ReadyFrame Material Calculator

Overview

Calculate precise material quantities for ReadyFrame panelized wall framing systems using standardized formulas that account for the 2/3 ReadyFrame vs 1/3 Loose material division, stud spacing at 0.75 per linear foot, and opening-specific component counts.

Quick Start

For a basic wall calculation, use scripts/calculate_materials.py:

python scripts/calculate_materials.py \
  --wall-length 84.5 \
  --wall-height 104.625 \
  --stud-size 2x6 \
  --spacing 16

For walls with openings, add opening data:

python scripts/calculate_materials.py \
  --wall-length 84.5 \
  --wall-height 104.625 \
  --stud-size 2x6 \
  --spacing 16 \
  --openings '{"type": "window", "width": 36, "height": 48, "count": 2}'

Core Calculation Workflows

1. Basic Wall (No Openings)

Input Required:

• Wall length (linear feet)
• Wall height (inches)
• Stud size (2x4, 2x6, 2x8)
• Stud spacing (16" or 24" O.C.)

Calculation Sequence:

1. Calculate plates using 2/3 rule (see references/formulas.md)
2. Calculate stud count at 0.75 per LF for 16" O.C.
3. Determine lumber grades (No.2 for ReadyFrame, DF Stud for Loose)
4. Optimize stock lengths

Formula:

• ReadyFrame Plates LF = 2 × Wall LF
• Loose Top Plate LF = 1 × Wall LF
• Stud Count = 0.75 × Wall LF (for 16" O.C.)

2. Wall with Openings

Input Required:

• All basic wall inputs, plus:
• Opening type (window, door, etc.)
• Opening dimensions (width × height)
• Opening count

Calculation Sequence:

1. Calculate basic wall materials
2. Adjust stud count for openings (−1 stud per ~4' opening + 2 kings per opening)
3. Calculate trimmers (see references/trimmer_specs.md for rules)
4. Calculate headers based on span
5. Calculate cripples (sill and header)
6. Add pads/fillers as needed

Opening Component Formulas:

• Standard windows: 2 trimmers per opening
• Wide windows (>5'): 2 + 2×FLOOR((Width−5)/5)
• Mulled units: Number of units + 1
• Bay windows: 2 + 2×(Sections−1)

3. Multi-Panel Wall Assembly

Input Required:

• Individual panel data (dimensions, openings)
• Panel naming scheme (E-series, P-series, G-series)

Calculation Sequence:

1. Calculate each panel independently
2. Sum materials by category (ReadyFrame vs Loose)
3. Aggregate by lumber grade and size
4. Optimize stock length packaging
5. Generate panel-specific cutting lists

Use: scripts/batch_calculate.py for multi-panel assemblies

Material Categories

ReadyFrame (Precut) - 67% of Materials

• Bottom plates (cut to panel length)
• First/inner top plates (cut to panel length)
• Jack studs/trimmers (cut to exact opening heights)
• Headers (2-ply, sized per opening)
• Window sills and sill cripples
• Header cripples
• Pads and fillers
• Specialty blocking
• Grade: No.2 lumber

Loose - 33% of Materials

• Third/outer top plate (16' lengths for field lapping)
• All full-length studs (common, king, critical)
• Flat studs (if full-length)
• Grade: DF Stud lumber

Lumber Specifications

Standard Dimensions

• Main floor stud length: 104-5/8" (8'-8 5/8")
• Upper floor stud length: 92-5/8" (7'-8 5/8")
• Plate widths: 2x4 (3-1/2"), 2x6 (5-1/2"), 2x8 (7-1/4")

Stock Lengths (ReadyFrame Components)

2', 4', 6', 8', 10', 12', 14', 16', 20'

Lumber Grades

• No.2 grade: All ReadyFrame precut components
• DF Stud grade: All Loose full-length studs

For complete specifications, see references/lumber_specs.md

Special Calculations

Trimmer Heights

Trimmer Height = Wall Height − (Floor to Sill Distance + Window Height + Header Depth)

Header Sizing

• Consult references/header_sizing.md for span tables
• Default: 2-ply headers for residential
• Upgrade to LVL for spans >6'

Stock Length Optimization

# Example: Optimize 12.5 LF of bottom plate
12.5 LF → 1×12' + 1×2' (from stock lengths)
# Or use scripts/optimize_stock.py

Validation Checks

After calculating materials, verify:

1. Plate Ratio Check: ReadyFrame:Loose ≈ 2:1
2. Stud Density Check: ~0.75 studs per LF for 16" O.C.
3. Opening Component Check: 2 kings + 2 trimmers minimum per opening
4. Grade Assignment Check: Full-length = DF Stud, Cut-to-size = No.2

Run scripts/validate_takeoff.py for automated validation.

Common Patterns

Example 1: 84.5 LF Wall, 104-5/8" Height, No Openings

ReadyFrame Plates: 169 LF (2 × 84.5)
Loose Top Plate: 84.5 LF (1 × 84.5) → 6 sticks of 16'
Studs: 64 (0.75 × 84.5, rounded up)

Example 2: 30 LF Wall with 3'×4' Window

ReadyFrame Plates: 60 LF (2 × 30)
Loose Top Plate: 30 LF → 2 sticks of 16'
Studs: 23 (base) − 1 (opening) + 2 (kings) = 24
Trimmers: 2 (standard window)
Header: 1×4' (2-ply 2x6)
Sill: 1×4'
Cripples: 2 above header, 2 below sill

Example 3: Mulled Triple Window Unit

Opening: Three 3' windows side-by-side (9' total span)
Trimmers: 4 (3 units + 1)
Headers: May require LVL for 9' span
Kings: 2 (terminal ends only)

Resources

scripts/

• calculate_materials.py - Main calculation engine
• batch_calculate.py - Multi-panel batch processor
• optimize_stock.py - Stock length optimizer
• validate_takeoff.py - Quality assurance validator

references/

• formulas.md - Complete calculation formulas with examples
• trimmer_specs.md - Trimmer specifications by window type
• lumber_specs.md - Lumber grades, dimensions, and stock lengths
• header_sizing.md - Header span tables and sizing guide
• material_rules.md - ReadyFrame vs Loose categorization rules

assets/

• No assets needed for this skill