In the old days, framers tackled each wall separately, a
process that is still common in some areas. But for
the serious framer, it's too slow. Now we concentrate
on each step in the process, not on each wall.
The first step, called
snapping, is to locate and
mark out each wall and
its exact intersection
with other walls, using a
chalk line. The second
step, plating, is to cut and
temporarily nail together
a top and bottom plate
for each wall. The third
step, detailing, is to locate each component of every wall
— windows, doors, headers, intersections — and mark it
on the plates.
This is the brain work in wall building. Once it's
done, the