Wood Frame Construction Course

Lesson 1 • Reading Construction Drawings

Teaches interpretation of floor plans, elevations, and framing plans. Blueprint literacy is the foundation for all subsequent layout and framing tasks.

Lesson 2 • Industry Overview and Career Pathways

Covers the scope of residential and light commercial wood framing and the trades involved. Connects industry structure to the student's role on a crew.

Lesson 3 • Fasteners, Connectors, and Hardware

Identifies nails, screws, bolts, and metal connectors used in wood framing. Proper fastener selection directly affects structural integrity and code compliance.

Lesson 4 • Lumber Species, Grades, and Properties

Examines how species, moisture content, and grading stamps affect structural performance. Students select appropriate lumber for specific framing applications.

Lesson 1 • Foundation Types and Framing Implications

Compares slab-on-grade, crawl space, and full basement foundations and their framing requirements. Foundation type determines anchor bolt placement and floor system selection.

Lesson 2 • Site Layout and Batter Boards

Demonstrates how to establish building lines and corners using batter boards and string lines. Accurate site layout ensures the entire structure is square and on grade.

Lesson 3 • Sill Plates and Anchor Bolts

Covers layout, drilling, and installation of pressure-treated sill plates over anchor bolts. Sill plates transfer all wall loads to the foundation.

Lesson 1 • Subfloor Sheathing Installation

Covers panel selection, glue-nail application, and staggered layout for subfloor sheathing. A properly installed subfloor creates a rigid diaphragm and eliminates squeaks.

Lesson 2 • Floor Joist Layout and Installation

Covers 16-inch and 24-inch on-center layout, crown orientation, and joist nailing schedules. Consistent layout aligns joists with wall studs above for load transfer.

Lesson 3 • Engineered Floor Joist Systems

Introduces I-joists and open-web trusses, including manufacturer installation requirements. Engineered joists allow longer spans and reduce floor squeaks.

Lesson 4 • Beam and Girder Sizing and Installation

Explains how beams carry floor loads to posts and foundations and how to install them correctly. Proper beam sizing and bearing length prevent deflection and settlement.

Lesson 1 • Wall Layout and Plate Marking

Demonstrates how to snap chalk lines and mark top and bottom plates for all wall components. Accurate plate marking eliminates errors before a single stud is cut.

Lesson 2 • Interior Partition Wall Framing

Addresses layout and framing of non-bearing partitions, including backing for fixtures and cabinets. Interior partitions define spaces and provide attachment points for finishes.

Lesson 3 • Raising, Plumbing, and Bracing Walls

Teaches safe wall-raising techniques and temporary bracing to hold walls plumb during framing. Walls must be plumb and braced before the next floor or roof system is added.

Lesson 4 • Stud Wall Assembly on the Deck

Covers cutting studs to length, assembling corners, and nailing wall sections flat before raising. Deck assembly is faster and safer than building walls in place.

Lesson 1 • Platform Framing Principles for Upper Levels

Reviews how each floor platform supports the walls above and transfers loads downward. Understanding load path continuity is essential before framing any upper story.

Lesson 2 • Story Poles and Vertical Layout

Teaches use of a story pole to control consistent floor-to-floor heights and window alignment. Vertical layout prevents costly errors in window and door rough openings.

Lesson 3 • Framing Stairwell Openings

Addresses doubled headers, trimmer joists, and tail joists required for stairwell floor openings. Stairwell framing must be completed before upper-level subfloor is installed.

Lesson 1 • Roof Sheathing Installation

Covers panel layout, nailing schedules, and H-clip use for roof sheathing diaphragm action. Properly sheathed roofs resist wind uplift and provide a base for roofing materials.

Lesson 2 • Ridge Board Installation

Covers ridge board sizing, temporary support, and alignment during rafter installation. A correctly positioned ridge board controls roof symmetry and rafter fit.

Lesson 3 • Roof Geometry and Pitch Fundamentals

Introduces rise, run, span, and pitch relationships using the framing square. Mastery of roof geometry is the prerequisite for all rafter layout and cutting.

Lesson 4 • Gable End and Collar Tie Framing

Addresses gable stud layout, lookout framing, and collar tie installation for structural stability. Collar ties resist rafter spread and are required at specified intervals.

Lesson 1 • Jack Rafter Layout and Cutting

Teaches the common difference method for laying out hip and valley jack rafters efficiently. Jack rafters fill the triangular spaces between common rafters and hip or valley rafters.

Lesson 2 • Intersecting Roofs and Dormers

Addresses framing where two roof planes meet at different heights, including dormer cheek walls. Intersecting roofs require careful planning to maintain consistent ridge heights.

Lesson 3 • Valley Rafter Layout and Installation

Covers supported and unsupported valley rafter systems and their respective cut sequences. Valley rafters collect water and must be correctly sized and flashed.

Lesson 4 • Hip Rafter Layout and Installation

Derives hip rafter length and cuts using the 17-inch unit run principle on a framing square. Hip rafters form the diagonal corners of a hip roof and require precise geometry.

Lesson 1 • Wall Sheathing for Shear Resistance

Covers structural panel selection, nailing schedules, and edge blocking for shear wall assemblies. Shear wall capacity depends entirely on correct panel thickness and fastener spacing.

Lesson 2 • Lateral Forces and Load Path Concepts

Explains how wind and seismic forces enter a building and are transferred to the foundation. Understanding load paths is essential for correct shear wall and hold-down placement.

Lesson 3 • Hold-Down Anchors and Strap Installation

Teaches placement and installation of hold-down hardware that resists wall overturning forces. Hold-downs must be installed during framing before sheathing conceals anchor locations.

Lesson 4 • Structural Inspections and Documentation

Prepares students to pass framing inspections by understanding what inspectors verify and document. Accurate documentation protects the contractor and ensures code compliance.