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

A Floor Joists Floor joists are used t

o carry the load of the floor and ceiling

B Subfloor Subfloor are join to the joist so it can support the finish flooring.

C Wall Wall sheathing is plywood used to enclose the structure, provide

sheathing lateral support for the structure and provide support for the roofing
material.

D Top plate Top plate is a horizontal structural member that is located on top of
 the studs and it is used to hold the walls together.

E Sole plate Sole plate is a horizontal structure member that is located at the
bottom of the studs and it is used to hold the walls together. It also
provides a surface for attaching the wall to its supporting structure.

F Studs Studs are the vertical framing member in the frame wall
(Wall) construction.

G Sliding Sliding is material, such as boards or shingles, used for surfacing

the outside walls of frame building.

H Underlaym Underlayment is a tar-impregnated paper that is used for water

ent protection under roofing materials.

I Vapor Vapor Barrier is an engineered materials that is designed to keep

Barrier out liquid water and prevent air infiltration while allowing water vapor
to escape from the inside home.

J Roof Roof Sheathing is a plywood used to enclose the structure, provide

Sheathing lateral support for the structure and provide support for the roofing
material..

K Insulation Insulation is a material that is used to restrict of the flow of heat or

sound from one surface to another.

L Asphalt Asphalt Shingles is the roof shingles that is made out of asphalt-
Shingles saturated felt and cover with mineral granules.
M Roof Roof Trusses is an assembly of structural members joined to form a
Trusses rigid framework and it is usually connected to form triangles.

N Header A header is used to support structural members over openings

(window walls,
opening)

O Sill A still is placed on the bottom of the walls and opening in walls,
(Window supports wall and structure.
opening)

R
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 two components of a residential building that I am familiar with is Insulation and Asphalt
Shingles. Insulation is a material that is used to black the cold during the winter and heat during
the summer and sound from the outside. This components is important because it makes
people who are living the house more comfortable and quiet. Asphalt Shingles is used to block
out the rain, snow and other weather. This component helps separate the building of the house
and the environment.
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.
The part of wood frame construction that i think will change the most in the near the future is the
subfloor. This is so because the architect or the constructor would find a more effective method
or shape since this would help fix the problem of weak foundation and collapsing of homes.