Construction Methods & Materials Flashcards

Under the IRC, what is the maximum depth of a notch in a load-bearing (exterior or bearing) wall stud?

Answer: 25% of the stud width

The IRC limits notches in bearing studs to 25% of the stud width; non-bearing studs may be notched up to 40%.

A client wants to remove part of a load-bearing wall to open the kitchen. What must be installed to carry the load across the new opening?

Answer: A properly sized header or beam

A header or beam sized for the span and load transfers weight to jack studs and down to the foundation.

What is the recommended minimum deflection limit for a floor system receiving natural stone tile?

Answer: L/720

Industry guidelines (TCNA) call for L/720 under natural stone, stiffer than the L/360 used for ceramic tile.

Why should a floating laminate or floating engineered-wood floor generally NOT be installed under base cabinets?

Answer: Cabinets pin the floor and stop it from expanding and contracting

Floating floors must move freely, and the weight of cabinets anchors them and causes buckling or gapping.

For holes bored through a solid-sawn floor joist, which rule applies under the IRC?

Answer: Hole diameter may not exceed one-third of the joist depth and must be at least 2 inches from the top or bottom edge

The IRC limits bored holes to one-third of the joist depth and keeps them at least 2 inches from either edge.

What is the typical on-center spacing of wall studs in US residential framing?

Answer: 16 inches

Studs are usually framed 16 inches on center, sometimes 24, which matters when locating studs to fasten wall cabinets.

Which wall framing is often specified when a kitchen wall must hold a 3-inch drain stack?

Answer: 2x6 studs

A 3-inch stack's outside diameter plus fittings needs the deeper cavity that 2x6 framing provides.