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Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Framing

Guide Home
  • Introduction to Framing
  • Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Framing Floors
  • Framing Walls
  • Framing Stairs
  • Framing Roofs
  • Efficient Framing Methods
  • Timber Framing
How-To

Fast and Accurate Wall Framing: Episode 4 – Raise and Straighten the Walls

Get the new wall up to vertical, and use temporary braces to straighten the wall’s top plate in preparation for upper joists or rafters.

By Mike Norton

If you looked on from the street towards this project, you might just see some guys muscling up walls. But a closer look reveals that they lift each wall in a set of stages to make it easier. In this last episode, learn Mike Norton and his crew’s approach to getting the new wall up to vertical, and how they use temporary braces and a stringline to straighten the wall’s top plate in preparation for the next phase, adding upper joists or rafters.

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Videos in the Series

  • Master Carpenter: Fast and Accurate Wall Framing

    A pro builder shares time-saving tips for laying out, assembling, and raising walls.

  • Fast and Accurate Wall Framing: Episode 2 – Tips for Layout

    How to use a laser to set square and parallel wall plates, get good results from the chalk line, and tweak the rims of the deck.

  • Fast and Accurate Wall Framing: Episode 3 – Assembly

    Great tips for stud layout on plates, assembling the wall, and cutting out openings.

  • Fast and Accurate Wall Framing: Episode 4 – Raise and Straighten the Walls

    Get the new wall up to vertical, and use temporary braces to straighten the wall’s top plate in preparation for upper joists or rafters.

  • Tips for Setting Up a Cutting Station for Wall Framing

    Find out what key features you should include on your job-site to make framing progress more efficiently.

  • Fast and Accurate Wall Framing

    An experienced carpenter shows you his no-nonsense approach to building the structure of a house.

Previous: Framing Basics: 3 Simple Tips for Framing a Wall Next: How to Build a Temporary Brace Wall

Guide

Framing

Chapter

Framing Walls

View Comments

  1. polariscarpentry | Nov 21, 2016 12:24am | #1

    Episode 3 did not mention crowning the studs. Best to crown up while wall is on deck.

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Framing

Framing

Trusted, in-depth guidance from the pros for framing a durable, code-compliant house

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Introduction to Framing
  • House Framing Concepts, Tips, and More
Framing Tools, Techniques, and Materials
  • Tools
  • Techniques
  • Framing Lumber
  • Steel
Framing Floors
  • Floor Framing
  • Engineered Floors
  • Floor Sheathing
Framing Walls
  • Wall Framing Basics
  • Layout
  • Wall Assembly
  • Raising and Straightening Walls
  • Framing Rough Openings
  • Blocking
Framing Stairs
  • Stair Layout
  • Building Stairs
Framing Roofs
  • Roof-Framing Basics
  • Roof Design
  • Laying Out and Cutting Rafters
  • Framing Valleys
  • Working with Trusses
  • Dormers
  • Special Situations
Efficient Framing Methods
  • Advanced Framing
  • Double-Stud Walls
Timber Framing
  • Timber-Frame Construction
  • Timber-Frame Design

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