Activity 2.1.

1 Wood Frame Systems

Introduction
Most people do not consider what is behind the painted walls or exterior surface in
most buildings. Homes are often constructed with a wood frame, especially if the
area has an abundant supply of wood. Much of the United States has an abundant
supply, so wood frame buildings are common. Different regions, however, dictate
other differences, such as whether the outside facing walls are made of 2x4 or 2x6
studs to allow for different amounts of insulation. Wood frame construction has
existed for many years. If you visit a construction site to observe the skeleton of
such a structure, you should be able to make sense of the placement of the different
support pieces.

Equipment

Internet and/or reference texts

Procedure
In this activity you will use available resources to identify the primary parts of a
traditional wood frame structure and then describe the purpose of each.
1. Use letters or numbers to identify at least 15 components in the image below.
Then list the purpose of each component.
2. Upon completion, discover and include any components that should be added to
your table.
Label

Component

Components Purpose

Floor Joist

Used to hold up the floor.

Subfloor

When added with the floor joist finishes the floor.

Sill Plate

Made to place studs onto the platform.

Wall Studs

Used to form the frame of the walls of the building.

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CEA Lesson 2.1 Activity 2.1.1 Wood Frame Systems Page 1

Double Top
Plate

Double Studs

Header

Ridge Board

Rafters

Roof
Sheathing

Asphalt
Shingles

Wall
Sheathing

Vapor Barrier

Sliding

Transfer loads from joints above.

Transfers the loads to the edge of the openings.
Frames door and window openings.
The ridge board is placed at the peak of the roof to support the
roof framing.
Rafters frame into the ridge board and are supported on the
exterior walls.
Plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) is often used as roof
sheathing to enclose the structure, to provide lateral support to
the structure, and to provide support for the roofing material.
A secondary weatherproofing layer for the finished building.
Plywood, OSB, or an insulating board can be used as wall
sheathing to enclose the structure. The wall sheathing also helps
resist lateral loads such as wind and earthquake loads and
supports the exterior finish.
A vapor barrier is designed to retard the migration of moisture
through the exterior of the building.
Used for finished building.

Underlayment The underlayment layer is often called felt or paper and

provides temporary weatherproofing during construction

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CEA Lesson 2.1 Activity 2.1.1 Wood Frame Systems Page 2

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Conclusion
1. List, describe, and explain the purpose of two components of a residential
building that you are familiar with, such as your home.
The wall studs and rafters of a residential building create the framework of the building.
The wall studs allow the roof, windows and doors to be created, the rafters are
specifically made to frame the roof.
2. Which part of wood frame construction do you think will change the most in the
near future? Explain the change and why you believe it will occur soon.
In the near future, its possible that the material that is used to construct the frame will
change. Due to advancing technology, a material that is more sturdier than that of wood
could be discovered, as well as the structuring of the frame of a building.

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010
CEA Lesson 2.1 Activity 2.1.1 Wood Frame Systems Page 3