x 3,5 i.n (38 mm x 89 mm) or 1.5 in x 5.5 in (38 mm x 140 mm) lumber and
are commonly spaced at 16 in (410 mm) on centre. This spacing may be changed to 12 or 24 in
(300 or 610 mm) on centre depending on the load and the limitations imposed by the type and
thickness of the wall covering used. Wider 1.5 in x 5.5 in (38 mm x 140 inm) studs may be used to
provide space for more insulation. Insulation beyond that which can be accommodated within a
3.5 in (89 mm) stud space can also be provided by other means, such as rigid or semi-rigid
insulation or batts between 1.5 in x 1.5 in (38 mm x 38 mm) horizontal furring strips, or rigid or semi-
rigid insulation sheathing to the outside of the studs. The studs are attached to horizontal top and
bottom wall plates of 1.5 in (38 mm) lumber that are the same width as the studs.

Interior partitions
Interior partitions supporting floor, ceiling or roof loads are called loadbearing walls; others are called
non-loadbearing or simply partitions. Interior loadbearing walls are framed in the same way as

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C
exterior walls. Studs are usually 1.5 in x 3.5 in (38 mm x 89 mm) lumber spaced at 16 in (410 mm)
on centre. This spacing may be changed to 12 or 24 in (300 or 610 mm) depending on the loads
supported and the type and thickness of the wall finish used. [7)

Partitions can be built with 1.5 in x 2.5 in (38 mm x_64 mm) or 1.5 in x 3.5 in (38 mm x 89 mm) studs
spaced at 16 or 24 in (410 or 610 mm) on center depending on the type and thickness of the wall
finish used. Where a partition does not contain a swinging door, 1.5 in x 3.5 in (38 mm x 89 mm)
studs at 16 in (410 mm) on centre are sometimes used with the wide face of the stud parallel to the
wall. This is usually done only for partitions enclosing clothes closets ~r cupboards to save space.
Since there is no vertical load to be supported by partitions, single studs may be used at door
openings. The top of the opening may be bridged with a single piece of 1.5 in (38 mm) lumber the
same width as the studs. These members provide a nailing support for wall finish, door frames and

Lintels (headers)
Lintels (or; headers) are the horizontal members placed over window, door and other openings to
carry loads to the adjoining studs. Lintels are usually constructed of two pieces of 2 in (nominal)
(38 mm) lumber separated with spacers to the width of the studs and nailed together to form a single
unit. The preferable spacer material is rigid insulation. The depth of a lintel is determined by the
Width of the opening and vertical loads supported.

Wall sections
The c·omplete wall sections are then raised and put in place, temporary braces added and the
bottom plates nailed through the subfloor to the floor framing members. The braces should have
their larger dimension on the vertical and should permit adjustment of the vertical position of the wall.

Once the assembled sections are plumbed, they are nailed together at the comers and intersections.
A strip of polyethylene is often placed between the interior walls and the exterior wall, and above the
first top plate of interior walls before the second top plate is applied to attain continuity of the air
barrier.

Balloon framing
Balloon framing is a method
Balloon Framing Detalla
of wood construction - also known as "Chicago
construction" in the 19th century- used primarily
in Scandinavia, Canada and the United States (up
until the mid-1950s). It utilizes long continuous
framing members (studs) that run from the sill
plate to the top plate, with intermediate floor
structures let into and nailed to them. Here the

fmldD l#'S 2><.6 In..

24 in. Of1•C4flter.
heights of window sills, headers and next floor height would be marked out on the studs with
a storey pole. Once popular when long lumber was plentiful, balloon framing has been largely
replaced by platform framing.

The main difference between platform and balloon framin9.i1_at the floor lioes. Ihe balloo~
~II studs extend from the sill of the first story all the way to the top plate-#or end rafter of the second
story. T.!Le platform-framed~ll 1 on the other hand, is ind~nt for each floo~.

Balloon framing has several disadvantages as a construction method:

1. The creation of a path for fire to readily travel from floor to floor. This is mitigated with the use
of fire-stops at each floor level.
2. The lack of a working platform for work on upper floors. Whereas workers can readily reach
the top of the walls being erected with platform framing, balloon construction requires
scaffolding to reach the tops of the walls (which are often two or three stories above the
working platform).
3. The requirement for long framing members.
4. Present-day balloon framing buildings often have higher heating costs, due to the lack of
insulation separating a room from its exterior walls. However, this can be remedied through
the addition of insulation, as with any other framed building.
5. Since steel is generally more fire-resistant than wood, and steel framing members can be
made to arbitrary lengths, balloon framing is growing in popularity again in light gauge steel
stud construction. Balloon framing provides a more direct load path down to the foundation.
Additionally, balloon framing allows more flexibility for tradesmen in that it is significantly
easier to pull wire, piping and ducting without having to bore through or work around framing
members

