Rough-framing is the craft of building the wood based skeleton and skin of a structure. Typically this process uses 2x4, 2x6, 3/4" tounge and groove sheeting, 1/2" plywood, joists, rim and manufactured trusses to build a structure as a series of platforms, each stacked on the other in a style called platform framing. Depending on the skill of the framing carpenter work will remain to be done within a partially completed structure. This remaining work is called 'pick-up' work often left to be completed by a pick-up crew of carpenters. These carpenters will fix mistakes and finish the structure to meet local standards. The better the framing carpenters the less pick-up remains to be done. What follows is a list I use in Western Washington State for construction in Pierce and King Counties.
- cut plates
- drywall backing - top of walls and corners
- handrail backing - 34" oc (on center)
- bullnose for all steps 1 1/2" with 1 1/2" notch on edges
- garage steps add 1" to top step for door
- towel backing - 48" oc
- cut and head out crawl access
- attic access 22x30x15 with 2' clearance above (minimums) -- fireman must be able to clear with air pack on
- check door sizes, plumb/level and position; heights absolute minimum 82 1/4" with 82 5/8" preferred height; check widths per plan (2' 6" wide door receives 2' 8" rough framed hole: add 2" for doors < 6' and add 3" for wider doors)
- check window sizes, plumb/level and position per plan; windows are framed exactly to size and are manufactured 1/2" smaller than indicated creating an even reveal covered by 1/2" sheetrock around the edges of the window; confirm window tops and bottoms line up across each floor, and that windows on different floors line up as indicated in the elevation drawings. For siding that trims multiple windows horizontally or vertically make sure that windows align within 3/8" maximum, within 1/4" is preferred especially when aligning vertically across several floors (horizontal deviations are easier to see than vertical discrepancies, meaning it is harder to see a mistake at the top and bottom of a window than along the sides of a window).
- no plate breaks within 4' of ends of load-bearing walls, plate breaks must be staggered at least 4' otherwise strapping must be added
- check for truss clips and hangers
- confirm parabolts/redheads finished and within 4" to 12" from plate breaks
- A35 clips on beam ends (not necessary for headers)
- cut overframes 22" by 24": typically we cut the first run of plywood
- check all point loads: girder ends, etc all must have continuous lumber from plate to plate carrying the load through the building
- all strapping must have backing
- remove bracing when floor/roof above is nailed off
- block plywood breaks
- frame fireplace and any half-walls per plan
- shower blocking & backing: 6' oc fireblocking along top edge of shower/tub unit with backing at edges per plan (typically 32" or 36" deep so this measurement with backing oc)
- complete and tighten any remaining hold downs, strapping and remaining engineering details for the building
- ensure shear nailing is correct and use only galvanized nails for nailing to treated plate
- double flooring under furnace with nailing only on edges
- Most important: complete point loads, check and fix all windows before window installer and other trades come into building so that this material does not need to be put in after rough wiring/plumbing, etc. Leave out large window near tub/shower destination so that the units can be brought in as easily as possible.
- Next: complete engineering and other structural elements for inspections, block tubs, crawler access and complete details that will likely overlap with other trade work.
- Final: fix remaining details.
- Throughout ensure safety on the site by using railings, temporary bracing/support and other safegaurds. If in doubt about any detail, especially a safety concern, consult the foreman or superintendant.
I highly recommend going the extra mile and attempting to accommodate other trades throughout the construction workflow. As problems arise be courteous and as considerate as possible, regardless of fault. When possible come up with solutions and time work to minimize problems and conflicts. Often other trades and workers will have an antagonistic presentation because of a prior bad experience that has nothing to do with you. A small demonstration of patience and courtesy will go a long way in gaining their respect.
Several specific examples: The concrete subcontractor on a job would repeatedly take materails from the framing pickup crew (materials were provided by the general for all subs), so we simply estimated how much he would take and added that to our materials. Despite our best efforts to work with him the window installer would repeatedly install the wrong windows, or install windows that were in the wrong place, as a result we moved checking and repair of the windows to the top of our list of items to fix. As a result of these adjustments each house was completed faster and with less effort.