How House Framing Works
Learn about the structural elements behind construction framing: load paths, internal forces, external forces, why these factors make a house stand strong, and how they apply to almost anything you build.
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Lesson Plan
11 Video Lessons · 1H 12M
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1. Introduction
Your instructor, Jordan Smith, is a professional builder and president and owner of the design-build firm Smith House. Jordan shares what he loves about framing: It’s the perfect mix of physics and craftsmanship.
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2. External Forces
Jordan reviews the three external forces that a building encounters—dead loads, live loads, and environmental loads—and how each of these forces physically interacts with a structure.
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3. Internal Forces
There are five types of internal forces: tension, compression, shear, bending moment, and torsion. Learn how these forces act on a structure, and which common construction materials are associated with each type of force.
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4. Assemblies
Walls are an essential construction assembly that go into framing. Jordan takes you through the ways in which walls are reinforced with cross bracing, shiplap, and sheathing, and how they resist the external forces of compression, tension, and shear.
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5. Bending Moments
Jordan reviews how bending moments impact various framing structures, like door frames and windows. Also, learn how door frames and windows brace against bending moments using studs and beams.
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6. Resisting Torsional Forces
Jordan discusses the fundamental framing elements that resist torsional force, such as bracing in the foundation, beam to post applications, and wall to roof applications. He also reviews how jack studs help areas with large gaps of space—for example, how garage doors resist torsional forces.
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7. Trusses
Trusses are triangular structures that utilize tension and shear to create stable, strong framing. Learn how trusses are applied to roofing, ceilings, and beams.
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8. Roofs and Windows
Jordan uses a framing structure model to identify key components like the rafters, headers, beams, and studs. Then, he tracks the load paths throughout the roof and windows, marking the areas experiencing compression and tension to show how the structure resists external forces.
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9. Front of the House
Jordan walks you through the front of the model and explains how the load paths move through the front door, garage door, sole plates and top plates in the walls.
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10. Interiors
Jordan takes you inside the model to show how load paths move through the cathedral ceiling, ceiling joists, and load-bearing walls. He also explains the structural differences between a load bearing and non-load-bearing wall, and how to identify either one in a home.
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11. Conclusion
Ultimately, framing should be durable, functional, and beautiful. Jordan reviews that knowing why a structure is built is just as important as knowing how it's built, and will help you become a better construction professional.
Who it's for: This course is designed for those new to the trades or beginner-level framers looking to gain a strong foundation in the basic fundamentals of how construction framing works when building a house.
Key Topics
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Forces & stresses
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Loads & load paths
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Trusses
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Roofs & windows
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Assemblies
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Identifying load-bearing walls
5 stars
Overall rating of 70 students
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5 out of 5
Charlie O.,
Nov 08, 2024
5
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5 out of 5
Daniel O.,
Nov 03, 2024
Went a little quick and hard to follow in the last stage while reviewing the model (e.g., not always clear what the instructor was referring to in a given camera angle, all aspects not fully...
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5 out of 5
Jesse S.,
Aug 17, 2024
what a great class incorperation of visuals and very simple language for the viewer to understand made this course a great continuing education course. give it a solid 5/5
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5 out of 5
Rhenan B.,
Jun 20, 2024
This is what I've been looking for 4 years and is unique you can't find this material anywhere, I have always wanted to learn framing I have bought the dewalt book and some other books and none of...
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5 out of 5
Imer R.,
Jun 04, 2024
s
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5 out of 5
Diego O.,
May 21, 2024
it was nice
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5 out of 5
Edgar M.,
May 13, 2024
Good explanation and really easy to understand
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5 out of 5
Elijah D.,
Mar 21, 2024
Need a basic understanding of framing to fully understand the content
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5 out of 5
Chris P.,
Mar 17, 2024
This course was worded so well and made things extremely easy to understand.. Jordan's a phenomenal educator
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5 out of 5
Gerald T.,
Mar 11, 2024
Dndj
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5 out of 5
Brian K.,
Feb 21, 2024
learned a lot in a efficient timeframe. able to quickly observe framing structures and call out names and load paths
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5 out of 5
Cameron H.,
Jan 30, 2024
wall framing
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5 out of 5
Andre D.,
Jan 22, 2024
Super relevant course and very easy to follow along.
