Drove by a couple new projects today. Both in the framing phase. Noticed on both projects the window/door headers were placed directly below the top plate with the cripples extended down to a single cross member, this is exactly opposite my standard framing procedure. Did I miss some new developement in framing technique?
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Replies
Headers
In California for some time we've been framing all openings in 8' walls with 4x12 headers and no cripples. The extra material cost is more than covered in labor savings. The technique you describe makes perfect sense and may offer a slight structural advantage in that cripples are not bearing, and the load is continuous from the top plate down the trimmers without any cripples. I can't see any reason why not to do it this way other than tradition.
It makes no difference at all and I think is easier and faster to frame. Using this technique you only need cripples to nail drywall to, not carry any loads.
Hey there,
In addition to what the other posters stated as advantages, having the header tight to the plate and cripples below allows one to remodel easier down the road, say if one wanted to make a 6'8" door into a 7'0", or add a transom. The structural framing remains in tact and superfluous framing is removed to create the taller opening. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it, but agreed it still looks "unconventional" sometimes.