Wood Products on the Job - Structural Applications
Wall Systems
Light frame walls consist of vertical members, called studs, affixed at the top and bottom to horizontal plates, as well as the attached sheathing material. Non-load-bearing walls are usually interior partition walls and load-bearing walls are exterior or interior walls that hold the weight of materials and contents from above.

Bearing walls used in residential construction are most commonly dimension lumber such as 2x4 or 2x6. Stud grade is a North American grade of lumber specifically suited for wall construction and is typically available in pre-cut lengths common for ceiling heights. Building codes provide requirements for the minimum stud size, the maximum stud spacing, and the maximum unsupported wall height.

Finger-jointing is the process of gluing together short pieces of lumber to create longer members. Finger-jointed studs have the same load capability as their solid wood counterparts.

For high walls such as cathedral ceiling end walls, larger wall studs are sometimes used. Wood I-joists or laminated veneer lumber may be used and consultation with the manufacturer is recommended. You can also download the Tall Walls Workbook for more information.

Stud walls, used for exterior walls, must be designed for both gravity loads and lateral loads resulting from wind pressure. When the lateral load on a wall is direct, as in the case of a wall facing the wind, the wall joists are subjected to bending forces in addition to the compression forces from the weight of the roof and walls above. When the wall is located parallel to the lateral load, the wall is subjected to racking and the quality of the connection between the framing and the plywood or oriented strand board sheathing is crucial for structural integrity.

Where the wall studs are interrupted by openings like doors and lintels, a structural frame consisting of a lintel at the top and sistered studs on the sides is needed to transfer the loads around the opening to the support below.

Web Resources

Tall Walls Workbook
Provides information on wood-frame design and construction in the challenging coastal climate of B.C.