Framing a Second Floor and Understanding Building Plans

How did we ever get by without drone footage? This is the second story framing on Nate's new

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[shinigami]

I think the most amazing thing to see is how positive the comments are. Every other social media post I see from people building stuff, trades, etc. are just filled with people complaining they're doing this or that wrong and a lot of "well actually..." type of comments. It's nice to see people not doing that here and if they do, it's very respectful.

[gprend]

One of the most excellent videos you have uploaded. Viewers, don't be multi-tasking while watching 'cause in a moment you will miss something important/interesting. Drone shots are right on. These men are professionals at work.

[Shiji_Ren]

Your timing is perfect. I remodeled my house from stem to stern using videos from this channel. I've watched the entire Spec House series. I'm watching it again as I put together and form my own plans/blueprints to build an addition from scratch myself that will include a second floor, so this video is great. Thanks so much for your contribution to these topics. Your channel is indispensable and if I am ever in Oregon and you're still around, I'd like to buy you a drink.

[kevinvremanconstruction]

Nice work! Every contractor watching your videos appreciates that sometimes you just have to put the utilities where it's not ideal. Very good videos. It's always nice to see how other contractors handle things. Keep it up!

[arubaguy]

What an interesting video. It's unbelievable how much goes into framing and covering a structure. The US is blessed with massive forests and renewal plans that allow such wide-spread use of wood products. The same is not true for most of the rest of the world.
The unusually eclectic mix of musical instruments in the background is quite pleasant, also. Who would have thought organ played through a rotating speaker would blend in with resonator guitar? Thank you to the EC team for another fine upload. Subbed years ago.

[jchasew]

Plans can seem overwhelming for sure. I’m a superintendent for a general contractor and we do commercial building. Schools, theaters, hospitals and everything in between. My focus on the job is safety, scheduling and budgets. We rely heavily on our subs to understand their division in both, spec books and plans. I have no business telling a plumber or electrician and many others how to get their work done. I’m merely there to ask their questions to both the proper engineers and architect when there’s a discrepancy. I’m knowledgeable enough to layout a building to ensure as we build up trusses and joists will land in their spot. It’s a major team effort and when it’s done there’s a sense of pride for everyone involved. It’s an absolute joy for me!

[richwallace]

I will add as a retired building inspector, I look at these same things to know if the correct hanger was used on the correct laminated beam. Truss layouts give a lot of information ass well. Great video.

[chriswest]

Lots of things I like about this channel -- one in particular is the pacing of the videos and the good use of voice-over. Keep up the good work. (Heh, heh!)

[TrevorDennis]

So interesting to watch. Especially the time lapse. It was also nice to see so much progress in the one video. If I was not already subscribed to this channel, watching this video would have hooked me for sure.

[gtbkts]

Thank you for all the awesome content and great videos!!!

[michaelc.]

I’m just a nerdy electrical engineer, and while civil engineers (like my father) did these kinds of load designs. Their work is beyond critical and are beyond critically important. All this banter points to the pecking order of engineering teams. Incredibly important, all, and all very important.

[robthewaywardwoodworker]

I do love framing. I think if I hadn't gotten into design, I might have gone that route. I did physically build a few houses early in my career, so I could be confident in my design work. Any good designer/draftsman should get his or her hands dirty on a job site. If you can't build it, you shouldn't be designing it. Just my humble opinion. House is looking great!

[westleywest]

Thank you for this video. I watch many on home construction and I learned more USEFUL information in this one!

[mackfisher]

Well done video, the editing seems seamless. Westinghouse design and your construction company seems top-notch.

[robertseguin]

it is amazing how quick it goes. thanks for sharing

[BigJohnson]

Framers did a damn fine job, well organized and fluid. I love seeing openings router out in lieu of ripped open with a recip saw. Much nicer job.

[MrSubliminalStudios]

When it says something like 1.55E (like your lsl) or 1.9e, 2.0e, 2.1e (for lvl or microlams) that isn’t a model number. It defines the timber’s “modulus of elasticity” which is basically just a fancy way of saying how bendy the material can get before it tears itself apart. The E is very similar to the e that appears when you deal with big numbers on a cheap calculator. 1.55e is the same as 1.55 x 10^6 or 1, 550, 000. I don’t know what sort of unit the modulus of elasticity is measured in, but I do know that it is one of the determining factors when sizing a beam. I sell building materials reading plans just like yours, except the builders never spend enough on their architect, so most of the engineering is fudged by me, the salesman. :/

[aserta]

A good companion to any up and coming builder that wants to read the plans efficiently and fast, would be a dictionary that has all the visual terms and definitions inside it. When i first started architecture, our gov had them made, these days, they're privately funded affairs, dunno about NA, but i'm certain there's an equivalent either online or in paper format, and it helps a lot. I cannot overstate how much i leaned on it and still do, whenever i'm teaching others or putting my clients in the awareness spot so we can hold an equal conversation.

[Jim-Wade]

As a retired appraiser, I've seen a lot of plans and, believe me, not all are created equal. What you are showing are plans AND specifications. It is incredible how many people sign a contract with a builder with only a floor plan - no elevations, foundation, plumbing or wiring plans, etc. In over 20 years doing appraisals, I only saw a handful of plans and specs that were acceptable. Builders and their buyers tended to get mad when I started asking questions about specifics, but I was able to educate a few along the way. If you're going to build, watch Nate; he's taking the right steps from site selection and planning, to final finish. Yes, it costs more to do it right, but there is VALUE in doing it right. If you go for lots of extras, realize they don't return dollar for dollar in value. Cost and value are two different animals - don't blame the appraiser if the value is less than the cost! Yeah, you can find plenty of appraisal whores who sell a number and their signature to keep everyone happy, but in the end you'll pay the price. Also, pay the architect a little extra to make interim inspections to assure that the plans and specs are being followed. It's cheap insurance if you later discover something was not done properly.

[n.b.forrest]

I've watched many framing videos and this is the first one to show standing the exterior walls with the sheathing and wrap on them. Never understood why you would expend the extra labor to sheath after the wall is standing. Been in construction 40 years (90% commercial) and I have never stood an exterior without sheathing except when working alone. But I have an obsession with effeciency. Good job!