Building Science .com advanced framing post
Korey Hart
Building Science Insight No. 030
After one hundred and fifty years the Illinois cottage is undergoing
some pretty interesting changes and the ghosts of George Washington
Snow and Augustine Taylor are cautiously eyeing the result.
The current industry standard wall - a 2x4 frame at 16-inch centers
with double top plates, three stud corners, jack studs, cripples and
double headers - is being replaced by a 2x6 frame at 24-inch centers
with single top plates, two stud corners, no jack studs, no cripples
and single headers (and in many cases no headers at all).
It is cheaper and faster to build and saves energy. What is not to
like? It is cheaper because it uses 5 to 10 percent less lumber
(board-feet) and it is faster because it uses 30 percent fewer
pieces. It saves energy because it provides a 60 percent deeper
cavity (which allows 60 percent more cavity insulation) and because it
reduces the framing factor from 25 percent to 15 percent.
The framing elements are farther apart allowing easier installation of
services - everything fits easier making the plumber and tin-basher
happier - the electrician drills fewer holes and the insulator
insulates faster because there are fewer cavities even though the
cavities are wider and deeper. Everything lines up so the load paths
are direct leading to fewer but stronger connections and the lines are
cleaner so it just looks and feels better.
Tastes great - less filling.
Some of the advanced frame technology goes back to the very beginnings
of framing - "in-line" framing or "stack" framing where everything
lines up is not new. [article continues]
To read the entire feature article and find a downloadable PDF
version, click here to visit our web page.
http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-030-advanced-framing
Advanced Framing - 2x6 frame at 24 inch centers with single top
plates, two stud corners, no jack studs, no cripples and single
headers in load bearing walls and no headers in non-load bearing
walls.