- Lumber cut for Vertical Use:
- Lumber cut for Diagonal Use:
Planks:
Planks, as shown in Figure 5, are generally 2 inches thick, but could also be 3 or 4 inches thick. Planks are used as flooring, roofing and decking, directly over and supported by rafters, joists, beams and girders.
Figure 5 - Planks
Posts:
Posts, as shown in Figure 6, are vertical supports, usually short.
Columns:
Columns, as shown in Figure 6, are vertical supports, longer than posts and are used to transfer horizontal loads down to the foundations.
Studs:
Studs, as shown in Figure 6, are actually mini-columns. Studs are a series of slender structural members placed at small, regular intervals, as the supporting elements in load-bearing wood walls and partitions.
Figure 6 - Post, column & stud
Additional information on working with studs.
Bracing:
Bracing, as shown in Figure 7, is a piece of lumber applied to the frame on the diagonal to stiffen the structure. In modern construction this bracing is often replaced by use of plywood sheathing.
Figure 7 - Brasing
Bridging:
Bridging, as shown in Figure 8, is used in an “X” pattern between the joists to stiffen the floor. It can also be a solid piece of lumber the same dimensions as the floor joists.
Figure 8 - Floor joist cross bridging
Additional information on floor joist bridging.