Plat£orm framing
In Canada and the United States, the most common
method of light-frame construction for houses and
small apartment buildings as well as other small
commercial buildings is platform framing-'stick
framing' or 'stick corlstruction' as each element is built
up stick by stick, which was also true in the other stick
framing method, in the obsolete and labor-intensive, but
previously fashionable, balloon framing method.
Generally, the flooring ('platform') is constructed then the
walls built on top of that layer, then another atop that, and

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 . ethodologies and those have
·ng construction m d and
so forth making for quick efficient labor sav1 . h ve been developed to spee t
quickened further as technologies such as joist hangers a become so common and pervasive tha
enhance the technology. The methods and techniques ~avte hniques and indeed the same tools
'fi d f of platform framing ec fl is
even Skyscrapers use a modi ie orm I k I ton Once the platform oor
h · "f I tructura s e e ·
and technologies once construction builds t e m1 ,a s ·1 d' ectly transfer an outline of the
laid down, the builder's crew can with chalk line, r~le and p_enc1 .:h ease and precision from the
exterior and interior walls, their openings and relative locations w1
plans or builders blue prints. .
bl' g (using nails) consistently
The floors walls and roof of a framed structure are created by assem m . II d' . ·ons of 4
sized fra~ing elements of dimensional lumber (e.g. 2x4s) at regular spacings (typ1ca y 1v1s1
and 8 feet or such as 12 16 19.2 or 24 inches on center). The empty space formed between
, ' ' ' . . . fl T g The floors walls and
elements is called a stud bay in the wall and a 101st bay m the oor or cei m · ' .
. . • f I od or composite wood skin
roof are typically made torsionally stable with the installation o a P ywo · · .
referred to as sheathing. Sheathing has very specific requirements (such as thickness and spacing
of nailing). These measures allow a known amount of shear force to be resisted by the elements.
Spacing the framing members properly usually allows them to align with the edges of standard
sheathing. In the past, tongue and groove planks installed diagonally were used as sheathing.
Occasionally, wooden or galvanized steel braces are used instead of sheathing. There are
also engineered wood panels made for shear and bracing.
The floor, or the platform in this framing type's name, is made up of joists (usually 2x6, 2x8, 2x1Q or
2x12 depending on the span, on edge thus the wider joist supporting weight for a greater distance)
that sit on supporting foundation walls, beams, columns or girders within and at right angle to
doubled outside members also on edge (the band), forming a box. The outer perimeter is nearly the
same (3 inch vs. 3.5 inches) width as the support sill. The joists will generally be installed across the
shortest distance of any floor span rectangle. The outer layer of the band will overlap the inner layer
with staggered end joints creating a stronger box. If joist hangers are not used, the installation of the
outer board in the band is delayed to allow through-nailing directly into the ends of the joists.

The floor joists are spaced at 12 in, 16 in and 24 in on center, depending upon the live load needs of
the design - the closer the spacing and the wider the floor joist dimension, the less the floor will flex.
It is then usually covered with a 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor. In the century past,
1x planks set at 45-degrees to the joists were used for the first subfloor layer, and a second layer of
1x planks set at 90-degrees to the floor cladding topped that as the second subfloor layer. In that
same era, all flooring choices were a very short menu of choices between finished wood types or
ceramic tiles versus today's extensive multipage menu of manufactured flooring types.

Floor joists can be engineered lumber (trussed, I-joist, etc.), conserving resources with increased
rigidity and value. They are semi-custom manufactured to allow access for runs of plumbing, HVAC,

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R
etc. and some 'common-needs' forms are pre-manufactured as semi-mass-produced standard
products made on a per order basis, like roofing trusses.

Materials
Light-frame materials are most often wood or rectangular steel, tubes or C-channels. Wood pieces
are typically connected with nail fastener nails or screws; steel pieces are connected with nuts and
bolts. Preferred species for linear structural members are sottwoods such as spruce, pine and fir.
Light frame material dimensions range from 38 by 89 mm (1.5 by 3.5 in); i.e., a Dimensional number
two-by-four to 5 cm by 30 cm (two-by-twelve inches) at the cross-section.
Recently, architects have begun experimenting with pre-cut modular aluminum framing to reduce on-

site construction costs.

Wall panels built of studs are interrupted by sections that
provide rough openings for doors and windows. Openings are
typically spanned by a header or lintel that bears the weight of
structure above the opening. Headers are usually built to rest
on trimmers, also called jacks. Areas around windows are
defined by a sill beneath the window, and cripples, which are
shorter studs that span the area from the bottom plate to the sill
and sometimes from the top of the window to a header, or from
a header to a top plate. Diagonal bracings made of wood or
steel provide shear (horizontal strength) as do panels of
sheeting nailed to studs, sills and headers.

