Bird's mouth
Triangular right-angled notch formed in the end of a timber (e.g.rafter) to enable it to be securely fixed to a rectangular timber
Source
Source
Brace
A diagonal support placed across the angle between two members that are joined; serves to stiffen and strengthen the members
Source
Source
cap plate
A plate located at the top of a column or end of a beam for capping the exposed end of the member.
Source
Source
ceiling joist
A secondary horizontal framing member attached between the bottom chords of trusses. Serves as a structural member to which gypsum wallboard or other ceiling finishing materials may be attached
Source
Source
Cripples
Short boards that run vertically below and/or above windows and doors.
doubler
Boards nailed together for added strength
fascia
gable
The triangular shape formed at the end of a truss roof house.
header
A beam running horizontally above windows, doors, or other openings to support the weight of the roof.
hip rafter
The main support for the jack rafters in a hip roof, normally at a 45 degree angle from the common rafters.
jack rafter
A rafter that spins from the top plate to the hip rafter or from the valley rafter to the ridge
joist
Boards that run horizontally and support the ceiling or floor.
king stud
The stud running from the top to the bottom plate on either side of a window.
Layout
The marking of where studs and cripples are located on wall plates.
Miter cut
An angled cut on any board.
On Center (o.c.)
A measurement from the center of one board to the center of another.
Plumb
To make it straight up and down. No racking and no leaning.
Prefabricated roof trusses
Replace the rafters and ceiling joints used in converting framing. The use of trusses enables the builder to construct homes with greater speed and accuracy. Trusses are normally built off site and delivered as a complete truss set.
- Top cord is the top member of the truss to which the roof would be attached
- Bottom chord is the bottom member of the truss to which the ceiling would be attached
- Webs are used to make the truss strong. They form triangles, which are very strong structural shapes
- Gussets are used where the webs meet at the top and bottom chords and where the top cords and bottom cord meet. Gussets are used on each side of the joint for strength.
Racking
When a wall, or a rectangular shape, leans to one side and is no longer a rectangular shape. Braces are used to keep walls from racking.
Rafter
The sloping boards of the roof of a building.
Ridge
The highest point of the roof.
Rough In
The framing of a house. This includes floor framing, wall framing, roof framing, window installation, and exterior door installation
Rough opening (R.o)
The opening left in a framed wall for a window or door.
Sole plate
The bottom board of a wall. Sometimes called the bottom plate.
Stud
The upright boards in the framing of the walls. The top and bottom plates are fastened to each end of the studs. Studs for a standard eight-foot wall are pre-cut to 92-5/8 inches.