7 INTERIOR FINISHES FOR WOOD LIGHT FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Building Services
• Drain-waste-vent
(DWV) piping carries
sanitary waste to the
sewer or septic system.
• The vent portions of
the system prevent
differential air
pressures from
obstructing flow and
allow sewer gasses to
escape above the roof.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Drain-waste-vent (DWV)
piping: cast iron below
and PVC above
• The horizontal stub is for
connection to a sink or
other fixture.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Water supply
piping carries
hot and cold
domestic
(potable) water
to fixtures
throughout the
house.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
Bathroom plumbing
rough-in:
• DWV piping, left
• Water supply
distribution
manifolds for a hot
tub, right
• Metal nail guards
attached to edge of
blocking protect
DWV piping from
future nail or screw
damage after
wallboard or other
finishes are
installed and piping
is concealed.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• In a forced air heating
system, a fan pushes
heated air through
supply ducts to various
spaces throughout the
building.
• Return air ducts carry
return air back to the
furnace.
• With the addition of
an exterior compressor
and an evaporator
(heat exchanger) within
the furnace, cooled air
can also be provided.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Forced-air heating and air conditioning with insulated ductwork
• Note how wallboard has been preinstalled behind the furnace and
ductwork.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
Furnace hookups
• natural gas supply piping (left, black)
• refrigerant piping between evaporator
coil in furnace and exterior air
conditioning compressor (middle and
right, two copper pipes, one covered
with black foam insulation)
• evaporator drain pan piping (lower,
white)
• exhaust vent for furnace and future
water heater (upper, metallic)
• Furnace supply air is ducted out of
the top. Return air is ducted in from
below (via a crawlspace).
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Termination of supply
duct at ceiling framing,
ready to receive finish
ceiling and register
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• In a radiant heat system,
heated water moves
through plastic pipes
embedded in floors. These
heated surfaces then
radiate heat into the
building spaces.
• Ventilation air must be
provided by some other
system.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Proprietary floor underlayment panels for installing hydronic
heating tubes under the finish floor
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• A pair of electrical
panels are fed by the
main service from
below and, in turn, feed
branch circuits above.
• Black piping to left is
natural gas for a
backyard grill
connection on opposite
side of wall.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• The cavities in light frame construction make it relatively easy to route piping
and wiring throughout the structure.
• Allowable spacing and sizing of web penetrations in I-joists are established by
the joist manufacturer.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Holes drilled in framing
members for electrical cable
routing are filled with
expansive foam to minimize
air leakage within this
exterior wall assembly.
• Such foam may also used to
seal penetrations in
fireblocking between floors
to maintain the necessary
resistance to the spread of
fire within the framing
cavities.
• Nail guards protect the wiring
from future damage by nails
or screws after the walls are
finished and the wiring
becomes concealed.
• (The larger metal plate is for
seismic requirements.)
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• A plastic fixture box, for power outlets
or switches, is nailed to a wall stud.
• Outside the box, the cable is secured
to the stud by an insulated staple.
• Inside the box, individual black and
white insulated wires, a bare ground
wire, and red wire nuts used to
connect wire ends can be seen.
• The box is mounted proud of the stud
so that its face will be flush with the
finish surface of the wall once the
wallboard or other finish materials are
applied.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
BUILDING SERVICES
• Concrete block fireplace
construction
• According to the IBC,
combustible wood framing
cannot come within 2 inches
of the sides or front, or 4
inches of the back, of a
masonry fireplace.
• Note the hollow clay flue to
the left serving a separate
fireplace (or other appliance)
at a lower level.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
7 INTERIOR FINISHES FOR WOOD LIGHT FRAME CONSTRUCTION
COMPLETING THE
BUILDING
ENCLOSURE
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• Glass fiber batt thermal
insulation is being installed
between framing members.
• Unfaced batts, like those
shown here, are held in
place by friction.
• (Manufacturers recommend
wearing protective gloves
and clothing when handling
glass fiber materials to avoid
skin irritation.)
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• A worker on stilts installs
paper-faced glass fiber batt
insulation into the
ceiling/roof framing.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• These walls are insulated with unfaced
batts. In a heating climate, a separate
vapor retarder, such as sheet plastic,
will be added before the wallboard is
installed.
• The insulation batts in the roof are
paper-faced. The paper facing acts as
the vapor retarder.
• The recessed light fixtures must either
be rated for direct contact with
insulation, or the insulation must be
maintained a specified distance from
the fixtures to avoid overheating.
