A lot of the carpentry terms and definitions vary from region to region and sometimes from town to town. I've tried to use the politically correct name as well as all the slang used in house framing, wall framing, floor framing, roof framing, and all aspects of carpentry terms . However it would be impossible to include all the terminology let alone get it all right, so they will be updated as needed.
A temporary brace shaped like the letter A used to hold a wall in place until another wall can be built. Normally only used in the beginning stages of wall framing.
In carpentry terms any wall that is taller than a normal 8' or 9' wall such as a two-story foyer or stair opening. Another place these are usually used in modern carpentry are for a gable wall with a cathedral ceiling contained in that room.
The fascia board on a gable end also known as a fly rafter. I've also heard people use this term when they nail a board down for a lay down valley as in roof framing.
The triangular shaped cutout that allows the rafter to sit on the top plate correctly the two cuts to form this are known as level and plumb cuts. Used in roof framing.
A specialty pry bar designed just for digging in and pulling embedded nails. A very useful tool, every rookie should carry one just in case the boss needs it. A slang carpentry term for a nail puller.
The way grandpa did it, and is still used today on more complex roofs. Every single component of the roof is figured and cut on the job site then hoisted up {usually by hand } and assembled by the carpenters.
An acronym, height above plate. This carpentry term is used to describe the stand or height of any rafter at the backside of the birdsmouth, or outside edge of the building.
Traditionally a carpentry term used to describe a carpenter who has completed their apprenticeship in the local union, but also anyone who has many years experience and is considered to have paid their dues in the trade.
Carpentry term used to describe a common rafter when it is placed on the end of the ridge board to set the ridge to the proper length in a hip roof configuration. It is the same size as a common rafter in a conventional hip roof.
This is just a large rough terrain forklift used to move and access material around much more efficiently on the job site. This machine can easily become your best friend. especially when roof framing.
plywood is a thermally fused, resin saturated paper finish over a particle board core. It is highly resistant to stain and abrasion. Normally used in the cabinet building industry.
Basically this is just a large rough terrain forklift used to move and access material around much more efficiently on the job site. This machine can easily become your best friend. especially when roof framing.
A pointed metal tool used in carpentry to find a point directly below another. Can be hung from a string to plumb a wall, though not used very much nowadays, it is still useful for plumbing tall balloon and gable walls.
A sloping or angled wall. The top of the wall is angled to match the pitch of the roof. Used mainly in areas with vaulted, cathedral, or barrel ceilings.
Defines the tasks normally performed by the framing carpenter, such as floor framing, wall framing, roof framing, window installation, and exterior door installation.
A Carpentry term defining the opening left in a framed wall for a window or door, the window manufacturer will usually provide these for you. General rules of thumb for windows are 1/2" bigger than the windows actual measurements to provide for slight adjustments. Interior doors are 2" bigger than the call out on the door, an example would be 2/8=2/10, exterior doors need to be 2 & 1/2" bigger.
A roof truss with an angled ceiling already built-in, used for rooms with a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, the pitch of the ceiling is normally half that of the roof.
Also known as a level cut, normally used to refer to the portion of the birdsmouth cut in a rafter that allows it to sit flat on the top plate of the wall framing.
Laying out the floor plan on the deck or slab which represents where the walls are to be placed after framing. Then using a chalk line to represent these walls.
Small octagon shaped buttons that clamp onto a framing square to speed the marking of repeated measurements such as stair stringers and rafter patterns.
is a pair of steps or ladders that is accessible to pedestrians but generally inaccessible to animals. Stiles allow access to a field or other area enclosed by a fence or wall. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it, but they may be difficult to use for some disabled individuals.
In carpentry terms a pattern made to speed up the process of marking numerous identical pieces to be cut such as rafters, stringers, studs, treads, risers, etc.
