Layout, Floor and Wall Framing
Learn the basic principles and methods of floor and wall framing in construction, from which tools are essential for a framing job to common applications for sheet goods and key systems used to build walls.
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Lesson Plan
18 Video Lessons · 2H
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1. Introduction to Framing
Sarah Smith is executive director of Sawhorse Revolution, a Seattle nonprofit empowering disadvantaged high school students through carpentry and design. Sarah shares what you’ll learn in her course, from wall frame construction to common tools.
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2. Dimensional Lumber for Framing
Sarah describes several types of dimensional lumber used in wood framing, noting key measurements and terminology.
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3. Sheet Goods for Exterior Framing
There are two types of engineered wood products for wood frame construction: CDX and OSB. Learn their properties, common applications, and how they’re best used.
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4. Fasteners
Sarah shares the types of fasteners commonly used in wood framing, including sixteen-penny nails, galvanized nails, and joist hanger screws.
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5. Personal Protective Equipment
Keeping yourself safe is essential on any project. Learn what PPE is useful for wood frame construction, from ear protection to respirators.
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6. Hand Tools
Sarah covers three types of hand tools: tools for nail manipulation, measuring, and marking. Plus: miscellaneous tools like chisels, saws, and plumb bobs.
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7. Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air. Sarah shares how they're used and her thoughts on maintenance.
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8. Cutting Tools
Sarah reveals the most common cutting tools you’ll find on a framing site, like the circular saw, sawzall, oscillating tool, and power planer.
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9. Drills and Drivers
Drills and drivers fasten and manipulate lumber. Learn essential drill and driver terminology and how to choose fasteners for tools.
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10. Tool Belt
Sarah shares which tools to stash in your toolbelt: the hammer loop, torpedo level, and cat’s paw.
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11. Principles of Framing
There are three principles of quality framing: planning ahead; supporting and connecting the structures; and ensuring plumb, level, square, and straight structures.
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12. Terminology and Getting Started
Learn which members comprise wall frames and floor frames: studs, footings, joists, and more.
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13. Layout Marks and 16 On-Center
Sarah shares essential layout marking tools, then shows how to measure and mark a piece of lumber so it’s “sixteen on-center,” meaning every 16 inches aligns with the center of the stud.
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14. Floor Framing
Sarah describes the floor-framing process, which entails leveling skids, installing floor joists, and making exterior rim joists flush.
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15. Squaring Floors
Sarah shares two ways to check for square floors: the 3-4-5 triangle method and measuring for even corners.
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16. Assembling: Walls
Sarah shows how to assemble wall layouts by measuring and marking the lumber before installation.
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17. Tipping Up Walls
Learn about tipping up walls, from marking measurements with chalk lines to clearly communicating.
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18. Squaring and Bracing Walls
Sarah shares ways to check for square and plumb walls and how braces hold walls in place.
Who it's for: This course is designed to cover the fundamental aspects of floor and wall framing to help construction workers gain the basic skills and knowledge required to build efficiently on a jobsite.
Key Topics
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Layout
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House framing
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Tools for framing
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Floor framing
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Wall framing
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Types of lumber
5 stars
Overall rating of 40 students
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5 out of 5
William R.,
May 26, 2024
Great for people just getting into the trade, you can learn a lot quicker than I did having to get shit all day while learning
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5 out of 5
Erik O.,
Mar 10, 2024
Pay attention, take notes, and take quiz as soon as completing videos to keep the information fresh on your mind.
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5 out of 5
Aaron M.,
Mar 08, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I am not new to framing but, it was a good refresher as I have been out of the framing world for some years now. The information given in this course was easily...
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5 out of 5
Brian S.,
Mar 03, 2024
Really enjoyed this course… learned a lot.
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5 out of 5
Annalivia O.,
Feb 05, 2024
NA
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5 out of 5
Ann B.,
Nov 28, 2023
The included info was very informative. I would recommend, however, showing the correct answer for questions answered incorrectly during the end exam.
