Cripple Studs

A wood wall framing member that is shorter than full-length studs because it is interrupted by a header or sill, for example, studs above a door or below a window. A spacer between horizontal wood members.

Purpose

Cripple studs provide additional support and structural integrity to walls, especially around openings like doors and windows. They transfer loads from the top plate to the sill or bottom plate, ensuring stability and strength in the framed wall.

Examples of Use

1. Installing cripple studs above a door frame to support the header and distribute the load to the surrounding wall.
2. Using cripple studs below a window sill to provide support and maintain the structural integrity of the wall.
3. Adding cripple studs in a framed wall to fill gaps between horizontal members and maintain even spacing.

Related Terms

• Header: A horizontal structural member above an opening, such as a door or window, that distributes the load to the sides of the opening.
• Sill: A horizontal member at the bottom of a window or door opening, providing support for the structure above.
• King Stud: A full-length stud located on either side of a header or sill, providing additional support for the framed opening.

Notes

Cripple studs are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of framed walls, especially around openings. They should be properly sized and installed to ensure effective load distribution.