How to Build a Home – Framing

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We’re having a home built by D.R. Horton, and I’m back with another update. We’re in the middle of the framing stage. Here’s a list of the steps required to build a home, according to http://www.howstuffworks.com/:

Grading and site preparation

Foundation construction

Framing

Installation of windows and doors

Roofing

Siding

Rough electrical

Rough plumbing

Rough HVAC

Insulation

Drywall

Underlayment

Trim

Painting

Finish electrical

Bathroom and kitchen counters and cabinets

Finish plumbing

Carpet and flooring

Finish HVAC

Hookup to water main, or well drilling

Hookup to sewer or installation of a septic system

Punch list

With the frame going up, it finally feels like we’re having a home built. I guess the thought really starts to sink in when you can see the skeleton of your new home. Exciting stuff. Ok, speaking of stuff, howstuffworks.com says this about the framing stage: “[the] wall is made of 2×4 lumber and covered on the outside with an OSB (oriented strand board) sheathing. The 2x4s are placed on ’16-inch centers,’ meaning that the center of one 2×4 is 16 inches away from the center of the next.

…two things interrupt the consistent 16-inch pattern: Windows and special framing that will accommodate internal walls once they are built.” Additionally, “In the corners, the top plate on one wall overlaps the top plate of the next, and the walls are nailed together to bind the corner.” And since our house is being built on a slab, the frame bottom should be bolted to the concrete slab. Alright, on to the current pics…here’s a shot from the right side of our town home. You can see the wall frame going up for the units to our left and right (we are in the middle of a three unit building).

Here you can see the frame going up from the opposite side. Nothing too exciting, but you get the idea…

We’ll be out of town for three weeks, so it will be a while till I can post an update on the next phase of construction: windows and doors.

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