2 questions about wall plates

[catfordbags]

I'm building a 3.5 x 7m shed in my garden. I'm up to the top of the walls - single skin blockwork.

1. is 100mm x 75 mm wall plate the norm ?

2. the top of my wall isn't quite as flat as a snooker table - do i bed my wall plate on a layer of mortar ?

 

[shenks]

100x75 will be fine, and yes you need to lay up a bed of mortar for the wall plate to sit on and achieve your level.

If you are using more than 1 length of timber (i.e. on the 7m walls) then use a halving joint between the two. And use this on the corners too.

Don't forget you have to strap the wallplate - you don't want your roof shifting when the next batch of high winds come knocking on your door.

EDIT: If you need to know about a halving joint (since I don't know your level of knowledge) then take a look at the following http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/joints1.htm

 

[^woody^]

The concept of a wallplate to to form a straight, level surface so that all the rafter cuts and and angles are the same.

You can use 100x25 or 100x50 if you like, but it should be bedded if the wall is not level

Strap it at 2m intervals with 1.2m straps

 

[shenks]

Oops - I forgot to mention the strapping interval and stuff

Thanks for clarifying the bits I missed woody!