Framing is the structural skeleton of a building, made up of vertical and horizontal members, typically wood or steel, that support the walls, floors, and roof, giving the structure its shape and carrying loads down to the foundation.
Everything visible in a finished home, from drywall to siding, is ultimately attached to this underlying framework, which is why framing quality has such an outsized effect on a building’s long-term performance.
Different framing methods and materials have evolved over time, each suited to different regions, building types, and budgets, though the underlying purpose of creating a stable structural skeleton remains constant.
What Types of Framing Are There?
- Wood framing, the most common residential method
- Steel framing, used in commercial and some residential construction
- Timber framing, using large exposed structural members
- Platform framing, building one floor level at a time
- Balloon framing, an older method using continuous studs
Why Is Framing Important?
Framing determines a building’s ability to safely carry structural loads, resist wind and seismic forces, and maintain its shape over decades of use, making it one of the most consequential stages of construction. Errors or shortcuts during framing, whether undersized members or missing connections, can compromise safety in ways that are often invisible once finishes are installed over the framework.
Because framing also establishes the rough dimensions for every other trade that follows, from electrical to plumbing to insulation, accuracy at this stage significantly affects how smoothly the rest of construction proceeds. Working with a contractor experienced in the specific framing method chosen tends to produce better long-term results.
Framing vs. Structural Wall
Framing is the general term for a building’s entire structural skeleton, encompassing walls, floors, and roof. A structural wall is one specific framed component within that larger system, carrying loads that framing as a whole is responsible for transferring safely to the foundation.