Article by: Eric Corey Freed
Using Advanced Framing Techniques in Your Home
Traditional Wood Framing Advanced Framing Techniques
2-x-4 wall studs are spaced on center at 16 inches. 2-x-6 wall studs are spaced on center at 24 inches.The larger studs are stronger, so they can be spaced farther apart. The additional thickness of the wall also allows room for additional insulation.2-x-8 floor joists are spaced on center at 16 inches. Use engineered wood I-joists at 24 inches on center for the framing of your floors and roof.The studs and joists now have the same spacing and align to one another.
When two walls meet at a corner, extra studs are placed at each end. These studs are only used as a place to attach the drywall, and these hollow corners create uninsulated voids. Corners are built using two-stud corner framing (where no extra studs are added). Instead of using an entire stud, place a backing strip,called a drywall clip, to use as the spot to connect the drywall.
Additional studs are used to hold the drywall together. Inexpensive drywall clips or scrap lumber hold the joints of two drywall boards together without using an entire wood stud.
Extra wood, called a header, is placed over openings, such as doors and windows. On non-load-bearing walls, a single stud is often enough support over a door or opening.
The wall framing does not align to the floor and roof, even when both are spaced at 16 inches on center. In-line framing (where the floor, wall, and roof framing members are all in line with one another) is used. Because the floor and roof framing now line up with the studs in the walls, the weight is transferred directly from the floor to the wall. By aligning the structure vertically throughout the entire house, it makes the building stronger and more efficient.
The top stud of a wood-framed wall, called the top plate, is doubled up to distribute the structural loads from the roof and floor above.Two studs are used. A single stud is used for the top plate of each wall. (Check with your local building codes to see if this is allowed; it usually doesn’t present any problems.) Connect the joints of the top plates with a galvanized steel plate. These steel plates should be used on the top plate at all the joints, corners, and intersections
The home is designed to some arbitrary dimension, often requiring additional cutting and materials. The home is designed on a 2-foot module to reduce waste and take advantage of the standard size of plywood and sheathing materials
If you’ve never heard of these advanced framing techniques,you probably have some concerns.Here are some common myths surrounding the use of advanced framing techniques.
Myths about Advanced Framing Techniques
Myth FactThe more wood that goes into the frame, the stronger the frame is.
The extra wood only adds to the weight of the frame and tries to make up for the roof and floors not aligning to the walls. Advanced framing techniques will strengthen your home, not weaken it.
The building codes don’t allow for the use of advanced framing techniques.
The building codes support advanced framing techniques because they make buildings stronger and remove redundant wood.
If you use advanced framing techniques, the drywall will bow or buckle, because the boards are only supported every 24 inches instead of every 16 inches.
A good contractor uses quality materials and craftsmanship to prevent the walls from bowing.
Attaching the sheathing and drywall every 16 inches makes the building stronger.
Attaching the sheathing and drywall at only 24 inches actually reduces the stress placed on the panels.
How to Take Advantage of Advanced Framing
Advanced framing techniques already take advantage of traditional wood framing. These improvements to the usual practice of wood framing should be done on every home built out of wood. In fact, there is no downside or reason not to employ these measures.
Tip: Using advanced framing techniques, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) discovered a cost savings of over 12% when compared to traditional wood framing. These methods can potentially reduce the amount of wood by 55%.
In addition to reducing the amount of wood used, follow these other suggestions when designing your green home with advanced framing techniques:
Substitute oriented strand board (OSB) for your exterior sheathing. Select boards made from formaldehyde-free glues. If the sheathing is not required for the structure, use nonstructural insulated boards for extra insulation.
Select finger-jointed studs made from small pieces of wood stitched together to make a full-length stud.
Take advantage of the thicker 2-x-6-inch walls and fill them with insulation above the minimum required amount. (Refer to Chapter 11 for more insulation information.)
Purchase sustainably harvested wood stamped by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Info provided by: Scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com, http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, http://www.ecomii.com/building/advanced-framing
Article supplied by: Eric Corey Freed
Using Advanced Framing Techniques in Your Home
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