The Full Frame. Fig. 19 illustrates the joint forming the basis of construction of the heavier members of a full frame house (Fig. 20) in which every joint is a mortise and tenon joint, a pin being driven through the hole (c, d of Fig. 19), drawing the tenoned timber to its place. Floor joists, studs, tail beams, headers, etc., are mortised and tenoned; in fact, the best work of this form of construction is done without the use of nails, except for rafters and in spiking floor joists and small pieces to their places.

This is the old-fashioned way of framing, and until about 1850 was the method commonly used. A frame of this sort is rarely built now, as the heaviest buildings are of steel, or of the form known as the mill, or slow-burning, construction.