Which statement correctly describes the notch depth in exterior or bearing wall studs?

Which statement correctly describes the notch depth in exterior or bearing wall studs?

• A. Notch depth may be up to 25% of stud width
• B. Notch depth may be up to 50% of stud width
• C. Notch depth may be up to 10% of stud width
• D. Notch depth may be up to 15% of stud width

Answer: (A)

Notching a stud reduces its cross‑section, which weakens its ability to carry vertical loads and resist lateral forces. For exterior or bearing walls, the limit is a notch depth of 25% of the stud’s width, so you should not remove more than a quarter of the stud’s width. This keeps enough wood to maintain strength under load. For a typical stud that’s about 1.5 inches wide, that means a notch no deeper than about 3/8 inch. If you need to pass pipes or wiring, it’s better to drill holes or use appropriate reinforcement instead of making a deeper notch. The 25% limit is the standard that keeps exterior and bearing studs adequately strong; deeper notches would compromise safety and code compliance.

Notching a stud reduces its cross‑section, which weakens its ability to carry vertical loads and resist lateral forces. For exterior or bearing walls, the limit is a notch depth of 25% of the stud’s width, so you should not remove more than a quarter of the stud’s width. This keeps enough wood to maintain strength under load. For a typical stud that’s about 1.5 inches wide, that means a notch no deeper than about 3/8 inch. If you need to pass pipes or wiring, it’s better to drill holes or use appropriate reinforcement instead of making a deeper notch. The 25% limit is the standard that keeps exterior and bearing studs adequately strong; deeper notches would compromise safety and code compliance.