Finished on floors - Hello Wall frames!!!

We had a little bit of the flooring to finish off this morning, but after lunch we started on the wall framing.  In order to get started we had to clear the floor sheets of any residual glue that had expanded from the joins of the sheets when drying, & also check the alignment of the floor.  Once done, we attached pieces of timber around the boundary joist (as pictured in top left photo). This was done in order to stop the frame from slipping off the edge when we were putting them into place.

As we are dealing with pre nailed frames, they arrived on site by truck & we had to assemble by referring to the plan that came with it.  Each frame is labelled on the top with a number which corresponds with the plan, along with the word 'top' so we knew what edge was to be on top when securing.  The frames were tied together using a combination of nail sizes.   Once aligned in correct place, a clamp is used to hold the two frames together, using a hammer the frame is then lined up with the pre-marked lines at the bottom.  The frame is tied at the bottom on either side at an angle with a 75mm nail.  The same process is done on the top as well.  The frame is also checked to be flush.  If there is a discrepancy, a sledge hammer is used to hit it down until it is.  Once done, the frame is tied in the same manner.  Down the vertical length of the joining frames, 2 nails side by side are nailed at 800cr (approximately just below or under the nogs), which is referred to as stitching.  Before they are driven in, a straight edge is put up against the frame to check for any bows.  If there is a discrepancy here, a chisel is used (much like when we were tightening up the floor sheets together) to leverage it straight.  When it is in line with the straight edge, it is nailed in at this setting with 100mm nails.

Along the bottom of the frames are figures, which represent the spacing between the studs (such as doorways, windows, stud spacings) & therefore the measurement of the noggings.

Noticed that some frames have metal bracing through the frames.  This is done as specified by the manufacturer, or what is called for from the plans.

Above is straight edge along wall frame join to check for bows & shots of boys doing the framing.

At the end of the day, we had put up all the pre nailed frames.  We still have a few corners to check for alignment and to tie in, but the majority of it is done.

At the end of the house, we had to put in some bracing as we have the end wall section missing as we are going to build this ourselves.  To keep it stable this had to be done, as there is no framing to add support the pre nailed frames laid along the length of the living room space.