Renovation Framing

Renovation framing is the wood structure a remodel needs before drywall: new partition walls, closets, bulkheads, door openings and the framing changes a main-floor or upper-floor renovation calls for. ottawa.ca lists "adding or removing walls, i.e., creating different room sizes and/or uses" as permit work, and that wording covers new walls as well as removed ones, so confirm with Building Code Services before framing starts. Inspections are booked 48 hours ahead, and the City warns that work covered before an inspection may have to be opened up again.

The Building Code sets stud sizes and spacing by what a wall carries, in Table 9.23.10.1. Openings in a wall that carries no load are framed with material the same width as the studs. In a load-bearing wall, an opening wider than the stud spacing needs a lintel designed to carry the loads above; the studs at each side are doubled for a lintel up to 3 m long and tripled for a longer one.

Other trades will run pipes and wires through the new walls. A stud that carries no load keeps at least 40 mm undamaged, a load-bearing stud at least two-thirds of its depth, and a top plate at least 50 mm, unless it is reinforced.

A wall that is moved, not just added, may also be carrying load; that is covered under wall removal. Basement framing is covered on ottawabasements.com.