What is top plate in construction?

The top plate caps a stud wall and distributes loads from joists, rafters, or trusses bearing on the wall down into the studs. In conventional light-frame construction the top plate is doubled (a double top plate): two stacked 2x members of the same width as the studs, 2x4 or 2x6. The double plate does real work. It laps and overlaps at corners and wall intersections to tie the framing into a continuous ring, and the upper plate breaks its joints away from the lower plate so the wall acts as one element. Where joists or trusses do not land directly over a stud, the double plate also lets the load bridge to the nearest studs. Single top plates are allowed only in limited cases where framing above stacks directly over the studs and the code conditions are met. For takeoff you treat the double top plate as two times the wall length, then add stock for the required laps at corners and tees.

Measure total wall length in linear feet off the framing plan for every wall that gets a double top plate. Multiply by 2 for the two plate courses. Add a lap allowance for the overlaps at corners and intersections, commonly figured at roughly 5 percent or by counting actual laps at the standard minimum lap length. Plate stock is bought in standard lengths (16 ft is common), so divide the total linear feet by the stock length and round up to whole pieces. Match the plate width (2x4 or 2x6) to the studs. Report as linear feet and as a piece count by length.

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