Table Of ContentFOR PROS BY PROS®
GRAPHIC
FRAME
GUIDE TO
CONSTRUCTION
ROB THALLON
4TH EDITION
REVISED AND UPDATED
GRAPHIC GUIDE TO
Frame
Construction
Introduction
GRAPHIC GUIDE TO
Frame
Construction
ROB THALLON
FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND UPDATED
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Text © 2016 by Rob Thallon
Illustrations © 2016 by The Taunton Press, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Pp
The Taunton Press, Inc.
63 South Main Street, PO Box 5506
Newtown, CT 06470-5506
e-mail: [email protected]
Editor: Peter Chapman
Copy Editor: Seth Reichgott
Indexer: Jim Curtis
Jacket/Cover design: Guido Caroti
Interior design: Susan Fazekas
Layout: Sandy Mahlstedt, Susan Fazekas
Illustrators: Vince Babak, Anthony Baron, Erick Bernabe, David McClean, Scott Wolf
For Pros By Pros® is a trademark of The Taunton Press, Inc., registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Thallon, Rob.
Title: Graphic guide to frame construction / Rob Thallon.
Description: Fourth edition, revised and updated. | Newtown, CT : The Taunton
Press, [2016] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016008479 | ISBN 9781631863721 | eBook ISBN 9781631866197 | mobi ISBN 9781631866210
| EPUB ISBN 9781631866203 | fixed ISBN 9781631866227
Subjects: LCSH: Wooden-frame buildings--Design and construction. |
Wooden-frame buildings--Drawings. | Framing (Building) | House framing.
Classification: LCC TH1101 .T48 2016 | DDC 694/.2--dc23
LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016008479
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Homebuilding is inherently dangerous. Using hand or power tools improperly or ignoring safety practices can lead to permanent injury or
even death. Don’t try to perform operations you learn about here (or elsewhere) unless you’re certain they are safe for you. If something
about an operation doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Look for another way. We want you to enjoy building, so please keep safety foremost in
your mind whenever you’re working.
To Dee
acknowledgments
This book has been enriched immeasurably by most of them remain virtually unchanged, with only
the contributions of professional architects, the notes having been updated to a computerized font.
contractors, and engineers throughout the Scott’s elegant renderings have served as the model
country. In an attempt to be comprehensive, each for all drawings added in subsequent editions—those
edition has been reviewed by experts from diverse in the second and third editions having been skillfully
climatic regions. This fourth edition was reviewed in completed by David McClean and Anthony Baron.
its entirety by the following architects and builders: Changes to this current edition have been extensive,
Gary McGavin, architect, Redlands, CA; Tom Pink, with the addition of 37 new drawings and editing
contractor, North Conway, NH; Dan Rockhill, changes to more than 90 others. These renderings have
architect/contractor, LeCompton, KS; and Emilie been brilliantly executed by Erick Bernabe, who used
Taylor Welty, architect/builder, New Orleans, LA. his computer to capture linework from the original
In addition, portions of this edition were reviewed edition to generate new and revised drawings indistin-
by: Jim Anderson, P.E.; Adam Clough, P.E.; Jeff Hatton, guishable from those in that first edition.
concrete contractor; Joe Johnson, architect/envelope Special thanks are due to Taunton editors who have
consultant; Tom McClain, P.E.; Hal Pfeifer, P.E.; Steve guided my efforts and managed production in the past.
Strom, P.E.; and Erik Swinney, building official. Their thoughtful and professional contributions to pre-
This fourth edition is built on the foundation of pre- vious editions have made this fourth edition possible.
vious editions that were strengthened immensely by the Starting with Chuck Miller, for listening to my ideas
comments of previous reviewers. These professionals, and suggesting the project to the publishers in the first
also distributed widely across the US, include: Edward place, the list also includes Paul Bertorelli and Joanne
Allen, South Natick, MA; Chris Anderson, Eugene, OR; Bouknight (first ed.), Steve Culpepper and Jennifer
Chris Brandt, Boise, ID; Judith Capen, Washington, Renjilian (second ed.), and Peter Chapman and
DC; John Carmody, Minneapolis, MN; Donald Corner, Courtney Jordan (third ed.). In addition, Lloyd Kahn
Eugene, OR; Walter Grondzik, Tallahassee, FL; Steve will not be forgotten for his inspiration and support for
Kearns, Ketchum, ID; Scott McBride, Sperryville, VA; this project long before it was realized.
