uj

"unclescrooge"

09/06/2006 10:09 PM

dumb question but i gotta ask...

hi again,

okay...i've heard the terms "on center" kicked around a lot lately.

what does that mean?

i mean terms like "18" on center" or 24" on center.

does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
the next board?


This topic has 8 replies

uj

"unclescrooge"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

16/06/2006 11:49 AM


CW wrote:
> Unless you are measuring something of two different widths.
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> > >
> > >does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
> > >the next board?
> > >
> >
> > Or measure from left side of stud to left side of next stud. (If
> > your left handed measure from the right)

thanks everyone...i was asking because i need to put a header up
against the back of my house so i can build the cover for the patio.

i've got the support beams in front figured out...it was where to drill
the holes for the header for my joist hangers that was tripping me up.

thanks!

Dd

"Dukester"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

13/06/2006 8:47 AM

"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "unclescrooge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> hi again,
>>
>> okay...i've heard the terms "on center" kicked around a lot lately.
>>
>> what does that mean?
>>
>
> Exactly. Normally referenced when doing construction site measuring.
> Studs are typically spaced 16" on center apart.

This immediately brings to mind when I built my first shed and did the
typical blocking up of 3 2x4 studs in the corners. Never having built such
a structure (and not using plans) I was "green" to how the building goes
together. I knew the studs would be 16" OC along the wall, but did not
realize you measure 16" OC from the *first* stud, not the last one. So I
ended up with some crazy cutting of the top plates, exterior siding and
interior paneling. Was a tremendous hassle, but I made it work. Just one
of those things when you look back on it and go "D'oh, how could I have done
that?!" Live & learn.

Cheers!
Dukester

c

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

10/06/2006 7:57 PM


>
>does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
>the next board?
>

Or measure from left side of stud to left side of next stud. (If
your left handed measure from the right)

Pn

Prometheus

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

10/06/2006 12:35 AM

On 9 Jun 2006 22:09:17 -0700, "unclescrooge" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>hi again,
>
>okay...i've heard the terms "on center" kicked around a lot lately.
>
>what does that mean?
>
>i mean terms like "18" on center" or 24" on center.
>
>does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
>the next board?

That's exactly what it means. Commonly used in framing, when 16" on
center translates into a 14.5" empty space between studs. It's done
that way (in framing) so that the joints between sheets of drywall or
sheathing meet in the center of a stud, to allow for 3/4" of nailing
space for each sheet on the edges.

16" on center for walls, 24" on center for most floors and roof
trusses.

As far as what it may mean on any given ww'ing project, the thinking
may vary a bit (most likely to identify where fasteners should be
placed to avoid missing with a nail gun or screws), but the concept
remains the same.

Hope this helps- the only stupid question is the one you're afraid to
ask.

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

10/06/2006 8:30 PM

Unless you are measuring something of two different widths.

<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
> >
> >does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
> >the next board?
> >
>
> Or measure from left side of stud to left side of next stud. (If
> your left handed measure from the right)

Cc

"CW"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

10/06/2006 5:56 AM


"unclescrooge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hi again,
>
> okay...i've heard the terms "on center" kicked around a lot lately.
>
> what does that mean?
>
> i mean terms like "18" on center" or 24" on center.
>
> does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
> the next board?
>
Yep.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

10/06/2006 5:27 AM


"unclescrooge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hi again,
>
> okay...i've heard the terms "on center" kicked around a lot lately.
>
> what does that mean?
>
> i mean terms like "18" on center" or 24" on center.
>
> does that mean to measure from the center of the board to the center of
> the next board?
>

Exactly. Normally referenced when doing construction site measuring. Studs
are typically spaced 16" on center apart.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "unclescrooge" on 09/06/2006 10:09 PM

13/06/2006 3:31 PM


"Dukester" <[email protected]> wrote in message >
> This immediately brings to mind when I built my first shed and did the
> typical blocking up of 3 2x4 studs in the corners. Never having built
> such a structure (and not using plans) I was "green" to how the building
> goes together. I knew the studs would be 16" OC along the wall, but did
> not realize you measure 16" OC from the *first* stud, not the last one.
> So I ended up with some crazy cutting of the top plates, exterior siding
> and interior paneling. Was a tremendous hassle, but I made it work. Just
> one of those things when you look back on it and go "D'oh, how could I
> have done that?!" Live & learn.
>
> Cheers!
> Dukester
Live and learn.

I built a bake yard storage building a couple of years ago. Fortunately my
architectural drafting education many years ago came in to play during the
design stage.


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