Building the walls

Now that your subfloor is done, you can start with the exterior walls. During this phase, on which your project will model itself more and more, you will learn how to frame and erect exterior walls. We recommend you build them flat, on the floor of the house before erecting them.

Any wood used in the framing must be dry. Humidity must not exceed 19%.

Exterior walls are made of 2 in. × 6 in. (38 × 152 mm) studs. Studs are the vertical parts of the frame and must be separated by 16 in. (40.64 cm) spaces.

The lower part of the wall rests on a sill plate that is the same width as the studs, 6 in. (152 mm.) You need to attach the studs to the sill plate and install the truss beam across the top of the studs.
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1. Assemble the exterior walls
2. Build window headers
3. Install the intermediate siding and the air barrier
4. Erect the wall
5. Erect inside partitions

1. Assemble the exterior walls

Assemble the walls horizontally on the floor. Lay the sill plate where you want to erect the wall and nail the studs perpendicularly onto it. Be sure to nail the studs on 16 in. centers. Install cap plates - two 2 in. × 6 in. (38 mm × 152 mm) beams nailed together - on top of the studs.

1.1 

For walls that have to accommodate a window or door, install secondary studs made of two studs solidly nailed to one another. Their role is to clearly define the outer limits of the door or window opening and support the headers.

1.2 

Before proceeding with the installation of the exterior siding, attach a sheet of plywood or a chipboard panel to each corner of the wall to reinforce the lateral wall. Alternatively, use wind bracings.

2. Build window headers

Headers transmit their weight to the king studs located on either side of the window opening. To install a header, all you need to do is to made a sandwich of lumber and plywood consisting of three 2 in. × 10 in. (38 mm × 235 mm) and a piece of 1/2" plywood nailed together.

3. Install the intermediate siding and the air barrier

Once the outside walls are framed, it's time to install the sheathing. This sheating consists of large panels measuring 4 ft. × 8 ft (1.22 m × 2.44 m), which act as a screen against wind and rain and stiffens the structure. We suggest 5/8" OSB or plywood. The air barrier consists of breathable high tech paper which stops air and water infiltration but lets water vapour out.

3.1 

We suggest you install everything on the flat, starting with the intermediate siding, then the air barrier. Spread the panels over the wall frame and nail them in place using 3 1/4" ardox framing nails. Then, apply the air barrier using nails or staples.
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