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A sill plate or sole plate in construction and architecture is the bottom horizontal member of a wall or building to which vertical members are attached. Other names are ground plate, ground sill, groundsel, and midnight sill.
What is a sill plate and its purpose?
In most homes, the sill plate is the first piece of wood in the entire house. The purpose of this element is to keep the house to the foundation.
Is the sill plate part of the foundation?
The sill plate is made with wood lumber—usually 2 x 6 or larger—laid face-down on top of the masonry foundation wall. Together, the sill plates run along the entire foundation. The first-floor frame is built on top of, and anchored into, the sill plates.
Is a sill plate necessary?
The sill plate is an essential part of any building structure because it serves the purpose of making an even and flat surface on which to build the framing for construction projects. It’s never a good idea to mount them directly onto a foundation without a sill plate.
What goes between sill plate and foundation?
The best way to air seal the sill plate is to place a sill sealer (also called a sill gasket) on the concrete before laying the sill plate over the foundation. A sill seal product that covers the whole sill plate area is preferable because of its waterproofing capability and inherent uniformity.
What can I use for a sill plate?
Sill Plate is a tough, versatile pressure-treated lumber. Like borate-treated lumber, it’s guaranteed to stop termites and prevent decay, plus it’s compatible with carbon steel (black iron) fasteners. But unlike borate-treated lumber, it requires no special handling.
Should sill plate be flushed foundation?
Sills can be placed flush with the foundation wall, set back slightly, or even overhang slightly depending on the exterior surface material (check local codes for the amount of overhang allowed). Anchors must be placed between 4″ and 12″ from the end of the sill plates and not farther than 6′ apart elsewhere.
Whats the difference between a sole plate and a sill plate?
The sole plate, also sometimes referred to as the sill plate, the mud sill, or the base plate, is the main supporting beam of a wall in the construction industry. Typically, these are the first piece of wood that is in contact with the masonry of the basement or foundation.
How do you keep water from going under a sill plate?
A filler, similar to caulk, is generally used to seal these gaps between the sill plate and foundation when the home is constructed. Over time it can crack and chip, allowing water to seep — or even pour — into the basement.
Do I need pressure treated wood for sill plate?
1 requires treated lumber for “framing members that rest on concrete exterior foundation walls and that are less than 8 inches from exposed ground.” This item doesn’t refer to a “sill” directly, but it does refer to an exterior foundation wall.
How much does it cost to replace a foundation sill?
Sill Plate Replacement Cost Comparison STILL PLATE REPLACEMENT COST COMPARISON Repair/replace rotted or damaged joist $100 – $250 ea. Underpin corner of building $1,100 – $1,300 ea. Underpin/replace foundation $500 plf & up Underpin/align masonry chimney $2,500 – $3,000.
What goes on top of the sill plate?
Plates are horizontal members of the wall connected by studs. Bottom Plates are used to connect the wall to the floor. Top Plates support the floor above. Sill Plates support windows and sit on top of cripple studs.
Is sill seal waterproof?
Sill sealers self-adhesive – easy application – weatherproof. Combination of 3/8 inches closed cell polyethylene foam with an aggressive self adhesive waterproofing membrane. Conforms and seals off the voids and irregularities between the top of the foundations and sill plate.
How thick is a sill plate?
1 Bottom Plates. Studs shall have full bearing on a 2-inch-thick (actual 11/2-inch, 38 mm) or larger plate or sill having a width not less than equal to the width of the studs.
Do floor joists sit on the sill plate?
While your mileage may vary, a sill plate is generally the 2 x that sits on the top of the foundation wall. Your floor joists/rim joists sit on top of the sill plate. On top of the joists, is your subfloor. The bottom plate for your walls are on top of the subfloor.
Should you insulate sill plate?
It is important to also seal and insulate the top of the concrete wall where the sill plate sits. It’s the simplest and least expensive basement area to insulate, and will bring the highest return on your investment.
What R value should I use for my crawl space?
Crawl spaces should have their floors uninsulated, ground fog and air sealed, walls insulated and air-conditioned with indoor air. You may find no insulation at all if your home is built before 1990. The U.S. Dept. of Energy currently suggests insulation with an R-value of at least R-9 in floors.
How far can a sill plate overhang?
Consult with engineered lumber providers to get acceptable installations. Notes: 1. Sill plate overhang limited to ½ the nominal thickness when rim joist is resting on outer edge.
How do you secure a sill plate to concrete?
How to Attach Sill Plates to Concrete Position the sill plate in place on the concrete slab or foundation. Drill holes through both the sill plate and into the concrete, using a concrete masonry drill-bit. Insert one wedge anchor bolt set into each drilled hole and hammer it into place with a hammer.
