Chapter 3 — Further Reading and Resources

Books

1. "Framing Floors, Walls and Ceilings" (Taunton Press "For Pros By Pros" series) This is a builder-focused practical manual on residential framing — the kind of reference a journeyman framer would keep on the job site. The detail it provides on platform framing assembly, wall layout, and floor systems is unmatched for an intermediate reader who wants to go significantly beyond this chapter. Multiple editions available; any recent one is appropriate.

2. "Complete Guide to Trusses" — American Institute of Timber Construction The AITC produces technical guidance on engineered timber products. For homeowners with truss-framed homes, understanding the structural logic of trusses — what the web members do, why span tables exist, what constitutes a damaged truss — is genuinely valuable. Available through AITC at aitc-glulam.org.

3. "Renovation" by Michael W. Litchfield (Taunton Press) A comprehensive renovation reference that includes extensive coverage of structural investigation — how to determine load-bearing status, how to plan wall removals, how to size replacement beams. The structural investigation chapters alone are worth the book's price. A standard reference for renovation contractors, but entirely accessible to homeowners.

Online Resources

4. American Wood Council — Span Tables (awc.org) The American Wood Council publishes free online span tables for dimensional lumber and engineered wood products. The "Span Calculator" tool at awc.org allows you to enter species, grade, size, spacing, and load to determine whether a specific joist or rafter is adequate for a given span. Invaluable for verification, though final structural decisions should always involve an engineer for anything beyond simple confirmations.

5. APA — The Engineered Wood Association (apawood.org) APA is the primary technical and marketing organization for structural wood panels (plywood, OSB) and engineered lumber products. Their technical library includes free publications on floor system design, I-joist installation requirements, and sheathing specifications. If you want the manufacturer's perspective on why I-joist flanges can't be notched, this is where to find the technical basis.

6. WoodWorks — Wood Products Council (woodworks.org) WoodWorks publishes educational resources on wood construction for both professionals and homeowners. Their case studies and technical briefs on engineered lumber applications are readable and technically grounded. The "Why Wood Works" series covers building science concepts behind wood framing.

Video Resources

7. "Platform Framing Fundamentals" — Build Show Network (YouTube) Matt Risinger's channel has multiple videos on residential framing fundamentals — reading a lumber stamp, understanding engineered lumber products, and the why behind platform framing decisions. Start with his framing playlist for a visual complement to this chapter.

8. "Structural Inspection for Homeowners" — Fine Homebuilding video series Fine Homebuilding (a Taunton Press publication) produces video content that bridges professional craft knowledge and homeowner education. Their structural inspection videos — covering floor bounce, load-bearing wall identification, and header sizing — are among the best accessible treatments of this topic available. Search their YouTube channel (@FineHomebuilding) and their subscriber site at finehomebuilding.com.

Technical References

9. International Residential Code — Chapter R502 (Floor Framing) and R602 (Wall Framing) Chapter R502 of the IRC covers floor framing requirements: joist spans, notching and drilling rules, engineered lumber requirements, and beam and girder specifications. Chapter R602 covers wall framing: stud size and spacing, bearing wall requirements, and header sizing tables. Both chapters are available free at up.codes/viewer/irc. The header table in R602 (Table R602.7) is particularly useful — it provides prescriptive header sizes by span and load condition without requiring an engineer for standard applications.

10. "Evaluation of Existing Residential Framing" — ASHI Research Series The American Society of Home Inspectors publishes research papers on specific residential systems. Their framing evaluation resources cover how home inspectors assess framing conditions — including how to evaluate notch and hole violations, recognize balloon framing, and identify load-bearing walls from the accessible evidence available during an inspection.

Engineered Lumber Resources

11. TJI I-Joist Specifier's Guide — Weyerhaeuser TJI (Trus Joist International) is one of the dominant brands of engineered I-joists. Weyerhaeuser publishes a free specifier's guide that includes hole charts (exactly where holes can be placed in the web at each joist depth and series) and installation requirements. If your home has TJI floor joists and you're planning any plumbing or electrical work through the floor, this document is essential. Available at woodbywy.com — search "TJI Specifier Guide."

12. LVL Design Guide — Multiple Manufacturers Every major LVL manufacturer (Weyerhaeuser, Boise Cascade, Pacific Woodtech, etc.) publishes a free technical design guide for their LVL products, including span tables and allowable load charts. If you know the LVL brand in your home (visible on the beam stamp), download that manufacturer's design guide. If you're sizing a new LVL header or beam for a renovation, these guides give you the prescriptive tables — though an engineer should verify any complex or high-load applications.

Local Resources

Your local lumber supplier's technical desk: Building supply stores that serve professional contractors (not big-box retail) usually have staff with genuine expertise in engineered lumber product selection and span calculations. A 15-minute conversation with a knowledgeable sales engineer at a local lumberyard can answer many practical sizing questions and confirm whether a proposed framing solution is in the right range before involving a structural engineer.