Sales Construction Training:
Framing and Mechanicals
Step One: Frame Walls and Roof
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Once frame lumber is delivered, the framers will start framing the walls. It depends
on the size of the framing crew and the size of the house but it typically takes a day
to two days to frame the walls.
Once the walls are up and braced, the framers will start on the roof.
On a one story house, the second step is for the framers to lay out the roof trusses,
haul them up to the top plate and stand them up.
On a two story house, the second step is for the framers to install the floor trusses.
The third step is to frame the second story walls and finally the roof trusses.
Once the roof trusses are set and secured, the framers will finish the frame by doing
interior details such arches, niches and half walls.
Once all items on the frame are complete, the cornice crew can start installing the
exterior elements such as siding, exterior trim, etc.
Framers are responsible for sweeping out the house before they leave and leaving it
broom clean.
Step Two: Cornice (Siding/Windows/Roof Decking)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cornice begins when wall and roof framing are complete.
Cornice is what gives a house its “look” or details. Before cornice, a framed house
just looks like a bunch of sticks standing up.
The cornice crew will wrap the house with a sheathing material. We use non-structural
thermoply and in some areas OSB as required by our sheathing plan.
Cornice also includes installing fascia and soffits, installing and flashing windows,
installing siding and installing roof decking.
Thermoply is our moisture barrier for the house and windows must be properly flashed
to prevent window leaks.
In most municipalities, a sheathing inspection has to be passed before siding can be
installed. Once the sheathing inspection has been passed, the cornice crew can install
the siding.
The roof decking material that Buffington Homes uses is called Techshield ½” OSB. This
means that the OSB has an aluminum backing designed to reflect heat to help keep the
attic cooler.
After roof decking is complete, the roof is dried in. That means that the OSB roof
decking is covered with tar paper. The roof must be dried in before mechanical roughs
can start.
Step Three: HVAC Rough
•
•
•
•
•
Once roof is dried in, mechanical roughs can begin.
Typically HVAC is done first but plumbing top-out can also be done first. It does not
matter which is done first but they both must be complete before electrical rough so
that the proper distances for the smoke detectors can be set.
HVAC rough is when all air ducts are run throughout the house in the attic. If the
furnace is located in the attic, it is installed at this time. In addition, the HVAC
contractor runs and sets where the thermostat(s) will go.
After the ducts are run, you can see the where the air registers and air returns are
located.
The refrigerant lines from the furnace to the condenser location are also run at the
HVAC rough.
Step Four: Plumbing Top-Out and Tubs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
After HVAC rough has been completed, plumbing top-out can begin.
Plumbing top-out is when the water lines and drains are run throughout the house. Now
you will see the locations of the sinks, toilets and tubs.
All drains and vents are composed of PVC material.
All water lines are PEX material. PEX is a plastic water line that can be cut to
whatever length that is needed. PEX expands and contracts with changes in temperature.
The PEX material replaced copper lines.
Tub and shower pans are installed at plumbing top-out. They are water tested to make
sure they do not leak.
Water lines are pressurized to make sure fittings or joints are not leaking.
The next step is electrical rough and low voltage wiring.
Step Five: Electrical Rough and Low Voltage
•
•
•
•
•
Wiring for plugs, light switches, light fixtures and appliances is run at electrical
rough.
At this time, you can see where your subpanel box will be in the garage. All wires
terminate at the subpanel breaker box.
Big appliances require bigger, thicker wire which 220V and this wire is run to the
main panel outside the house.
After electrical rough is complete, it is time for low voltage prewire. Low voltage
prewire includes phone, cable and security. The prewire requirements are based on the
Sterling AV plan that buyers create when they meet with Sterling at the end of their
phase 2 design appointment.
Once all the mechanical roughs are done, it is time for the frame and mechanical frame
punch.
Step Six: Frame Punch
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
At frame punch, the Community Construction Manager goes in and finds any deficiencies
in the frame and mechanical roughs.
The house gets marked with spray paint to identify what needs to be fixed.
Checking the details of all parts of the house takes at least an hour. The frame punch
process gives the CCM a better chance of passing city inspections.
The CCM will schedule marked items to be repaired and verify they are done before
scheduling the house for city inspection.
Each municipality is different but some like Pflugerville are much more difficult. The
Pflugerville city inspectors have a rule that once 10 items are found the inspection
stops and we must correct those 10 items. Once the inspector comes back, he will do
the same thing over again. It is possible for this process to occur an average of 3 to
4 times before the city inspector gives the CCM approval to continue with the
construction of the home.
Passing the frame inspection gives the CCM the OK to install the batt insulation. Once
batt insulation has been installed, the insulation inspection must be passed in order
to proceed.
The CCM can start hanging drywall after passing the insulation inspection.