Light-gauge metal stud framing

Wall sections usually include a bottom plate which is secured to the structure of a floor, and one, or
more often two top plates that tie walls together and provide a bearing for structures above the wall.
Wood or steel floor frames usually include a rim joist around the perimeter of a system of floor joists,
and often include bridging material near the center of a span to prevent lateral buckling of the
spanning members. In two-story construction, openings are left in the floor system for a stairwell, in
which stair risers and treads are most often attached to squared faces cut into sloping stair stringers.
Interior wall coverings in light-frame construction typically include wallboard, lath and plaster or
decorative wood paneling.

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n
 Typical timber wall framing

Typical Wall Framing

. : j..· <•· -,,- · ,·- •• •·1.,, .,.,,, •;.,c.·

,' \

Sole Plate \
.t:f
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1J
-~· t,:
,·; ,.,,. "'

\ ,
Header
'- Header
" - Double
- King Stud Top Plate
- - Trimmer ,_ King Stud
Cripple
Trimmer
Siil 7
- Wall-Stud
I I

,,- Bottom
Plate
/

EXJiE,R I0R)·W ~Lt FRAMING

Dry wall handout created by: Ainsley Logan August 15, 2018
 3

Timber or metal bracing /~

Top plate
_.,.,/2
Sheet
!,racing

Common
Stllcl

Nogging

wall - - ----=~ml _--.L:,p:-- - Bottom plate

Jack stL1d
Jamb stud

24•• Spacing Pattern

Top Cripple
Pl.a te
1,,terior
Wall
Stud

Window King
Stud Door
Opening
Jack Opening
Studs
, ..__ _ Jack
11
Studs

Cripple

?' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Sill Plate
- - - - - - - - - - - Anchor Bolts -

Dry wall handout created by: Ainsley Logan August 15, 2018
 I

Basic Wall Framing Terminology

Bv walls_lor through walls I are the long walls. ------ _.,,------;; Bull walls 1n1ersect t11e bv walls.

1oo olaie ltlouole 100 olale ivo1ca1 on

On exten!l walls. lhey 1vo1ca11v ex1end lhe
full length ol the building llun 10 rhe
"~"'"'""·""' .
.....____,_ /
_,,
......,-
On exierior 'llafts. mev are 1vmca11v
. lhe_gable-end walls: !he\' hllll.
.,
exmnor and inrerior lllaring 'I/alls)

ladoer back bloc~\ng serves as anachment

ooinrs lor lnte1SllCt1ng 031111100 wall
\see de1a1 below tor al!emanve me1hoctl

Shealhltm £ctge of deck

Corner slUd joins
bun walls 10 bv walls.
see derails below tor rwcal
)
a11ac1unen1 merhods

Bottomolare
[d\leoldeck

Partition Stud Typical Three-Stud

Blocking Three-Stud Corner "California" Corner

. '1
' \ .' : \/
Three SIUOS are nailed
togetter In aU-shae2 £xte11orbvv1~\
\' i i I
;' \
:'-.1 '\ i ··-:-- -.-·:· I \

D,
Dry wall handout created by: Ainsley Logan August 15, 2018
 Typical corner connection for timber wall construction

Plan • viewed from above

d IOvli
fij[:~-- !Li flL '- · LI i
i I i .:: / / ]x srud

b:
1 !;
! ,i I 1/r·
I 11! '1 /
-- 3xs1ud
bottom plate
11':. I.(
· I I

J'j
metal clip
r insulation

L-~
\: l '. i /
u;JJJJr-"""
:~:_:•:)/~\::·.;~
' -J

blk .
oc ·rn~ - ~• \
ITTrrl I / /
!I-1
I
lI I I /ci
7 \[~ j
,1ud - - -
ho11ompla1c /,

~~p
Iii !k?

D
Dry wall handout created by: Ainsley Logan August 15, 2018
,.
Typical track and stud wall framing

TRACK

,
n
I
STEEL O
STUD--

STEEL-STUDDE D WALL

l/.-\ .. t o 3/4 -

]
(6.35 to 1 9. 0S rn rn }

--r-
1 S I B "" to 2 ..
(4 1 .2 8 to so.a mn, )
I __
_.:J_
!
· , - - - -- 3 s,s- toS.,. --- - - Ji
i (92.0 7 mm to 203.2 mm)

T --
3/4- t o

( 19.0S , o s o .s .;"ml
2 .. ~I~==========~u
1------ 3s1s - to8""
(92.0 7 mm t o 2 0 3.2 mm )
- 1
LIGHT GAUGE STEEL
FRAMING

Furring
Track Channel
C-Stud / Joist F-Section
T-Section U-Section
S-Section

orv wall handout created by: Ainsley Logan Au gust 15, 2018