Framing Partition Walls
There are two types of wall framing in
residential construction:
Partition framing is walls that do not
support a load, they simply create a barrier
between different rooms in the home
Load bearing framing is walls that do
support a structural load, these include
walls on the outside of the home, and walls
that support the floor above
Framing Terminology
Sole Plate: Member that sits on the
floor at the bottom of a wall
Top Plate: Member that is at the top of
the wall (can also be a Double Top
Plate when there are two members
stacked on top of each other)
Stud: Vertical member that runs
between the Top and Sole Plates
Framing Terminology (cnt'd)
Header: Member that spans the top of
a door or window opening
Sill: Member that is at the bottom of a
window opening
Cripple Stud: Member that supports
the sill, it runs from the Sole Plate to
the Sill, Cripples are also used in the
opening above the door or window
framing
Framing Terminology (cnt'd)
Nailer Stud: A Stud that is placed at
either side of the intersection of two
walls. Nailer Studs provide a surface for
Drywall to be screwed or nailed into.
Framing Plan: A drawing that shows
the location of all Framing Members,
including Studs, Headers, Sills, Cripples,
Sole and Top Plates
Framing Terminology (cnt'd)
Stud Spacing: The distance on center
from one stud to the next
Stud spacing for Partition Walls can be
16”o.c. or 24”o.c.
Partition Framing Stud Centers
pg 211 fig 12-3
Nailer Stud Example
pg 213 fig 12-9