Platform Framing

Bookmark and Share

Most homes built after 1930 were constructed with platform framing. Temporary support systems for platform framed houses should hold up the ceiling joists. This is because the ceiling platform, and not wall studs, carries the upstairs load. Supports can be made using either a hydraulic jack or temporary stud wall methods.

Temporary Hydraulic Jack Supports

If the ceiling joists run perpendicular, you would make a temporary hydraulic jack support the following way:

  1. Cut three 2X4s that are 4-feet longer than the planned rough opening on the wall.
  2. Make a top plate by nailing two of the 2X4s together using 3-inch nails; use the remaining 2X4 as the temporary bottom plate.
  3. Place the bottom plate on the floor about 3 feet from the wall to allow room to work; center it at the planned rough opening.
  4. Put one hydraulic jack 2-feet from each end of the bottom plate. If the opening will be more than 7 or 8-feet wide, use three jacks. One at each end, the other centered in the middle.
  5. Build a post for each jack by nailing together two 2X4s; make each post 3 to 4-inches shorter than the distance between the top of the jack and the ceiling.
  6. Use 3-inch counter sunk lag screws to attach the posts to the temporary top plate; position end posts 2-feet in from the ends of the top plate.
  7. Cover the surface of the top plate with clean toweling, rugs, or other material to prevent damage to the ceiling.
  8. Lift the structure into place, positioning the posts onto the hydraulic jacks. Adjust the structure to ensure it is plumb.
  9. Carefully raise the hydraulic jacks until the top plate makes contact with the ceiling and just begins to lift it. Do not lift too far or you could cause damage to the floor or ceiling.
Post Your Home Improvement Project
In the event ceiling joists run parallel to the project wall, alter the above directions to include the following steps:
  • Using two 2X4s nailed together, make two 4-feet long cross braces.
  • Attach the cross braces to the temporary top plate, centering each brace 1-foot in from the ends of the top plate.
  • Make sure that the bottom plate of the temporary support is directly over a floor joist.
  • In step 5, instead of making each post 3 or 4-inches shorter than the distance between the top of the jack and the ceiling, increase the distance to 8-inches.
  • In step 7, instead of covering the top plate with material to protect the ceiling, cover the surface of the braces.
  • In step 9 carefully raise the jacks until the cross braces makes contact with the ceiling and just begins to lift it. Do not lift too far or you could cause damage to the floor or ceiling.

Temporary Stud Wall Supports

As mentioned earlier on page 31, if temporary support needs to be left in place for longer than one day and ceiling joists run perpendicular to the project, opt for a temporary stud wall instead of hydraulic jack supports.

Do the following:

  1. Using 2X4s construct a stud wall that is 4-feet wider than the planned wall opening, and roughly 1¾-inch shorter than the distance from the floor to the ceiling. Space studs 16 to 17-inches on center.
  2. Position the stud wall about 3-feet from the project wall to allow room to work; be sure it is centered at the planned rough opening.
  3. Slide a 2X4 the same length as the top of the temporary stud wall in between the temporary wall and the ceiling; be sure the wall is plumb.
  4. Carefully drive wood shims between the top plate and the 2X4 at 12-inch intervals.

< Balloon Framing   |   Building Codes and Permits >

The Comprehensive Guide to Home Renovations

Disclaimer

Are Your a Quality Service Professional?
Contractors
Click Here!
ADVERTISEMENTS