Home

Top plate

Diagram showing the concentration of a load acting downwards onto a top plate. Below the top plate there is intermediate vertical blocking minimum size as for common studs, with two nails at each joint.Top plates are built along the full length of all walls, including over openings.

Where roof trusses or rafters land on top plates directly above a stud, the top plate may be the same section as the stud. Where roof trusses or rafters do not land directly over a stud, the top plate needs to be reinforced with blocking. Alternatively an additional top plate may be installed.