EDT 300 - Wall and Ceiling Construction1 Weekend Cabin Retreat Project Wall and Ceiling Construction Sacramento City College EDT 300 Kenneth Fitzpatrick,

EDT 300 - Wall and Ceiling Construction

1

Weekend Cabin Retreat ProjectWeekend Cabin Retreat ProjectWall and Ceiling ConstructionWall and Ceiling Construction

Sacramento City CollegeEDT 300

Kenneth Fitzpatrick, P.E.

2 EDT 300 - Wall and Ceiling Construction

ObjectivesObjectives Name the members of a typical

frame wall. Explain methods of frame wall

construction. Interpret information shown on a

ceiling joist span data chart. Sketch the various types of

exterior walls used in residential construction.


Residential ConstructionResidential Construction

Residential wall construction is usually one of three types: Frame Masonry Combination frame and masonry.


Residential ConstructionResidential Construction

The wall panels may be Constructed on site or Prefabricated at another location and

transported to the site.

The trend is toward more prefabrication and less on-site construction.


Frame Wall ConstructionFrame Wall Construction

Various framing members used in conventional construction. Sole plate

Bottom of wall. 2 x 4 on side. Top plates

Top of wall. 2 x 4 on side. Studs

Sides of wall. 2 x 4 on end. Headers

Span openings in walls. 4 x 10; 4 x 12. Etc. Bracing.

Strengthens wall corners.






Plates and studs 2 x 4 inch lumber.

Headers or linters 4 x 6; 4 x 8; 4 x 10; 4 x 12

Bracing 1 x 4 stock Metal strap Plywood sheathing.





Wall framing lumber must have Good stiffness Nail-holding properties Free from warp Easy to work.

Species that meet these criteria: Douglas fir Southern Yellow Pine Hemlock Spruce, and Larch.



The most common lumber grade used is #2 grade or its equivalent.

Moisture content should be between 15 and 19 percent.



Frame Wall Construction Usually begins with the sole plate. The spacing of the studs is marked off on

the sole plate

The wall is built on top of the sub-floor.

The sub-floor provides a large, flat work surface.





Exterior frame walls can be Flush with the outside of the foundation

wall or Moved 1/2" to 3/4" inside the foundation

wall to allow for the thickness of sheathing, weatherboard, or rigid foam insulation.









The sole plate Acts as an anchor for the wall panels Is a nailer for interior and exterior wall

sheathing.

A nailer Is a structural member (like a 2 x 4) that is

used to support the drywall (gypsum board).



A wall panel, when built on-site May be very large if sufficient people and

equipment are available to raise the wall. Is usually built in smaller sections.



Wall studs Are cut to length (usually 7'-9" when 1-1/2"

material is used) Are nailed to the sole and top plate. A second plate is added after the wall is in

place.



The distance from the top of the subfloor to the bottom of the ceiling joists is usually 8'-1 1/2". This distance provides a finished wall

height of 8'-O".



Openings for doors and windows are framed before the wall is moved to the vertical position.

The door and window opening must be framed with headers, to span the opening.



Two methods are used in constructing headers Solid blocking. Cripple construction.



Solid blocking header The header size is increased. The header completely fills the space from

the top of the rough opening to the top plate.



Solid blocking header construction Various methods are used 1. Two 2 x 12 pieces of lumber are nailed

together with a piece of 1/2" plywood between them to form a 3 1/2" thick header.

This method reduces construction time, but increases shrinkage.

2. Solid 4 x 6, 4 x 8, 4 x 10 wood members may also be used.

Trend is to use solid members. Faster, saves construction labor costs.





Header Construction - Cripple and Trimmer Older method. Uses cripple studs and trimmers firmly

nailed to the sole and top plates. Cripples are studs that are not full length due to

a wall opening. Trimmers are studs that support the header

over an opening in the wall.







Corner bracing is required by most codes.

Two methods of bracing are used. Diagonal corner braces Plywood sheathing



Diagonal corner braces Use 1 x 4 inch wood material or Metal straps Installed from the top corner of the wall

down to the sole plate.




Plywood Sheathing Bracing A sheet of 1/2" plywood Nailed to the studs at each corner




Typical methods of framing used to form exterior wall corners






The corner must provide A nailing edge for the interior wall material

Drywall (gypsum board). Adequate support for the structure.



Interior frame walls are constructed the same way as exterior walls. Sole plates.

Bottom of wall One 2 x 4 member on side.

Studs 2 x 4 wall members

Double top plates. Top of wall Two 2 x 4 members on side.



Interior walls Must be securely fastened to the exterior

walls that they intersect. A nailing edge must be provided for the

plaster base, drywall, or paneling. Use a 2 x 6 secured to cross blocking.

Double the exterior wall studs at the intersection of the partition.

The same arrangement is used at the intersection of all interior walls.


ExteriorWalls


InteriorWalls



Rough openings for windows and doors Are dimensioned to the center of the

opening when located in a frame wall. Specific dimensions of doors and windows

are usually provided by the window and door schedule.

The width is listed first and The height is listed second.



The rough opening height of most doors is 6'-10".

Tops of all windows are usually the same distance above the floor as doors.



Each wall opening requires a header above the opening.

The header supports the weight above.

The length of the header will be equal to The width of the rough opening + The thickness of two trimmers.



Ceiling ConstructionCeiling Construction

The exterior and interior walls are Erected Plumbed (straightened for level) Braced Top plates are added.

