08-09-2015, 08:48 PM
I still do not think that brace is needed, however it is interesting that it is nested into the double top plate. If it were just a temporary brace you would think it would have just been face nailed on and easily smacked off later. Are the walls sheathed with OSB or something? I see a diagonal wall brace as well indicating that at least originally, the walls were not sheathed with a sheet material. Most likely, the top brace, was a brace that was used after pulling a square on the corners of the tops of the walls. I always just used a level. Pulling a square is a better way to get the walls square at the top but it is pee poor if the thing is square at the top but leaning one way or the other. Then again, maybe it was installed and then left there because there was no roof sheathing originally as Ferg speculates in his last post.
Then again, maybe it is a regional thing to CA. All I know about CA framing is that there is a framing hammer called the California Framer. If they have their own hammer they must have their own framing style. Seriously though it very well could be, Ferg is from CA and Martin either is or will be soon.
I'm not a framing expert but I worked on a framing crew for 2 years. In that time we never even put a brace up like that and I did frame ups involving stick built rafters, trusses, pole barns involving each of those. Studs spaced on 16 and 24. Cheap crap model homes and full custom McMansions and I have never seen the like.
I am just basing my opinions on my own observations too. Expert is a title I will let others grant to whom they see fit. I'm only a self proclaimed expert at eating and sometimes, snacking. The only things I know I am truly an expert at are the things I am reluctant to talk with other people about or lend advice with because usually said people will not take advice and continue to believe their own wrong opinions on the matter. I will usually try at least once more though.
The only real experience I have with the topic at hand is this garage I am building and even have a thread on in this very sub forum. My building inspector did not chide me for not having a lone corner brace anywhere in my building. In fact, and I quote, he said: "This garage is built better than most houses." The reason that is my only real experience is that while working as a house framer, I was never around during the inspection. Since we had to go back to the houses we framed to fix something on occasion, I can only speculate the inspector saw something he did not like. Never once was it a 2x4 corner brace or lack thereof.
Anyone is open to criticizing said garage. Just make sure you are an expert first and then I still probably will not listen.
Sorry to go all Joe on everybody.
Then again, maybe it is a regional thing to CA. All I know about CA framing is that there is a framing hammer called the California Framer. If they have their own hammer they must have their own framing style. Seriously though it very well could be, Ferg is from CA and Martin either is or will be soon.
I'm not a framing expert but I worked on a framing crew for 2 years. In that time we never even put a brace up like that and I did frame ups involving stick built rafters, trusses, pole barns involving each of those. Studs spaced on 16 and 24. Cheap crap model homes and full custom McMansions and I have never seen the like.
I am just basing my opinions on my own observations too. Expert is a title I will let others grant to whom they see fit. I'm only a self proclaimed expert at eating and sometimes, snacking. The only things I know I am truly an expert at are the things I am reluctant to talk with other people about or lend advice with because usually said people will not take advice and continue to believe their own wrong opinions on the matter. I will usually try at least once more though.
The only real experience I have with the topic at hand is this garage I am building and even have a thread on in this very sub forum. My building inspector did not chide me for not having a lone corner brace anywhere in my building. In fact, and I quote, he said: "This garage is built better than most houses." The reason that is my only real experience is that while working as a house framer, I was never around during the inspection. Since we had to go back to the houses we framed to fix something on occasion, I can only speculate the inspector saw something he did not like. Never once was it a 2x4 corner brace or lack thereof.
Anyone is open to criticizing said garage. Just make sure you are an expert first and then I still probably will not listen.
Sorry to go all Joe on everybody.
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When something has to be done, no one knows how to do it. When they "pay" you to do it, they become "experts".
When something has to be done, no one knows how to do it. When they "pay" you to do it, they become "experts".