Residential Construction Methods

Wood-frame residential construction is the most common building type in the United States. Approximately 90% of all homes are wood-framed, and residential construction accounts for the largest share of annual construction spending. Whether you plan to build homes, inspect them, manage their construction, or work on commercial projects that interface with residential work, a thorough understanding of residential construction methods is essential. This module provides comprehensive coverage of wood-frame residential construction from the foundation to the final coat of paint. You will learn how residential foundations are built and waterproofed, how floors, walls, and roofs are framed using platform framing techniques, how windows and doors are properly installed with weather-resistive barriers, how insulation and air sealing create a thermal envelope, how interior finishes transform a framed structure into a livable home, and how the entire residential construction sequence is organized from permit to certificate of occupancy. The techniques covered here form the basis for understanding all light-frame construction, including light commercial buildings, multi-family housing, and mixed-use structures that use similar framing methods.