Framing a house: the basics

Wood framed house complete

Framing a house is by far the easiest part of kit building. All frames and trusses are supplied pre-fabricated according to your plan. In general terms, framing is a building technique based around vertical structural members (studs), which provide a table frame to which interior and exterior wall coverings are attached, and covered by a roof comprising horizontal ceiling joists and sloping rafters or manufactured pre-fabricated roof trusses, which are covered by various roofing materials to give weather resistance.

Because of the prefab walls and trusses, framing a house can be accomplished by one person in around two to three weeks, including all tie-downs and bracing, ready for a council authority inspection.

Depending on your kit home timber frame house plans, your frame and roof design will vary, but will be supplied in an easy-to-follow, ready-to-assemble pack.

Most simple kit roofs are gabled, which are by far the easiest to build. Basic carpentry is all that is needed to stand, plumb and secure the pre-assembled frame walls and trusses. Complete step by step instructions are supplied in your construction manual.