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Framing & deck guides
How-tos behind the calculators: layout, openings, headers, decking and waste — with worked examples and cited references.
- Stud spacing explained: 16″ vs 24″ on centerWhat 16, 24 and 19.2 inch on-center stud spacing means, why it matches 4×8 sheets, how to lay out the marks and how spacing changes the stud count.
- How to frame a door or window rough openingStep-by-step rough opening framing: sizing the opening, king and jack studs, header, rough sill and cripples, with a worked example and a framing diagram.
- Wall header basicsWhat a header does, how headers are built for 2×4 and 2×6 walls, how depth and jack studs relate to span, and when to use a code table or an engineer.
- How many deck boards do I need?The deck board formula with board width and gap, how board length changes the count, screws per board, waste allowances and a table for common deck sizes.
- Deck joist spacing and spanHow joist spacing, size and span relate on a deck, what your decking needs, a cited IRC-based span table for southern pine, overhang limits and beam spans.
- How much waste to add when estimating lumberRealistic waste percentages for studs, plates, headers and deck boards, where waste comes from, and how to estimate it from a layout instead of guessing.