Calculate timber framing quantities for NZ wall, floor, and roof framing — studs, top plates, nogs, and lintels.
Wall Framing Materials
Studs
Top & bottom plates
Noggings (1 row @ 1.2m)
Total lineal metres
Material cost estimate
Floor Framing Materials
Joists
Rim joists / bearers
Blocking pieces
Total lineal metres
Sheet flooring (m²)
Material cost estimate
Timber Framing in NZ
NZ uses NZS 3604 (Timber-framed buildings) as the primary standard for residential construction. Most framing uses H1.2 treated radiata pine (formerly CCA, now usually H1.2 boron treatment).
Standard Wall Frame Specs
Studs: 90×45mm @ 600mm centres (or 400mm for bracing walls)
Top plate: 90×45mm × 2 (double top plate)
Bottom plate: 90×45mm × 1
Noggings: 90×45mm @ mid-height (approx 1.2m)
Lintels: Sized by span and load — always check NZS 3604 tables
A standard NZ 90×45 mm wall frame at 600 mm stud centres uses approximately 1.7 linear metres of timber per m² of wall (top plate, bottom plate, studs, and nogs). Add 15% for waste and lintels.
NZS 3604 is the NZ Standard for light timber framing. It provides prescriptive design rules for residential and small commercial buildings without requiring a structural engineer — provided the building falls within defined limits of scope.
Internal wall framing requires H1.2 borate-treated timber in NZ (per NZS 3602). Exterior walls, floors on ground, and wet areas require H3.1 or H3.2. Ground contact requires H4 or higher.
Number of studs = (wall length ÷ stud spacing) + 1, for a plain wall. Add extra studs for: corners (3 studs), T-junctions (3 studs), both sides of each door or window opening, plus trimmers and jack studs for each opening.