Replies

1. 
   Framer | Nov 08, 2007 05:12am | #1

   No, not at all!

   What was the dispute and why the three top plates?

   Joe Carola

   
   

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   Edited 11/7/2007 9:20 pm ET by Framer

1. 
   scottbuilt | Nov 08, 2007 05:44am | #2

   one of my friends framed some walls without taking into consideration the thickness of the finish materials (floor, ceiling drywall). when he realized what he had done he was pretty upset. i told him to add a 3rd top plate and move on, he didn't think that was acceptable. the alternative is to tear down and rebuild. i don't think it is a code issue...

1. 
   RichBeckman | Nov 08, 2007 05:48am | #3

   Not that I know anything about it....But I would've said that three top plates is wasteful. But if the alternative is tearing it down and rebuilding it, I suspect the 3rd top plate is less wasteful.There is also the issue of more wood/less insulation. But given the circumstances, I suspect that isn't that big an issue.

   Rich Beckman

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Nov 08, 2007 03:32pm | #12

   "But if the alternative is tearing it down and rebuilding it, I suspect the 3rd top plate is less wasteful."

   A third top plate can be less wasteful even on the initial build. I recently needed a rough height of 8'-4" to match existing conditions. Rather than cut down 10 footers (wasting 2' per stud), I used 8 footers and added an extra top plate. Passed inspection no problem and used less wood to boot.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   Jim_Allen | Nov 08, 2007 06:23am | #6

   I've seen eight!I've done a few triples and possibly a fourbanger.Insulation it the only issue and if we really cared, we'd all be putting the studs on 24" oc. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)

1. 
   CapnMac | Nov 08, 2007 08:19pm | #13

   if we really cared, we'd all be putting the studs on 24" oc

   And staggered non-full-depth.  Or with the insulation all outside of the framing.  Or some such.  And no windows, either <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

3. 
   Framer | Nov 08, 2007 06:23am | #7

   Scott,

   The only issue that has any importance would be that you would have to raise your header up 1-1/2" by cutting out the first top plate. Anything else isn't even worth worrying about.Joe Carola

4. 
   Piffin | Nov 08, 2007 07:06am | #9

   Not a thing wrong with that! I do three or four sometimes for various reasons 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

5. 
   JDRHI | Nov 08, 2007 07:32am | #10

   the alternative is to tear down and rebuild.

   WOW! Yer buddy is a tighter azzed perfectionist than I am!

   Add the third plate. Just do a good job of staggering any joints.

   J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements

    

    

1. 
   Piffin | Nov 08, 2007 02:24pm | #11

   Our latest addition needed walls at 8'6" to match the original house so we went with eight foot studs and four plates, three on top 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Nov 09, 2007 10:32am | #18

   Piffin, if I had to work with four plates, I think I'd prefer to double the top and then double the bottom too.I'd like that because it would make the base nailing go faster. FKA Blue (eyeddevil)

2. 
   Piffin | Nov 09, 2007 12:54pm | #19

   Good thought 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   fingersandtoes | Nov 09, 2007 07:36pm | #20

   Easier to drill for services too.

   When I've framed units that are having gypcrete poured, I use two bottom plates. I lay out the floor plan and spike down the first plate and then its easy to just place the walls on top.

4. 
   Jim_Allen | Nov 09, 2007 07:39pm | #21

   I would do the same Fingersandoes FKA Blue (eyeddevil)

2. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Nov 08, 2007 06:08am | #4

   It's no problem at all.

    

   Jeff

3. 
   RedfordHenry | Nov 08, 2007 06:10am | #5

   About the worse thing is the additional thermal bridging.  Other than that, it happens.

4. 
   clinkard | Nov 08, 2007 07:00am | #8

   We recently did a job with 4, and it was no problem to the inspector, however a framing crew that used to do our jobs got caught with 6. As long as the overlaps are big enough 3 is no problem.Toronto, Canada

5. 
   frenchy | Nov 08, 2007 09:36pm | #14

   scottbuilt,

    my top plates are 12 inches thick..

1. 
   Framer | Nov 08, 2007 09:49pm | #15

   my top plates are 12 inches thick..

   Wow Frenchie, 8 top plates?

    Joe Carola

1. 
   frenchy | Nov 08, 2007 10:07pm | #16

   Framer.

    Oops I should have said plate, singular..  Sorry..

    

1. 
   Framer | Nov 08, 2007 10:11pm | #17

   Frenchy,I knew what you meant because I know that you have a Timber Frame home.. Just busting you a little...............;-)I frame walls a lot without any top plates by using microlams and sitting joists or rafters right on top of them.Joe Carola

1. 
   newtonstreetbuilder | Jun 21, 2022 08:58pm | #22

   So this is crazy, but I just had an engineer tell me if I used a triple plate, it creates a hinge issue and I had to strap to the studs every 4 feet! Sounds ludicrous to me...

6. 
   Paisley | Jan 21, 2023 06:28pm | #23

   If you do add a third, or more, top plates then how are they arranged? I know for double the top most plate on one wall across over this other wall in order to Anchor them together. How does that work but the addition of more plates? Every other one overlaps? Only the top top one?