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5 out of 5
Antonio M.,
Nov 21, 2023
Good Information
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5 out of 5
Payton H.,
Nov 09, 2023
Learned a lot, consistent info with what I'm experiencing on a job site
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5 out of 5
Erin C.,
Nov 07, 2023
good
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5 out of 5
Dylan B.,
Oct 05, 2023
thank you
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5 out of 5
Akeem O.,
Aug 21, 2023
Framing
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5 out of 5
JOSE G.,
Jul 24, 2023
GOOD
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5 out of 5
Dylan M.,
Jul 22, 2023
EXCELLENT
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5 out of 5
Ketul S.,
Jul 14, 2023
Wish you could cover roof framing
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5 out of 5
Blake L.,
Jun 16, 2023
Helpful hints and tricks for basic framing
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5 out of 5
Andy C.,
May 19, 2023
good stuff
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5 out of 5
Benjamin J.,
May 17, 2023
It was very well done.
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5 out of 5
Ronnie L.,
May 13, 2023
She did a great job with all the basics of tools and wall and framing layouts.
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5 out of 5
Patrick C.,
May 11, 2023
Framing
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5 out of 5
Warren P.,
May 08, 2023
Great Course!
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5 out of 5
Ricardo M.,
May 05, 2023
Excellent
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5 out of 5
Gilly C.,
May 02, 2023
A little challenging but i learned alot
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5 out of 5
Martin M.,
Apr 27, 2023
good
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5 out of 5
Roberto P.,
Apr 24, 2023
I love the communication and delivery of the training.
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5 out of 5
Briant B.,
Apr 18, 2023
It was a great learning experience to get to know more about framing.
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5 out of 5
Lidzy P.,
Jan 16, 2023
all the basic stuff a really good foundation would recommend to anyone starting in the carpentry trade
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5 out of 5
Sita K.,
Oct 30, 2022
Easy to Understand
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5 out of 5
somona L.,
May 21, 2022
Great
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5 out of 5
Chris R.,
Feb 09, 2022
Good intro to some framing basics
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5 out of 5
Syed A.,
Feb 05, 2022
Like the course it covers Important aspect of framing and basic terminologies
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4 out of 5
Austin L.,
Feb 06, 2024
it was useful for learning.
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4 out of 5
Dean S.,
Aug 22, 2023
Very helpful but could have gone into more detail made us of illustrations
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4 out of 5
Jonathan K.,
Aug 08, 2023
lots of knowledge , instructor was clear in easy to understand , if I had to say one thing missing in the course would be some sort of downloadable plans or document to be able to review and stud ....
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4 out of 5
Zachary L.,
May 02, 2023
There were certain aspects of the final quiz that were not covered in the videos. One example being the 3-4-5 method.
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4 out of 5
Riley Z.,
Apr 10, 2023
learnt lots
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4 out of 5
Kevin C.,
Feb 17, 2023
Good knowledge
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4 out of 5
Ray V.,
Nov 08, 2022
.
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3 out of 5
Joe H.,
Apr 26, 2023
Had some good tips. To much detail on all the tools and missed out on the most common in miter saws. The PPE portion was outta hand. She was just short of wanting workers to wear a hazmat suite. To...
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2 out of 5
Judel D.,
Dec 18, 2023
Questions and answers doesn’t make sense.
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2 out of 5
jamie H.,
Nov 29, 2023
too much time spent on description of tools, not enough time spent on actual demonstrations. also would have been helpful to see demonstrations performed on more commonly used structures, rather than...
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Sarah Smith
Carpentry and Design Educator
Your Instructor
Sarah Smith is the executive director of Sawhorse Revolution, a Seattle nonprofit that aims to empower disadvantaged teens through building. Since helping to launch the nonprofit in 2010, Sarah has seen Sawhorse Revolution build everything from over a dozen cheerful tiny homes to a 16’ diameter, octagonal tree house hoisted high off the forest floor. In 2021, Sawhorse Revolution’s work on Estelita’s Library, a serene community space that doubles as a bookstore and library, was featured in Dwell. "At the core of our work,” she told the outlet, “is the idea that youth can and should have a hand in shaping their own neighborhoods.” When she’s not busy building, Sarah can be found traveling, visiting friends and family, and working on her cast for fly fishing.
Become Job Ready
This course will increase your knowledge for jobs like:
Carpenter
Apprentice Carpenter
Laborer
Framer
Remodeler
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.
