Stock-length planning
The estimator favors common board lengths up to 16 feet and identifies where long built-up beams require supported, staggered splices.
Opening framing
Door and window rough openings affect stud counts and add preliminary headers, king studs, jack studs and sills.
Hardware allowances
Hangers, rated connector fasteners, rafter ties and preliminary pier-to-beam connectors appear as their own line items.
Follow the load path from floor platform to roof
The 3D framing view lets you inspect piers, built-up beams, flush-hung floor joists, face-mount hangers, wall framing, rafters and loft members as one assembly. When a joist size changes, the preliminary beam rule keeps the beam at least as deep visually so the floor does not show impossible members hanging below a shallower support.
Openings and roof geometry change the framing count
Doors and windows add rough-opening framing such as king studs, jack studs, headers, sills and cripples where the modeled wall system uses them. A-frame and shed-roof geometry also affects rafter lengths and end cuts. Review those relationships in the blueprint and cut-sheet generator, then use the material calculator for quantities.
This is a construction-minded planning calculator, not structural engineering. Span, species, grade, snow and wind loads, bearing, uplift and connector schedules must be verified for the actual project.
Member sizes and connectors are preliminary. Final selection requires local loads, spans, species, grade and connection design.