Wall Framing

About Wall Framing

Structural and framing tasks in construction rely on a series of load-bearing elements adequately placed and connected to support each other. 

The wall framing category comprises light and heavy frame structures based on horizontal and vertical components. The role of the frame is to provide a stable enclosure for interior and exterior wall coverings. Horizontal elements, called joists, run the length of the future wall, while the vertical columns, namely “studs”, rise from them to accommodate wall panels. The joists are also incorporated to support ceilings and floors.  

Platform wall framing, composed of frames placed continually on top of each other, is the conventional method of choice. It provides a stable work surface for standardised panels, making an option that is more time- and cost-efficient than using custom-cut frames. 

Wall Framing Elements

• Structural (bearing) wall: The wall supporting the weight of the building.
• A partition wall: The barrier applied for dividing the interior space without load-bearing properties. 
• Joists: Framing elements found in the floors and the ceilings.
• Top and bottom plates: Placed at the top and bottom of a wall frame, these elements support the roof and ceiling features. 
• Studs: Vertical elements found between the top and bottom plates, determining frame height, bearing loads, and fixing support for wall linings.
• Jack studs: Short posts above and below window and door openings. 
• Lintels: Elements found above the openings that support the load from above, eliminating its weight off the window/door frame.
• Noggings: Horizontally laid between the studs, in the middle of their length, to promote lateral sideways rigidness and fixing support for wall linings.
• Bracing: Installed to strengthen racking in the wall frame, using steel angle, flat strapping, or plywood panels.
• Sill: The first-floor frame is typically raised on top of the sill plates, spanning over the foundation walls.
• Sheathing: Exterior wall sheathing connects the studs. It’s usually made from plywood, gypsum, or reinforced cement board.

Types of Wall Framing

Building framing is separated into two broad categories, heavy-framing and light-framing. 

• The heavy method is used in timber framing, pole building framing, or steel framing, wherever the material is heavy, and there is no possibility for placing many studs.
• Light-frame construction is commonly found in residential buildings, where smaller-sized supports can be placed in numbers.

Light Framing

Modern light-frame structures use plywood and similar composite materials that make rigid structural panels, to properly stabilise walls. Diagonal bracing and special framed shear walls are also gaining popularity due to the demands of earthquake engineering and wind engineering.

Light framing can be divided into three principal types: western, balloon, and braced.

• Western frame: Extensively applied in military construction, the western frame is similar to the braced, except for the boxed-sill construction at each floor line. Cross bridging connects the joists while bridging is utilised between the studs. This frame type is suitable for both the bearing and nonbearing walls. 
• Balloon frame: Designed for constructing multistory buildings, the balloon frame is not as strong as the braced frame. It features vertical studs running full length, from sill to rafters. 
• Braced frame: Exceptionally rigid, braced frames are typically heavier than their counterparts. Their exterior studs stretch only between floors, while the corner posts extend all the way from sill to plate. Girts then form a sill for the joists of the following floor, with interior studs being the same as for balloon-frame construction.

Heavy Framing

Heavy-frame buildings are more durable than light-framed ones and composed of elements with thicker profiles. They are commonly found as structural solutions on warehouses and similar large-span buildings. The areas between walls are usually spanned by built-up roof trusses.

Expedient Framing

Some field conditions require custom and specific structuring techniques. Those include:

• Light siding
• Salvaged framing
• Local timber
• Wood-substitute framing
• Excavations

Wall Framing Materials

Materials used in light framing are typically timber and structural steel. However, experimenting with other materials such as pre-cut aluminium brought positive results, prevalently in reducing construction costs and labour on-site.  

When it comes to timber wall framing, softwoods like pine, fir, or spruce are preferred in structural framing. Wood pieces are held together with nails, nail fasteners, or screws.

Steel profiles can be rectangular, circular, or C-channeled. Steel studs are connected with pan-head framing screws, nuts and bolts.

Interior wall coverings in light-frame construction are typically done with materials like wallboard or plaster, completed with a variety of decorative wood panelling available on the market. 

Exterior finishes applied to ceilings and walls include composite sheathing, plywood, stone or brick veneers, and stucco finishes. 

Insulation materials for filling the cavities are fibreglass batting, cellulose filling, and recycled blends. They are commonly treated with boron additives for increased resistance to fire and pests.

Organic materials for custom framing include cob, straw bales, and adobe, suitable for both exterior and interior walls.

Things to Consider Before Buying Wall Framing

Wall framing works as a skeleton that holds all other elements together. Internal linings, exterior wall claddings, roofing, structural flooring, windows and doors all depend on the framing’s structural integrity.

Typically, the lightweight structure has a low thermal mass, which is an advantage in hot climates. Highly insulated, they withstand rapid weather changes - however, the overall performance varies between different types of insulation. Rigid air barriers come with a price tag but pay off in time, making a worthwhile investment that strongly affects the comfort and energy costs of running a home. Framed structures can also comply with requirements of passive solar heating, natural light and ventilation.

Framing systems can be suited to almost any design or construction style, including fully customised. 

If you need assistance to find the right wall framing for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.