My Old Workshop | Category Archives: FramingFraming Archives

Home improvement and renovation tips

Post and beam alternatives

While we might refer to particular framing parts as posts and beams, that doesn't always mean a big solid piece of heavy timber. They might be a different animal altogether. Built-up beams If you're building a deck, and you need a beam to run between a couple of posts to support the deck joists, you ...

Four toenailing tips

When you're toenailing a piece, it's pretty tough to keep it in place as you hammer. Here are some ideas to do it right. If you're doing a bunch of regularly-spaced items, such as studs nailed in place after the wall is up, simply cut a piece of 2x the length of the gap (14.5" ...

Nailing tips

Even the best carpenters don't always hit the nail on the head. A slip, or one too many hits can mar that nice trim finish wood. If you want to guarantee a perfect finish, try this. Lay a small piece of pegboard, a shim, or a piece of 1/8" panelling or plywood on the piece ...

Why washers are important

If you've worked with wood at all, you know that as great and versatile as it is, it's generally not the hardest material in the world. When you hammer a nail into a spruce framing member, you can easily drive it beyond the surface of the wood, even if it's a big framing nail. When ...

The joys of a framing hammer

While the magic nail gun threatens to make it an antique, the framing hammer still belongs in every DIYers toolbox. A framing hammer is a larger claw hammer, with a head weighing anywhere from 20 ounces to 2 lbs, a longer handle, a straighter claw, and usually a milled face. That extra weight and the ...

How to frame an inside corner

When you're framing a wall, inside corners can throw a curve at you. (I know, we're stretching it, but couldn't resist.) In addition to building a strong wall, you need to provide a nailing surface for the drywall or other wall finish. If you simply erect one wall, and then erect the next one perpendicular ...

Housewrap hints

Last time we looked at the advantages of housewrap. Now we'll show you how to install it. Manufacturer's instructions may vary a bit, so check them, but these basics should apply most of the time. Install the housewrap before you install windows or doors in the openings. Start at the bottom. In fact, one method ...

Housewrap and what it's for

When you build a house (or an addition), you generally apply sheathing to your wall studs, and then put your siding material over top of that. Another method is to install polystyrene installation over thinner (2x) walls, which helps to improve the overlap of insulation. But either one of these techniques will still allow air ...

How to fix a sagging floor 2

Last time, we looked at how sister joists can help firm up a bouncy or sagging floor by providing support where the original joist has sagged. Here's how to install the joist youâ€™ve cut. We'll assume the simplest situation, that is, with no jacking up of the floor involved. First off, get a friend to ...

How to fix a sagging floor

Just like people, older houses can tend to sag here and there. If your house is showing its age in creaking, springy floors, it may be because one or more of the joists below it are starting to sag. Here's something you can do to strengthen your floors and rejuvenate your poor old house. A ...