Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

What construction feature is commonly found beneath wooden door and window frames?

1. Sill plate

2. Cripple

3. Band board

4. Top plate

The correct answer is: Cripple

The construction feature that is commonly found beneath wooden door and window frames is the cripple. Cripples are short vertical framing members that support the header above a door or window and are typically located between the top of the opening and the bottom of the header. They play a crucial role in providing structural support and distributing loads above the opening down to the framing below. In the context of door and window installations, cripples are essential as they help maintain the integrity of the wall system and provide a solid structure for the door or window frames to be anchored securely. Their presence helps prevent sagging or movement in the frames, which could lead to operational issues with the doors or windows over time. The other options, while they are indeed components of framing and construction, do not specifically describe the feature located directly beneath wooden door and window frames. For instance, the sill plate is the bottom horizontal member of a wall, the band board usually connects the ends of floor joists, and the top plate is positioned at the top of the stud wall, all of which serve different functions in a structure.