James McDonald, Eugene, OR; Jud Peake, Oakland, For this fourth edition, I was most fortunate to have
CA; Don Peting, Lowell, OR; Joel Schwartz, Princeton, Peter Chapman repeat as editor. His understanding of
NJ; Stephen Suddarth, Miami Beach, FL; Christine the work has made our collective task easier, and his
Theodoropolous, Eugene, OR; and Blaine Young, Santa supportive professional approach has made the effort
Fe NM. The participation of all these reviewers has truly pleasurable. Sandy Mahlstedt in her role as layout
made the book significantly more complete and the coordinator has graciously translated my meticulous
process of writing it more enjoyable. and often challenging graphic ideas to fit the format.
The drawings, which I view as the foundation of the Finally, my most profound and heartfelt gratitude
book, were originally computer-generated by myself goes to Dee Etwiler, my wife, for her loving support
using an ancient program called McDraw. These “draw- and patience throughout the production of all four
ings” were then beautifully rendered by Scott Wolf, and editions.
c o n t e n t s
Introduction ix
1 4
FOUNDATIONS 1 ROOFS 128
FOOTINGS 3 FRAMING 131
FOUNDATION WALLS 7 SHEATHING 164
PIER & GRADE-BEAM SYSTEMS 13 FLASHING 169
BASEMENT WALLS 14 ROOFING 179
RETAINING WALLS 17 GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS 195
DRAINAGE & WATERPROOFING 18 INSULATION & VENTILATION 199
WALL CAPS 19
SLABS 20
5
SLAB DETAILS 24 STAIRS 208
GARAGE SLAB DETAILS 25
RADIANT SLABS 26
FRAMING 213
DETAILS 27
TREADS & RISERS 218
BALUSTRADES 220
HANDRAILS 223
2
FLOORS 28 EXTERIOR STAIRS 224
EXTERIOR STEPS 225
BEAMS 31
JOIST SYSTEMS 34
SUBFLOOR SYSTEMS 48 Legend 228
PORCHES & DECKS 52 List of Abbreviations 229
INSULATION 61 Resources 230
Glossary 232
Index 240
3
WALLS 64
FRAMING 67
LATERAL BRACING 77
SHEATHING 78
SHEAR WALLS 82
MOISTURE & AIR BARRIERS 88
WINDOWS 92
DOORS 98
FLASHING 104
SIDING 108
INSULATION 122
introduction
Light wood-frame construction originated in this canes and earthquakes. Vinyl windows, which were just
country over 150 years ago and quickly evolved being introduced, are now the standard. Advanced
into the predominant construction system for framing that both conserves material and allows for
houses and other small-scale buildings. Today, over upgraded insulation is rapidly gaining acceptance.
90% of all new buildings in North America are made These and many other advances were incorporated into
using some version of this method. The numbers for the third edition, but the building culture is not static.
remodeling are similar. There are many reasons why Best practices are evolving rapidly because of improved
this system has been the choice of professional and communication and building science, and innovative
amateur builders alike over the years. A principal materials are proliferating to meet increased demand.
reason is its flexibility. Because the modules are small, This fourth edition expands on those issues covered
virtually any shape or style of building can be built in the first three with the addition of the most recently
easily with the studs, joists, and rafters that are the developed practices and materials. In particular, this
primary components of wood-frame construction. In edition updates the details for engineered lumber
addition, the pieces are easily handled, the material is products and takes a closer look at the important issues
readily available, and the skills and tools required for of air barriers and the control of moisture in wood-
assembly are easily acquired. frame building assemblies. These three subjects have
Given the popularity of the system, it was surprising dominated the research in recent years and significantly
to find that, before the publication of the first edition of impact each chapter of the book. The topic of environ-
this book, there existed no detailed and c omprehensive mental responsibility, which has gained serious traction
reference focusing on light wood framing. Now, twenty- lately, has been covered extensively in previous editions
five years and three editions later, over 290,000 copies but receives further discussion here.
of Graphic Guide to Frame Construction have found With all the attention given to advanced practices
their way into the libraries of architects, c ontractors, and materials, it is also important not to forget tradi-
owner-builders, and students. tional methods. These form the backbone of the system
The acceptance of the Graphic Guide as a stan- of wood-frame construction and are the starting point
dard reference has corresponded with great strides in for the important and considerable work of remodeling
building technology. Wood-frame buildings today are and renovation.
built faster, stronger, and with more efficient use of
materials. Engineered lumber products, relatively rare THE SCOPE OF THE BOOK
just 25 years ago, are now more common than sawn To provide a comprehensive reference, the scope of
lumber for many parts of a building. Wooden buildings the book had to be limited. I decided to focus on the
are now vastly more resistant to the forces of hurri- parts of a building that contribute most significantly
