Building Construction Vocabulary: Framing Essentials

Posted on May 15, 2025 in Technology

Chapter 15: Floor Framing Terms

Content Vocabulary

Girder
The girder supports the floor joists by carrying the weight of the structure above it.
Box sill
A box sill is constructed by placing the sill plate on the foundation and attaching the band joist.
Subflooring
The subflooring is secured to the joists to provide a stable base for the finished flooring.
Crown
The crown of a joist should always be positioned upward to account for deflection over time.
Bridging
Bridging between floor joists prevents twisting and increases stability.
Bearing wall
A bearing wall carries the weight of the roof and floors, transferring loads to the foundation.
Header
The header is placed above door and window openings to distribute weight from above.
Trimmer joist
A trimmer joist reinforces an opening in the floor for stairs or chimneys.
Tail joist
Tail joists run parallel to the main joists but terminate at an opening, such as a stairwell.
Cantilever
A cantilever allows a structure to extend beyond its foundation without additional support below.

Academic Vocabulary

Criteria
The builder followed specific criteria for floor joist spacing to meet building codes.
Perpendicular
Floor joists should be installed perpendicular to the girders for maximum strength.
Offset
The stair opening was offset from the main hallway to allow better access.

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Technical Terms

Floor joist
Horizontal structural members that support the subfloor and distribute loads to the beams or walls.
Post
A vertical support that transfers weight from beams to the foundation.
Lally columns
Prefabricated steel columns filled with concrete, used to support girders in a basement or crawl space.
Sill plate
A horizontal member attached to the foundation that serves as the base for the wall framing.
Face-nailing
A method of attaching two boards by driving nails directly through the face of one board into another.
Toenailing
A technique where nails are driven at an angle to join two members together securely.
Beam pocket
A recessed area in a foundation wall designed to hold a beam or girder.
Load
The weight that a structural element must support, including live and dead loads.
Parallel-chord floor truss
A type of floor truss with top and bottom chords running parallel, allowing for open web spaces for utilities.
Mudsill
A wooden sill plate that rests on the foundation and is treated to resist moisture.
Sill
A structural base placed on the foundation to support the framework of a building.
Band
The outermost joist in a floor system that encloses the ends of the other joists.
Sill sealer
A material placed between the foundation and sill plate to prevent air and moisture infiltration.
Clinched
A method of bending a nail after driving it through a board to improve holding strength.
Rim board
A component that encloses the ends of floor joists and provides lateral stability.
Notch
A cut or groove in a structural member to allow for interlocking or fitting with another component.
Solid bridging
Short wood blocks placed between joists to maintain spacing and increase floor stiffness.
Cross bridging
Diagonal wood or metal braces installed between joists to improve floor stability.
Diagonal bridging
Similar to cross bridging but installed at an angle for better load distribution.
Glue-nailing
A technique combining adhesives and nails to create a strong bond between flooring and joists.
Touch-sanded surface
A smooth plywood surface lightly sanded during manufacturing for uniform

Chapter 16: Wall Framing Terms

Content Vocabulary

Sheathing
A layer of material, such as plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), applied to the exterior walls to add strength and create a surface for siding or other finishes.
Stud
A vertical framing member, usually made of wood or metal, used to form the structure of walls.
Plate
A horizontal framing member at the top or bottom of a wall. The top plate connects the wall to the ceiling or upper structure, while the sole plate (bottom plate) anchors the wall to the floor.
Header
A beam placed above windows, doors, or other openings to carry the load above the opening.
Rough sill
The lower horizontal framing member that supports the bottom of a window opening.
Cripple stud
A short stud that fills the space above or below a window or door opening, providing additional support.
Trimmer stud
Also known as a jack stud, it supports the header and helps transfer the load around an opening.
Rough opening (RO)
The framed space where a door or window will be installed, measured slightly larger than the unit itself for fitting and shimming purposes.
Corner post
A structural element at the intersection of two walls, providing strength and a nailing surface for exterior and interior finishes.
Temporary bracing
Supports used during construction to hold walls or other structures in place until permanent bracing or sheathing is installed.
Soffit
The underside of an architectural structure, such as the overhang of a roof, used to cover exposed rafters or provide ventilation.

Academic Vocabulary

Primary
Refers to something that is most important, fundamental, or first in order of significance.
Dimensions
Measurements of length, width, and height used to describe the size of an object or space.