• Such fixtures, if not carefully installed
and sealed, are a potential source of air
leakage between the heated interior
and the ventilated air space above the
insulation.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• Where plumbing pipes run
in exterior walls, they must
be kept to the interior side
of the insulation to
minimize the risk of
freezing.
• Note the use of spray foam
insulation (left) to fill
narrow framing cavities not
easily insulated with batts.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• Spray foam insulation is used to fill
the gap between rough openings and
the frames of doors and windows, a
space that is otherwise prone to air
leakage.
• This foam must not be expansive or
it could distort the door or window
frame.
• Note the protruding tapered shim.
During installation of the door
frame, pairs of such shims are
inserted from opposite sides and
adjusted to hold the frame in
position. Finish nails driven through
the frame hold the shims in place.
The projecting portions of the shims
are sawed or snapped off before the
casings are applied.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• In comparison to batt
insulation, spray foam
insulation results in a more
air-tight building enclosure
with the potential for
improved energy savings.
• Some foam types also have
significantly higher
insulating values per inch of
thickness than other
common insulation
materials.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• Blown-in insulation
types include cotton,
glass fibers, and
cellulose (shown here).
• In comparison to glass
fiber batts, blown-in
insulation tends to
more completely fill
framing cavities
without gaps or voids,
reducing heat loss due
to convective air
movement within the
wall cavity.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
COMPLETING THE BUILDING ENCLOSURE
• In heating climates, a
vapor retarder is
required on the heated
side of the wall.
Common materials
include:
– sheet plastic
– paper or aluminum foil
insulation facing
– paint primers with low
vapor permeability.
• Some foam insulations
also have sufficiently
low vapor permeability
to act as vapor
retarders.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
7 INTERIOR FINISHES FOR WOOD LIGHT FRAME CONSTRUCTION
WALL AND CEILING
FINISH
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
WALL AND CEILING FINISH
• Walls and ceilings are
most commonly
finished with gypsum
wallboard (drywall).
• Joints between boards
are finished level and
smooth with
reinforcing tape and,
usually, three distinct
coats of joint
compound (spackle).
• Depressions in the
wallboard made by
fasteners are also
leveled with joint
compound.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
WALL AND CEILING FINISH
• The rough edges
that remain where
gypsum wallboard
is cut to fit around
openings for
windows, doors,
registers, and other
items are typically
covered with finish
trim.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
WALL AND CEILING FINISH
• Gypsum veneer plaster
consists of a thin
plaster coating over
specially formulated
gypsum board base.
• It creates a harder,
more durable surface
than conventionally
finished gypsum
wallboard.
• Where skilled
plasterers are plentiful,
this type of wall and
ceiling finish may also
be cost-competitive
with conventional
wallboard.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
7 INTERIOR FINISHES FOR WOOD LIGHT FRAME CONSTRUCTION
MILLWORK AND
FINISH CARPENTRY
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Millwork: Finished
carpentry
components, such
as moldings, doors,
cabinets, stairs, etc.
manufactured offsite
• Right: A finish
carpenter uses a
powered miter saw
to cut wood
molding (casings)
for trimming out a
door frame.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• The head (top)
casing is being
installed using a
pneumaticallypowered finish nail
gun.
• Note the mitered
ends which will join
with the jamb (side)
casings.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• These moldings
were manufactured
from short scraps of
material, joined
end-to-end in the
factory, to create
longer pieces.
• Once the trim
pieces are painted,
they will appear
continuous.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Installation of the
side casings is
almost complete.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• A six panel door
(the panels are
barely visible in this
photograph), hung
with three hinges
• The door has been
drilled for the
lockset close to its
left edge.
• Doors may be
prehung in the
factory or fitted and
installed on site.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• The sides and top
of a window are
trimmed in a
manner similar to
that for a door.
• The bottom of the
window opening is
trimmed with a sill
and apron.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• A site-built custom stair
• Stairs can also be prefabricated in a
millworking shop.
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Wood strip ceiling
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Painted gypsum
wallboard walls and
ceilings
• Stone flooring
(foreground)
• Wood baseboards
and trim
• Wood stairs
• Wood flooring
(beyond)
• Custom wood
casework
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Painted wood trim
including
baseboards, door
casings, wall
cornice, and cased
ceiling beams
• Six paneled doors
(left)
• Glazed French
doors (center)
• Wood strip flooring
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.
MILLWORK AND FINISH CARPENTRY
• Custom wood
casework
• Wide plank wood
flooring
• Wood decking
ceiling
• Exposed heavy
timber framing
• Gypsum wallboard
walls
Fundamentals of Building Construction, Materials & Methods, 5th Edition
Copyright © 2009 J. Iano. All rights reserved.