4 8 



The Country House 



etc., better than will the single stick. The two sticks, having different grains, 



tend to an increase of strength in their combination. 



The sunk girt is placed at a height sufficient to receive the ends of the 



second-floor timbers upon it, and is framed into the posts and pinned. The raised 



girt is set on a level with the top of the floor timbers and, like the sunk girt, 



framed into the posts. Both girts are commonly 4x8 sticks. 



The plate, the capping member of 

 the wall frame, is ordinarily 4x6, and 

 this is small enough. Like the sill, it is 

 halved at the angles and mortised to 

 receive the post. It may be made up 

 of two 2x6 pieces spiked together, which 

 form has its advantages. 



The braces have an obvious office 

 they preserve the plumb and rigidity 

 of the frame. The braced frame, un- 

 like the balloon frame, can stand alone, 

 and is complete in itself without the aid 

 of temporary support. It is always ad- 

 visable, in instances where the braces 

 are framed into a made-up sill or post, 

 to "lag bolt" the members of the made- 

 up timber together; the strain is such 

 that ordinary nailing is apt to loosen 

 (see Fig. 3). 



The ledger board which supports 

 the attic floor timbers is of i-inch 

 stock let into the inner side of the 

 studding. In comparison with the girts 

 it appears weak, but it is really stronger 

 than it looks. It is held firmly on 

 edge; thus its depth, which is its 



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Fig. 4. Balloon framings 



strength, is not allowed to become impaired by twisting. This and the support 

 afforded by cutting into the studs make it adequate for the purpose. 



Window and door studs, usually 4x4, can be made up of two pieces of 

 ordinary studding, but the single stick is perhaps better for the braced frame. 

 They are framed in, at each end, to the horizontal members. 



The head stud, which forms the top of the window or door opening, 

 should be framed on as the tie beam of a miniature truss, which, coming under 

 girts and plate, helps to support them, and at the same time prevents the head 

 stud from sagging and bearing on the door or window frames, which would happen 

 were the truss omitted. Of course, for the ordinary opening, the girt would 

 change but very slightly, if at all; yet the brace makes a more rigid structure, 

 and one less liable to jar, which is the aim of good construction. 



The sill stud receives the weight of the window, and should be made secure. 

 It is not necessary that it should be framed in. An ordinary piece of boarding 



