Garage addition project: part 6, roof trusses and framing punch-out

You may notice that your contractor seems to be in a hurry to set the roof trusses on your new building. This is because the space can be considered "weathered in" when the roof framing is complete, and the progress of the project should no longer be affected as much by the weather.

Setting the roof trusses

Larger home additions often have roof trusses that are engineered and manufactured off the job site and delivered on a large truck. If your space is small and one-level, your contractor may elect to set the trusses by hand, but in most cases, a crane is rented to set the trusses in place.

Once the trusses have been secured, the rest of the roof framing can be finished and the roof sheathing installed. Your contractor should install the roof felt as soon as the sheathing is complete, and your home addition is then considered to be "weathered in." The roof felt keeps most water out during a rain, protecting the roof sheathing and sub-floor, and allows the contractors to continue working during poor weather.

The framing punch-out

The framing contractor spends a couple of days finishing up the interior framing after the home addition is "weathered in." When the crews are finished with the framing, a "punch-out" should take place. This is when the contractor or a framing foreman does a thorough examination of the space, checking items:

• All framing nailed properly
• Windows at the correct height and location
• Doors in the correct location
• Bowed lumber repaired or replaced
• All walls are plumb
• All blocking is in and ready for mechanical trades

When the framing punch-out is complete, the contractor should set a time to do a framing walk through with you to double check all framing prior to starting the next phase of construction.