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Bottom plates

Bottom plates are provided along the full length of all walls except at door openings. The bottom plate is the lowest member of the wall frame and is attached directly to the floor system.

Where a stud lands immediately over a floor joist, the bottom plate may be the same section as the common stud.

Diagram from the Timber Promotion Council's Timber Framing Manual (revised February 1994) showing solid blocking/bridging beneath the bottom plate below a stud or studs carrying major load.

Where a stud does not land immediately over a floor joist, the bottom plate needs to be blocked between the floor joists. Alternatively, an additional bottom plate may be installed.