Unit introduction
This building shows the typical construction sequence for the walls and roof of a brick veneer home. The timber wall frames and roof trusses are erected and the windows and door frames installed. Then the brickwork is laid around the exterior walls.
You can see that it's the timber wall frame that supports the weight of the roof. The brickwork only provides an outside skin to help insulate the home and give it a durable exterior.
Timber framing has been used in building construction in Australia since colonial days. In those times, houses were likely to have either timber framed walls with cladding fixed directly to the framing, or be constructed in full brick or sandstone. However, with the development of brick veneer houses in the 1900s, timber frames started to find their way into the more established and prestigious homes.
These days, brick veneer is the standard construction method for residential housing, and although steel framing is used in some buildings, timber is still the most popular choice by far.
In this unit, we'll look at the principles of timber wall framing and the structural elements that make up a frame. We'll also discuss the basic methods used to pre-fabricate wall frames in a frame and truss plant, ready for transportation to the building site for installation.
Assessment
The process of assembling wall frames is a hands-on activity, so the main focus of your formal assessment will be your ability to build good quality wall frames and use equipment efficiently and safely. But there will also be a theory component to your assessment, where you will need to demonstrate that you have a sound understanding of the technical terms commonly used, as well as a knowledge of the general principles that apply to wall frame construction.
This unit will help you with the theory component. The assignments you complete will contribute towards your evidence of competency.
Background knowledge you should already have
There are no formal prerequisites to this unit. However, you will find it very helpful to complete three other units first, particularly if you're new to the frame and truss industry. These units are shown below, and are all found in the Timber Plus Toolbox. They will provide you with the background knowledge needed to properly understand the principles being discussed here, and the practical considerations that wall framers have to take into account as they put a wall frame together piece by piece.
We will revise some of the information presented in these units as it becomes relevant to particular topics in 'Assembling wall frames'.
Working through this unit
There are two sections in the unit Assembling wall frames:
- Wall frame components.
- Putting the frame together.
Each section begins with Your job, which introduces you to the topics covered and gives you a link to the Task you will need to undertake to demonstrate your understanding. Your trainer may ask you to submit the completed Tasks as part of your assessment evidence for the unit.
Select the link below to go to the first section for this unit.