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5 out of 5
Long T.,
Jan 10, 2024
dwadwadwa
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5 out of 5
Jared V.,
Jan 09, 2024
This course was a goo overview of framing and how it works
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5 out of 5
Kinverly D.,
Dec 14, 2023
perfectly, I like how the explanation is very easy also how and the end of the course explains all the forces in the house It also looks pretty cool.
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5 out of 5
Christian V.,
Dec 13, 2023
3
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5 out of 5
Jeremy D.,
Nov 21, 2023
M
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5 out of 5
Denver K.,
Oct 27, 2023
Great demonstration of how, why, and what it takes to frame a house being structurally sound
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5 out of 5
Adam L.,
Oct 24, 2023
nice course, very basic but informative. good way to get your toes in the water or if you are a bit thick in the head.
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5 out of 5
Steven S.,
Oct 13, 2023
good
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5 out of 5
Cameron N.,
Sep 26, 2023
Very helpful...highly recommend!
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5 out of 5
Kevin G.,
Sep 05, 2023
It was a lot of help and was a great tool for naming out details that I did not know
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5 out of 5
Dean S.,
Aug 23, 2023
Very useful course that uses real life models to make the material understandable and intuitive
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5 out of 5
Jonathan K.,
Aug 18, 2023
Excellent course lots of knowledge made very clear and easy to understand
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5 out of 5
Justin O.,
Jul 20, 2023
Great learning!
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5 out of 5
JOSE G.,
Jul 19, 2023
excellent
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5 out of 5
Ketul S.,
Jul 14, 2023
Mechanics crash course in an hour
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5 out of 5
Greg R.,
Jun 25, 2023
This was a very enjoyable course. It was taught with great clarity and simplicity
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5 out of 5
Pete M.,
Jun 11, 2023
Great to learn new things
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5 out of 5
Ann B.,
Jun 11, 2023
Appreciated how easy he made engineering concepts to understand.
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5 out of 5
Luis C.,
Jun 11, 2023
Great job in making the content understandable and engaging. Love the examples
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5 out of 5
Dan M.,
May 11, 2023
Loved the visuals. Helped me grasp all of the concepts and forces in framing.
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5 out of 5
Jonathan A.,
May 02, 2023
The instructor in this course explained how house framing works in a way a child could understand. We learned not only where the members of a structure go but also why they go where they go.
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5 out of 5
Dylan H.,
Apr 24, 2023
enjoyed it
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5 out of 5
Ryan S.,
Apr 19, 2023
Fantastic visuals, and explanations during the video. A topic was discussed, and shown to us visually. Loved it, worked fantastic for my learning style. Thank you, I am looking forward to the other...
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5 out of 5
leonel M.,
Apr 03, 2023
good explanation
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5 out of 5
Ronnie L.,
Mar 18, 2023
Very clear cut foundational training on the the forces and structural members of a home.
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5 out of 5
Tennyson T.,
Feb 25, 2023
Great for beginners or even for those that have done a bit of building but need to better equipped and familiar with the definitions. Really enjoyed the part about weight and forces are transferred.
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5 out of 5
`David L.,
Feb 20, 2023
Great Intro to Framing, all of the basics are covered
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5 out of 5
Stephen Z.,
Feb 07, 2023
terms need to be consistent
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5 out of 5
Jacob S.,
Feb 06, 2023
Easy to learn
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5 out of 5
Luseane R.,
Jan 21, 2023
Great teacher and teaching style. Visuals very helpful and “tinker toys” were great.
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5 out of 5
Logan G.,
Jan 19, 2023
Framing
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5 out of 5
Brad D.,
Dec 22, 2022
I’ve always been curious about framing. I work along with two other contractors and we share work together. This keeps us busy all the time. We each have different strengths that add to the...
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5 out of 5
hector F.,
Nov 27, 2022
Clear and easy explanation of all the basic framing elements
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5 out of 5
Jared V.,
Nov 21, 2022
Interesting course! Why don't you give the right answers to the quiz after you take it though? (an explanation on why your answer was wrong would be helpful too)
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5 out of 5
harry B.,
Nov 13, 2022
Thanks
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5 out of 5
Harol S.,
Nov 05, 2022
Great!
