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Carpentry Class: Wall Systems

Introduction

  • Presenter: Jonathan Bird

  • Course: Carpentry Class at Muscle Shoals Career Academy

  • Topic: Wall systems

  • Structure of the Lesson: Hands-on construction of walls and written theory.

Vocabulary for Wall Systems

  • Blocking: A piece of wood nailed between framing members (e.g., between studs), used for support, especially for cabinetry installation.

  • Cripple Stud: A short stud between a header and a top plate, or a rough seal and sole plate, providing support and filling space.

  • Double Top Plate: Two horizontal members at the top of a wall, used to connect intersecting walls.

  • Header: A structural member that carries weight over an opening, transferring the weight to the foundation.

  • Partition Wall: An interior wall that does not support weight (non-weight-bearing). If weight-bearing, it’s called a bearing partition.

  • King Stud: A full-length stud that runs from the top to the bottom plate, attached to a trimmer stud and supporting the header.

  • Rough Opening: A framed opening for doors or windows, normally larger than the fixture to allow fitting.

  • Sole Plate: The bottom horizontal piece of wood in a wall assembly.

  • Trimmer Stud: A stud supporting the header and carrying weight down to the foundation.

  • Top Plate: The horizontal piece along the top of the wall.

Components of Wall Construction

  • Corner Assembly:

    • Corner post, full-length studs, and blocking to carry weight and provide nailing surface for drywall and sheathing.

  • Tee Post: Connects walls forming a 90-degree angle.

  • Rough Opening Size: Must accommodate the fixture plus additional space for ease of installation (usually add 1 inch to the size).

  • Header Size Calculation:

    • Header width = Rough opening width + width of two trimmer studs (1.5 inches each, thus +3 inches).

Framing Wall Steps

  1. Mark wall locations on the floor using a chalk line.

  2. Mark locations for headers and intersecting walls on the top and sole plates.

  3. Mark stud locations (16 inches on center). Use crow's foot marking technique.

  4. Place preassembled headers, corner posts, and partitions in their designated positions between top and sole plates.

  5. Insert studs at marked locations, ensuring crowns face upward and replace unusable crooked wood.

  6. Nail components together using appropriate nails for 2x4 (16D) or 2x6 walls (3/16D).

Importance of Blocking in Walls

  • Purpose of Blocking:

    • Provides stiffness, prevents bowing of studs, and slows fire spread by blocking oxygen flow between wall cavities.

  • Common places for blocking:

    • Near cabinetry, toilets, and for hanging fixtures.

Window and Door Measurements

  • Measurements provided in feet and inches.

    • Example: A 2-6-3-0 window: 2 feet 6 inches wide, 3 feet tall.

  • Rough Opening Formula: Rough opening = Width of window + jamb thickness + shim thickness.

  • Standard practice for vinyl windows: Add 1 inch to window size for rough openings.

Stud Length Specifications

  • Studs from the lumberyard:

    • 8-foot walls: 92.625 inches

    • 9-foot walls: 104.625 inches

    • 10-foot walls: 116.625 inches

  • For walls taller than 10 feet, cut studs on-site.

  • Stud Length Calculation Example:

    • For a 97.125-inch ceiling height, accounting for 5/8 inch drywall on the ceiling and 1/2 inch underlayment, stud length calculated as 93.25 inches.

Steel Studs

  • Advantages of Steel Studs:

    • Stronger, lighter, don’t warp or burn, and have pre-punched holes for plumbing and wiring.

  • Disadvantages:

    • Higher cost compared to wood studs.

Sheathing Information

  • Materials:

    • Plywood or OSB sheathing used to provide stiffness and strength to walls.

    • Vinyl siding requires at least 3/8 inch thick sheathing.

Construction with Masonry Walls

  • Use furring strips made of 1x2 pressure-treated lumber nailed to concrete walls, spaced at 16 inches apart.

Importance of Estimating

  • Accurate estimations are critical for avoiding excess material purchases and maintaining business profitability.

  • Estimating Example:

    • Calculate quantities for top plates, sole plates, and studs based on perimeter lengths and specific wall dimensions to determine needed materials.

Alternative Wall Systems

  • Curtain Wall System:

    • When the structure is concrete or steel with exterior walls built off-site from materials like glass.

  • Structural Concrete Buildings:

    • Entire structure relies on concrete members, including embedded steel rebar for added strength.

  • Tilt-Up Construction:

    • A method where large wall panels are formed and poured at ground level and then lifted into place; requires heavy lifting equipment.

Conclusion

  • The lesson included hands-on practice, critical theory, safety protocols, and estimation techniques relevant for carpentry and wall construction.

  • Emphasis placed on understanding structural components and industry standards for quality construction.