Mud Plate
In older timber-framing practices, the lowest horizontal framing member, sometimes laid right on the ground. Today it's an alternate name for sill plate. See also Sill plate. Back to alphabetical list

On Center
The measurement of spacing between framing members as measured from the center of one member to the center of the next. Abbreviated O.C. Back to alphabetical list

Platform Framing
A framing system in which the frame of the building is raised one story at a time with studs that are a single story high. The walls for each story are set over the underlying joists and subfloor; the joists for subsequent floors lie on the top plate of the stud walls below. Back to alphabetical list

Post
A vertical framing member sufficiently strong to carry the load of the beam and structure resting on it. Back to alphabetical list

Rafter
The structural members comprising the roof and providing support for the covering. A variety of special rafters (hip, valley, jack, common, fly, etc.) may be called for, depending on the type of roof. Back to alphabetical list

Rough Opening (R.O.)
An opening in the framed wall sized to accommodate later installation of window and door frames. The size is often specified by the door or window manufacturer. Abbreviated R.O. Back to alphabetical list

Sill
Another name for sill plate; the bottom horizontal framing member of a window or door opening. Back to alphabetical list

Sill Plate
The horizontal framing member at the base of a wood-framed house. Attached to the foundation with anchor bolts set into the foundation. A layer of foam sill seal material insulates between the sill plate and the foundation. Back to alphabetical list

Sole Plate
The bottom horizontal member of a frame wall. Back to alphabetical list

Stick-Framing
Building on-site using individual pieces of lumber (sticks), as opposed to engineered or panelized elements such as trusses or factory-built walls delivered to the site. Back to alphabetical list

Stud
The vertical framing members, wood or steel, in a wall. Back to alphabetical list

Top Plate
The top horizontal member of a frame wall. Back to alphabetical list

Trimmer
Another name for jack stud. Back to alphabetical list

Truss
A engineered structure of short framing members, such as beams, chords, and diagonals, assembled into a rigid support structure. Frequently used for roofs, now becoming common for floor framing, as well. Back to alphabetical list

Valley
The angle formed by two intersecting sloped roof planes. Back to alphabetical list

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