DIY Network

Frame by Frame: Second-Story Framing from the Ground Up From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-105

Just like a single-story home, the frame for your multi-level home begins as soon as your foundation is poured. Once the foundation is cured, you're ready to begin the seven step process of building the multi-level frame.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

How Is a Multi-Level Frame Built?

1. Install a sill plate (figure A) on top of the foundation.

   Note: There are codes that say you have to use pressure-treated wood for sill plates in a home.

2. Once the sill plate is complete, build and then raise the first-story walls. The walls are comprised of a sill plate, a vertical stud and a then a single or double top plate.

3. Create a ceiling for the first floor, and remember that the ceiling joists of the first story serve as the floor joists for the second floor. This means that joists are working double duty (figure B). After all the walls have been stood on end on the first floor, the layout of the second floor will follow by putting all the joists out and nailing them on. Once the floor joists are in, glue and nail the sub-floors down, which is normally 3/4" tongue-and-groove plywood.

4. Build and raise the second-floor walls. Do this by using the same technique required to build and raise the first-floor walls.

   Note: For those of you building homes with multiple stories, repeat steps 3 and 4 as much as you need to.

5. Add stairs to join the first and second floors.

6. Add on the roof frame (figure C) -- making sure to keep the pitch of the roof in mind so that you have enough room in the attic. In the ceiling there will be either open-wall roof trusses or a conventional stick frame, using 2 x 6's or 2 x 8's as rafters.

7. cover the roof and wall with plywood or OSB. Once the entire house is covered you're done framing the house!

As a final note, remember the importance of being precise throughout the entire framing process. This is because the walls and window openings that are plumb and level during the framing stage will make the rest of the home building process go smoothly, hopefully.
For more information on framing your new home, visit our Home IQ Online Package. We have a slide show on framing and a framing section under the "Raise You Home IQ" section.

In the next episode of Blueprint for Home Building, host Jeff Wilson discusses adding a roof to your new home.

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