Joints In Top Plates

orson

I have always cut my top plates so that joints are split on a stud on all walls, including double top plated walls.

Three times recently I have had occasion to be looking at other companies' framing and see they split their top plates willy nilly.

What do you guys do?

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shanekw1

I always split them on studs, with as big a stagger as possible for the double

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K2

In the days when everything stacked 16 inches on center i didn't worry about it but when we started going 19.2 to 16 to 24 we didn't want anything to land on a flying joint so we started landing joints on a stud. Inspectors here seem to just worry about a 4 ft lap on outside walls.

JonM

According to code...you don't even need a top plate...

R602.3.2 The exception

Bearing Studs come into play @ R602.3.3


http://www.richmond.ky.us/codes/Form...nstruction.pdf

Build it Right

We split 1 stud on each side with a 1/4 so separation, so we can suck the joints together. Pretty sure most codes are 4 ft. from partitions and corners . Where you can do this.

Meetre

I think it's mostly about quality and personal preference, but I split all plates on a stud, even the second on top...just makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

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Joe Carola

There's no need to split the plate over the stud. I've never done it once intentionally in my life and never had a problem.

If you're following IRC Chapter 6 R602.3.2 Top Plate.

"End joints in top plates shall be offset at least 24."

"Joints in plates need not occur over studs."

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Lester S.

Makes it a little easier on the other trades who might be drilling up. No chance of hitting nails.

Bill

As a plumber I have respect for the other trades. When I frame EVERY lock plate is broke on a joist and EVERY lock plate is nailed over a stud so the others drilling do not hit a nail. Want to piss me off? Nail between the studs. I will find you and bitch like a woman!

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curapa

I always break the top plate over a stud. The main reason I have done this is to keep nails out of the other trades way.

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curapa

You beat me to it.

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KentWhitten

I was called on it once under the UBC. Never looked it up to see if the inspector was giving me ****. From that point on I did it always just out of habit and not wanting to take the chance I get another inspector with his specific interpretation of the code, know what I mean?

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KentWhitten

Yeah, I think I ran into you years ago. Got the hint. Also, no dropping things on the floor when the plumber has his head in between the floor joists below you. That really seems to piss 'em off good.

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skyhook

Glad to somebody knows what they are talking about.

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THe Builder

Since the beginning of time , you always connect wood to wood, anything else is just not right.Any transfer of loads needs to be on bering points? yes or no?

Joe Carola

Not for top plates. Who says that joints not landing on studs isn't right, you? I've been framing for 25 years and never landed a joint on a stud and never seen any other framer do it either. Subject has never been brought up by any Architect, Engineer or building inspector. I must be doing something right.


I'll change framing according to new codes as the years go by, but I won't change the way I do top plates until the code changes, or for some crazy reason I think that there's something wrong with landing joints off studs, which will never happen.


This is true. If there's a beam that lands in the middle of two studs, underneath that beam will be enough studs to carry the beam even if a joint is there, there's no problem because there are 2x4's underneath. I frame 16" o.c and everything stacks. Sometimes I frame 12" o.c and a joist lands in between the studs, maybe hitting a joint int the plate, but never an issue.

I nail all plates above the studs. The only nails that get nailed in between a stud will be at a joint.

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K2

It is nice to keep them nails out of everyone's way at 50 bucks a bit.

TaitINC

I always order 10' lumber for plates. that way i can make nice easy 10' sections to stand at a time. i break all three plates every ten feet. It makes the job very easy, especially when all but one employee call out sick. you all should try it!

JonM

Maybe you should buy the boys coffee/and once in a while...

K2

That's so "East Coast"..