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5 out of 5
amit H.,
Oct 23, 2022
lots of important knowlege
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5 out of 5
Noah D.,
Aug 16, 2022
I enjoyed the course very much. It was easy to follow, understand and navigate throughout when needed.
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5 out of 5
JORGE L R.,
Aug 11, 2022
Excellant speech pattern execellant explanations
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5 out of 5
Alexander N.,
Apr 18, 2022
Great course!!
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5 out of 5
Kolby G.,
Apr 02, 2022
Great
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5 out of 5
guillermo C.,
Mar 22, 2022
Great course
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5 out of 5
Terry G.,
Feb 10, 2022
great information
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5 out of 5
Cole T.,
Feb 03, 2022
Well done! I was always curious why and how they are built the way they are. Great information.
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5 out of 5
Michael F.,
Feb 02, 2022
Very informative
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5 out of 5
Catherine I.,
Jan 24, 2022
Very Informative
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5 out of 5
Ben K.,
Jan 15, 2022
Good course on load distribution. Another class on how to properly layout and cut rafters would be helpful.
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5 out of 5
Michael R.,
Jan 07, 2022
Jordan is very clear and easy to understand. He explained everything very well.
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5 out of 5
Sakul S.,
Jan 01, 2022
Great
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5 out of 5
Syed A.,
Dec 18, 2021
Good explanation
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5 out of 5
Nephi C.,
Dec 10, 2021
Loved this. We’ll done, good information
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5 out of 5
Jose S.,
Nov 16, 2021
Great job in putting together this training session.
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5 out of 5
Aaron M.,
Oct 30, 2021
This is a good quick course that can be expounded upon later for new employees. Or for guys who just don’t fully understand the why in framing.
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4 out of 5
Joe H.,
May 19, 2023
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4 out of 5
Info T.,
Feb 03, 2022
Simple and easy to watch.
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3 out of 5
GARY R.,
Oct 27, 2022
Very well put together, hit the main basics but definitely lacking in info. It is designed more like a construction based $75 "trip charge" (or pay me to show up) rather than an educational charge...
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3 out of 5
Eric M.,
Aug 28, 2023
Knowledgeable teacher and good presentation. Subject matter stayed more surface level than I had anticipated. I had hoped there would be explanations for pitch requirements, how a valley or hip is...
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Jordan Smith
CEO of Smith House Company
Your Instructor
Jordan Smith is the CEO and Founder of Smith House Company, a design+build firm based in Austin, Texas. He learned to build and weld while working on the farm with his grandad, and after earning a degree in Welding and Materials Engineering, he spent the next 10 years working in the heavy construction building everything from robots to ships to offshore oil rigs before transitioning to residential construction. After spending a couple of years working with industry leading builders in Austin, Jordan and his wife Veronica struck out on their own to form Smith House Co.
Smith House Co. strives to build more beautiful, functional and resilient spaces which are self sustaining and harmonize with their natural surroundings.
Become Job Ready
This course will increase your knowledge for jobs like:
Carpenter
Finish Carpenter
Remodeler
Remodel Carpenter
Finisher
For more information on these roles, visit our career page.
Search for these jobs at:
Common Questions
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What is MT Copeland?
MT Copeland helps you further your career in the building industry with expert-led online education that will make you a better, smarter tradesperson.
Our training courses give you a foundation in construction fundamentals and trade skills with real-world applications and best practices to help you grow on the job.
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What do courses include?
Online courses include professionally produced videos taught by leaders in the trades and supplementary learning material such as quizzes, assessments and downloadable materials to help you acquire new skills. Watch anywhere, always at your own pace. We keep lesson videos short so they’re easy to watch after work or on your lunch break. You can finish a course in one sitting, or space it out over a week or two.
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Can you learn with MT Copeland outside of the u.s.?
Yes! You can take MT Copeland courses from anywhere in the world. Our courses are online, so if you have access to the Internet, you can watch our training videos. Courses are taught in English, with English captions and Spanish subtitles available.
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Where did the name MT Copeland come from?
MT Copeland was named after a legendary educator who promoted the idea that training in a specific trade paired with a knowledge of general business principles opens up a whole new world of career possibilities. We believe in the same powerful combination of skills and knowledge.
