On center represents an equally spaced measurement. For
example the floor joist in the picture below are 16 inches on center and
are equally spaced. The most common measurements in the construction
industry are 16 inches on center and 24 inches on center.
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Using A Tape Measure For Layout
If you need to lay out a long wall, you should always use a tape
measure. One time my father was building a large Mini Storage Complex. I
decided to use a custom made layout stick which had three equally spaced
16 inch on center marking blocks that were connected to a stick.
By the time I got to the end of a 20 foot wall, I was off 1/2". This
wasn't going to work, especially on some of the walls that were over 60
feet long. That's when I switched from using the layout stick, to a tape
measure and never went back.
Share Panel Wall, Roof And Floor Layout Tip
Today we need to leave an 1/8 of an inch gap in between our plywood, to
accommodate for lumber expansion. This wasn't a problem 15 years ago,
but it is today. Make sure that you adjust for the 1/8" gap, when laying
out any structural shear walls or floors and roof sheeting.
To accomplish this, you will need to add 1/8 of an inch to every 4 foot
measurement along the wall, floor or roof.
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