Ceiling joists are then put in place. Ceiling joists are usually positioned

across the width of the house and in the same direction as the rafters.



The size of ceiling joists required will depend on: The load to be supported. Span distance. Wood specie. Spacing of joists. Grade of lumber used.



Ceiling construction is similar to floor construction.

The main differences A header is not required around the

perimeter Smaller lumber is used. (smaller loads).



Long ceiling joist spans may require a bearing wall partition or beam.

If a beam is used, it may be located below the joists or placed flush with them using ledger strips.




The upper corner of the ceiling joists often interferes with the roof slope.

To prevent this interference, the corner is usually cut to match the slope.




Roof trusses are being used in residential construction to a much greater extent.

This approach eliminates the traditional ceiling joist and rafter.


Framing ConsiderationsFraming Considerations

An access hole must be provided in the ceiling (usually in closet) to afford entry to the attic. The size of this opening may be as small

as 2 feet square. Framing around the opening is the same

as for openings in the floor. Double headers are used for large holes

(for example, when installing a disappearing stairway) but are usually not required for minimum size openings.



Several areas in the house that require special framing. Openings for heating ducts. Wall backing for various fixtures. Extra support for the bathtub.






Framing for a bay window presents special problems.

For a bay window, the floor joists extend beyond the wall to provide support for the unit.

If the bay window is to be set at right angles to the joists, then cantilevered joists should be used.


EDT 300 - Wall and Ceiling Construction

66

Masonry Wall ConstructionMasonry Wall Construction



A masonry wall is constructed entirely of brick, concrete block, stone, clay tile, terra cotta, or a combination of these materials.



Walls that require more than one thickness of masonry must be bonded together.

They may be bonded by using: a header course every 16" vertically corrugated metal wall ties in the mortar

joints. Metal wall ties should be placed no

more than 16" apart vertically and 32" horizontally.





Solid masonry walls for residential construction are usually 8" thick.

Concrete block walls (cavity walls) are popular in many sections of the country.

Block walls are relatively inexpensive to construct and a variety of textures and designs are

possible.



One disadvantage of a solid masonry wall is that furring strips (usually 2" x 2" or 1 " x 3") are required on the inside of the wall if dry wall, plaster, or paneling is used.

Insulation may be added.





Solid brick and stone walls have been used extensively in years past, but because of the cost of construction they are diminishing in importance for residential purposes.

The same exterior effect may e obtained with a brick or stone veneer on frame construction and the wall will be better insulated, less expensive to construct and present fewer construction problems.



Floor joists are placed directly into openings in solid brick and stone walls.

Each joist is cut at an angle on the end to prevent toppling the wall if the house should catch fire.

The cut is known as a firecut.




Stonework involves artistry on the part of the mason due to the various size and texture of the material ordinarily used.



Stonework is commonly referred to as ashlar or rubble.

Ashlar stonework uses dressed, cut, or squared stones.

Each stone is a specific size and fits in an exact place in the pattern




Rubble stonework is made up of irregular shaped stones.

If the stones are basically flat, the result may look like courses of stone, then the term coursed rubble is applied.




Another type of rubble stonework is called uncoursed cobweb or polygonal rubble.

These stones are dressed with relatively straight edges and are selected to fit a particular place.





Masonry veneer is usually placed one inch away from the frame wall to: provide a dead air space for insulation provide a means of escape for moisture

which condenses on the inside of the masonry.



The term veneer is commonly used to indicate that a less expensive or desirable material has been covered up with some type of facing material.

The facing is usually 4" thick (but may range from approximately 1 " to 6").

The veneer does not help support the weight of the building.






Flashing and termite shields should be used at the base of solid masonry or brick veneer walls.

Flashing prevents moisture from entering the structure.

Termites are a threat in a large part of the country and cause millions of dollars in damage to homes each year.





If a solid masonry wall is used, the top plate must be anchored securely to the wall.

Anchor bolts are placed between the bricks and bolt the plate in place.

A lintel block is used in concrete block construction and anchor bolts are cast in place.

The plate is then secured by the use of bolts.




Brick Names and SizesBrick Names and Sizes

Brick is a fired clay product. The color is ordinarily determined

by the natural color of the clay, but sometimes earth colors are added to produce a wider variety.

Brick may be purchased in single colors or in a mixture to produce a blend.



There are two basic types of brick used for wall construction; common brick and face brick.

Face brick is usually uniform in size and has sharp corners and lines.

Common brick is not as uniform in size and color and may have a lip on one or more edges.



In recent years, common brick has been used more widely as a facing material. They produce a rustic character which is

quite different from the face brick. The texture is much more distinct.

They look especially good with a deep rake joint which accents the individual character of each brick.



The names of brick shapes are well established, but sizes are not standardized.



Specific terms apply to the position or way the brick is laid.

Note that the term "stretcher” "header," etc. applies to the position of the brick in the wall and not the type or size of the brick.




Numerous types of mortar joints are used in brickwork.

Masons have tools designed specifically for making the joints.






Some brick bonds are recognized standards.

The running bond is used extensively in brick veneer construction.

The common bond is popular for solid masonry walls.





EDT 300 - Wall and Ceiling Construction1 Weekend Cabin Retreat Project Wall and Ceiling Construction Sacramento City College EDT 300 Kenneth Fitzpatrick,

Documents

u bracing u

wall panels u

u studs u sides of wall

u sole plate u

plates u

u flush

u species

linters u