When you frame a long exterior wall and do it in sections, say a 50' 2×6 wall in 16' sections, how do you efficiently keep 16" O.C. layout when the next wall section would throw off the 16" OC Layout? Every wall section needs a stud at the end of it to be sistered against the next wall. Is it better to cut the wall plates down so that sistered stud is actually an on-layout stud, and then the next section of wall starts layout 1.5" back so that 16 inches from the first section wall – last stud, lands on the 2nd stud of the new section wall? Trying to see how this is done by the pros in mass production so it stays efficient?
Framing long walls in sections and keeping 16″ OC Layout
framing
Best Answer
When you pull layout from a wall end, layout shifts back toward the initial point 3/4" (half the stud width). The last stud in a run typically hangs past the plates 3/4", thus centering it on the 16" interval.
When you pull layout in subsequent sections, you do the same--shift 3/4" back from the 16" interval marks on the tape measure. If you like to mark both sides, mark 3/4" back and 3/4" beyond. If you use a square later, just mark 3/4" back and X beyond.
In real-world onsite scenarios, all plates are aligned and tacked in position to the subfloor, then layout is pulled in one continuous run.