Totally agree on double-checking layouts, but I'm curious—are you also measuring diagonals when you're laying out your walls? I've seen guys skip that step, thinking it's overkill, only to end up scratching their heads later when things don't line up. And are you framing directly on the slab or subfloor, or building walls flat and then raising them? That can make a difference too...at least, from what I've seen.
Measuring diagonals is helpful, sure, but honestly, if your plates are cut accurately and your layout lines are spot-on, diagonal checks can sometimes feel redundant. I've framed plenty of walls flat on the subfloor, squared them up carefully, and raised them without issues. The real trick is making sure your lumber isn't warped or twisted—no amount of diagonal measuring fixes bad lumber. I'd focus more on hand-picking straight studs and plates first...saves headaches later.
Totally agree with you on hand-picking lumber. A few things I've noticed from my own experience:
- Straight studs and plates are definitely key. I've seen beautifully measured walls go wonky because someone grabbed a twisted stud halfway through framing. It’s worth the extra 10 minutes at the lumberyard to sort through the stack.
- Another thing that helps is how you store your lumber once it's onsite. Even good lumber can warp if it sits around in damp conditions or unevenly stacked. I usually try to keep mine stacked flat and covered, off the ground, until I'm ready to use it.
- Diagonal measuring can feel redundant, true—but I still like to do a quick check anyway, especially on longer walls or larger rooms. It’s more of a reassurance thing than anything else. Sometimes even the smallest shift can throw off your finishes later (ask me how I know...).
- Speaking of finishes, if you're planning any detailed trim work or built-ins later on, even minor framing inaccuracies can cause headaches down the road. As an interior designer, I've had projects where the framers skipped double-checking diagonals, and it meant extra shimming and fussing when we got to cabinetry and molding installation.
- One last thought—sometimes it's not just about lumber quality but also about technique. I've watched experienced framers tweak slightly warped studs into alignment by strategically placing nails or screws. Not ideal, but it can save a piece of lumber that’s borderline.
Anyway, sounds like you've got your system down pretty solidly already. Just thought I'd toss out a few extra insights from my perspective!
Couldn't agree more about storage—seen plenty of good lumber ruined by careless stacking. One thing I'd add is checking your framing layout carefully before nailing. Marking stud locations clearly saves headaches later, especially when drywalling or installing fixtures... learned that the hard way.
Good points about marking studs—definitely saves trouble later. But I'm curious, does lumber quality itself make a noticeable difference in keeping walls straight? I've heard mixed opinions... some say premium lumber is worth every penny, others insist careful framing technique matters more. Just started my first custom build, and honestly, it's tough deciding where to spend extra money. Any thoughts from experience?
