What's a Cripple Construction?

In carpentry, the term “cripple” refers to a special-purpose wall stud or roof rafter. ... Cripple studs are non-structural but provide a nailing base for siding or interior wall coverings. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular wall stud layout across the framed opening.

What is the purpose of a cripple in construction?

Cripple walls are the short wood stud walls that enclose a crawl space under the first floor. Cripple walls are used to support a dwelling between the concrete foundation and the floor of a dwelling and to elevate the dwelling above ground to allow access to the utility lines or to level a dwelling built on a slope.

What is a cripple in a house?

Wooden floors and stud walls are sometimes built on top of an exterior foundation to support a house and create a crawl space. These are called cripple walls and they carry the weight of the house. During an earthquake, these walls can collapse if they are not braced to resist horizontal movement.