Chapter 5 - Notes

Question 1

What is the most versatile of all building systems?

Answer 1

Wood light frame construction

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of wood light frame construction?

Answer 2

It burns rapidly, decays if exposed to dampness, expands and contracts significantly in response to humidity, and looks unattractive.

Question 3

When was wood light frame construction developed?

Answer 3

First half of the 19th century

Question 4

What’s the difference between a balloon frame and platform frame?

Answer 4

Balloon frames used full-length studs that ran continuously for two stories from foundation to roof.

Question 5

How is a platform framed house constructed?

Answer 5

1. Floor platform is built
2. Loadbearing walls are erected upon it.
3. A second-floor platform is built upon the walls and a second set of walls upon this platform.
4. The attic and roof are built upon the second set of walls.

Question 6

How far are framing members spaced in wood light frame construction?

Answer 6

16 inches on center or 24 inches o.c.

Question 7

What is sheathing?

Answer 7

A facing layer of boards or panels that join and stabilize the pieces into a single structural unit.

Question 8

What are rim boards or band joists?

Answer 8

The crosspieces at the ends of the floor joists in a floor structure.

Question 9

What is subflooring?

Answer 9

The sheathing applied over the floor framing.

Question 10

What are studs?

Answer 10

The parallel pieces in a wall structure.

Question 11

What’s a sole plate or bottom plate?

Answer 11

The crosspiece at the bottom of the wall.

Question 12

What’s a top plate?

Answer 12

A crosspiece at the top of a wall which if frequently doubled for strength.

Question 13

What’s a ridge board?

Answer 13

The board at a roof’s peak.

Question 14

What are floor joists?

Answer 14

The parallel boards that run from rib board to rim board.

Question 15

What are headers and trimmers?

Answer 15

Frame openings for windows, skylights, chimney, etc.

Question 16

What’s a sill?

Answer 16

A board that heads off the bottoms of window and door openings.

Question 17

Where are trimmer studs?

Answer 17

On the sides of window and door openings.

Question 18

Foundations must be insulated to reduce the exchange of heat with the surrounding soil. T/F

Answer 18

True

Question 19

What are framing plans?

Answer 19

An efficient layout with appropriate sizes for joists and rafters.

Question 20

What are section details prepared for?

Answer 20

Major connections in the building system.

Question 21

What do architectural floor plans indicate?

Answer 21

The locations and dimensions of walls, partitions, and openings.

Question 22

What do exterior elevations show?

Answer 22

The outside faces of the building with vertical dimensions or elevations

Question 23

What do building sections show?

Answer 23

A view of the building cut in half, showing the dimensional relationships of various floor levels and roof plans.

Question 24

What are interior elevations prepared for?

Answer 24

Kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms with elaborate interior features.

Question 25

What’s a foundation sill plate (mudsill)?

Answer 25

A plate made of preservative-treated wood for resistance to insects and moisture. It is attached to the top of the foundation to serve as a base for wood framing. Fastened with anchor bolts.

Question 26

What does a sill seal or gasket do?

Answer 26

Inserts between the sill and foundation to reduce air infiltration and to restrict moisture.

Question 27

What sizes are floor joists typically and how are they spaced?

Answer 27

2x6 to 2x12 joists spaced 16 or 24 inches o.c.

Question 28

What must be inserted where joists exceed 12 inches in depth?

Answer 28

Bridging (solid blocking, cross-bracing, or strapping) must be inserted not exceeding 8 ft.

Question 29

I-joists are likely to be used for floor framing because they are lighter, longer, more uniform, and reduce drying shrinkage. T/F

Answer 29

True

Question 30

Typically wall framing uses what size members at what spacing?

Answer 30

2x4 or 2x6 members at 16 or 24 inches o.c.

Question 31

How many studs are required at each wall intersection?

Answer 31

3