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Technical Terms

Load-bearing wall
A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it, including floors and roof loads.
Bearing wall
Similar to a load-bearing wall, it carries the weight from above and transfers it to the foundation.
Partition walls or partitions
Non-load-bearing walls used to divide interior spaces.
Sole plate
The bottom horizontal member of a wall frame, attached to the floor, serving as the base for vertical studs.
Double plate
Two horizontal plates at the top of a wall frame, providing added strength and stability.
Lintel
A horizontal support beam placed across the top of an opening, such as a door or window, to carry the load above.
Trimmer or jack stud
A vertical framing member that supports the header of a window or door opening.
By-wall
A secondary wall that intersects with a main wall, often used in framing.
Butt-wall
A wall that meets another wall at a right angle without overlapping.
Schedules
A list or table detailing specific construction elements, such as doors, windows, or finishes.
Partition corner post
A structural element used at the intersection of partition walls, providing support and nailing surfaces.
Channel
A U-shaped framing component used to reinforce walls or hold other framing members.
Partition-T
A T-shaped framing member used where partition walls intersect with main walls.
T-post
Another term for Partition-T, used for framing wall intersections.
Layout template
A guide or pattern used for marking framing components before cutting or assembly.
Layout stick
A tool used to mark consistent measurements and spacing during framing layout.
Baseboard
A decorative trim installed along the bottom of interior walls to cover the joint between the wall and floor.
Lining the walls
The process of adding wall coverings, such as drywall or paneling, to complete the wall surface.
Shear wall
A wall designed to resist lateral forces, such as wind or earthquakes, providing structural stability.
Sound wall
A wall constructed with materials or techniques that reduce the transmission of sound.
Bulkhead
A structure used to enclose mechanical equipment, such as ducts or pipes, or to create a lower ceiling section.

Chapter 17: Roof Framing Terms

Content Vocabulary

Rafter
The carpenter secured the rafter to the ridge board, forming part of the roof’s frame.
Ridge board
The ridge board runs along the peak of the roof, connecting the rafters.
Span
The span of the roof measures the distance from one wall to the opposite wall.
Total run
The total run of the roof is the horizontal distance covered by the rafters.
Unit run
Each rafter has a unit run of 12 inches, as per the standard roofing calculations.
Total rise
The total rise of the roof is the vertical distance from the top plate to the ridge.
Unit rise
The unit rise of the roof is 4 inches for every foot of run.
Slope
The slope of the roof determines how steep it is and affects water drainage.
Pitch
The roof pitch was measured at 6:12, indicating 6 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run.
Chord
The bottom chord of the truss provides horizontal stability and support.
Web
The web members of the truss distribute the load and prevent sagging.

Academic Vocabulary

Benefit
One benefit of using pre-engineered trusses is faster installation time.
Distributed
The weight of the roof is evenly distributed across the supporting walls.
Access
The workers installed an access panel for easy entry into the attic.
Specify
The architect will specify the roof pitch and truss dimensions in the blueprint.

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Technical Terms

Dormers
Vertical structures that project from a sloping roof, typically containing windows, used to add light, space, and architectural interest to upper floors.
Low-slope roof
A roof with a gentle pitch, usually less than 3:12, requiring special roofing materials to prevent water pooling.
Lean-to roof
A simple, single-sloped roof that attaches to an existing wall, often used for sheds, porches, or extensions.
Collar tie
A horizontal framing member connecting opposing rafters to prevent roof spreading and add stability.
Eaves
The lower edges of the roof that extend beyond the walls, providing protection from rainwater runoff.
Overhangs
The part of the roof extending beyond the exterior walls, providing shade and protection from the elements.
Hip jack rafters
Shorter rafters that run between the hip rafter and the wall plate, used in hip roof construction.
Valley jack rafters
Rafters that run diagonally from the ridge board to the valley, supporting intersecting roof planes.
Cripple jack rafters
Short rafters placed between valley rafters and the ridge board, filling the gap at intersecting roof planes.
Unit of run
The standard horizontal distance used in roof framing, typically 12 inches.
Measuring line
A reference line used to ensure consistent dimensions when framing or laying out rafters.
Plumb line
A vertical reference line used to ensure that structures, such as walls or rafters, are perfectly upright.
Level line
A horizontal reference line used to check the alignment of roof or wall framing.
Theoretical length
The calculated length of a rafter based on the roof pitch and the total run, used in precise framing measurements.
Bird’s mouth
A notch cut into a rafter where it rests on the wall plate, providing stability and ensuring a snug fit.
Outriggers
Horizontal framing members that extend from the roof edge to support the eaves and prevent sagging.
Stub joists
Short joists used to fill in gaps or support smaller floor sections, often located near openings or edges.
Flush girder
A beam installed at the same height as the floor joists, creating a flat ceiling line.
Strongback
A horizontal brace added to prevent trusses or joists from twisting or sagging, enhancing stability.
King-post truss
A truss with a central vertical post (king post) that provides additional support for the rafters.
Fink truss
A common truss design featuring a W-shaped web, providing strength and stability for residential roofs.
W-truss
A truss with web members arranged in a W-shape, offering extra strength for larger spans.
Scissors truss
A truss with angled bottom chords that create a vaulted ceiling effect, adding architectural interest and open space.