Frame a house for the custom-house-plan

Custom-house-plan framing

The steps to frame a house for the custom-house-plan are simple. We will use this plan for wall framing. Now this is where the fun begins because truthfully, the foundation stuff is a real drag and a lot of hard work. The walls, on the other hand, are totally fun because the house starts taking shape. You'll see that it's easy to stay motivated from this point on.

When I talk about house framing, I include several aspects of the framing process. Things like floor framing, where all the framing for joists and sub floors will be explained. After that, the house walls will be explained so everything can be up to code.

Once the walls are up, we can learn how to build headers for windows and doors to deliver the weight of the roof down to the floor without causing problems with window and door frames. After the windows and doors are framed, we can frame in the roof and eaves to top off the house.
The final part of our framing process will be gambrel roof and dormer framing to better understand the economical advantage of this type of house plan.

For a comprehensive list of metal stud framing companies and products the best resource is a comprehensive online product networking site.

So, we'll start off by making a decision to either run a plate all the way around the the outside of the floor, or to build the walls in sections and add the plate with each section of the wall. I prefer to build the walls in sections and stand them up.

You will have your custom-house-plan at the quick draw. It's probably a good idea to have one copy laminated. You can see what the walls need to look like from your plans. Most walls, in these modern days, are six inch walls. This gives more insulation value. Unless you live in Hawaii or someplace where the temperature stays constantly comfortable, you will probably want to build with 2 x 6's as well. These walls can get a little heavy so build them in eight foot sections or whatever length you can lug up.
The building inspector will tell you the spacing requirements between the walls. Most 2 x 6 walls can be spaced on 24" centers because of the strength of the board. Most counties and cities have new fire ordinances for fire-blocking. See pic

You'll probably need to brace the walls so they don't fall down and clobber someone. Everybody knows that the moment you start to put up walls the wind blows. That's common knowledge among carpenters.
Once the outside walls are done, you can put up the interior walls. Some carpenters like to put the sheathing on the outside walls before they start on the inside walls. This is probably a good idea because it helps make the walls much sturdier.

When you make the door and window openings, you will need the rough opening measurements for each. You can get these numbers where the products are sold. This should be part of your preparation before you submit your blueprints.
After you have made your interior walls, you can then start on either the second floor or the roof trusses. The second floor will be the same as the first floor unless you're building a gambrel roof.

The trusses can be bought or made. They will fit onto your walls with extra hanging over for the eaves. Make sure you have a lot of trusses for extra strength. This is especially necessary where there is a lot of snow and ice.
You will encase the eaves when you do the sheathing.

If you're doing a Gambrel-type house for your custom-house-plan you will frame the ends like this:

Custom-house-plan top of page

Next, floor framing on foundation

Building and framing walls

Building headers for windows and doors

Framing the roof and eaves

Gambrel roofs and dormers