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Posts and Beams

Along with the foundation, posts and beams are the backbone of a house frame. A beam is a horizontal support and a post is a vertical support. Together they are used to provide support for the framing in areas where a wall would be in the way. The size of posts and beams is determined by how much weight they have to support and calculated by an architect or engineer. Posts and beams can be steel, wood or engineered lumber.

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On-Center

When placing joists, studs, rafters or trusses, carpenters need to know how far apart to install them. The distance is indicated on building plans and is commonly referred to as “on-center” measurement. Joists placed 16 inches on-center will have 16 in. from the center of one to the center of the next. For ease of measuring and marking, carpenters measure from the edges rather than centers of the framing members. This works as long as you measure from left edge to left edge or right edge to right edge.

*The term “member” is used to describe virtually any object that’s part of a greater assembly or structure. Carpenters often use member to generally describe any part of a house frame within a certain category. For example, you might hear a builder say “The roof frame members are stacked over there.”