ADVANCED FRAMING

Considerations:

Advanced Framing is a collection of techniques to reduce construction waste and the lumber required for wood-framed houses, while increasing energy efficiency and simplifying framing layout. Common techniques include:

• Framing with 2x6 studs on 24” centers (in lieu of 2x4 on 16” centers) and two-stud corners.
• Stacking roof rafters directly over studs and floor members, to transfer loads directly downward.
• Using single top plates, single-studs around windows, and eliminating window cripples.
• Framed-in and insulated headers in lieu of solid dimensional lumber.
• Use of prefabricated trusses or wall-units
• Designing on 2-foot or 4-foot modules (i.e. 24” or 48” grids) optimized for common lumber and sheet sizes, reducing waste, minimizing cutting, and reducing labor cost.
• Use of drywall clips or scrap lumber for drywall backing, rather than studs.

Advantages:

• Structurally sound homes can be built with lower construction costs for materials and labor, as well as reduced ongoing energy costs than with conventional framing.
• Reducing waste and material requirements saves natural resources.
• Using single top plates, single-studs around windows, and eliminating window cripples.
• Enhances insulation (whole-wall R-value) in three ways: insulated wall area is maximized, deeper wall cavity allows thicker insulation, and thermal bridging (conduction of heat through framing) is reduced.
• Sustainability can be further enhanced with FSC certified dimensional lumber.

Challenges/Disadvantages:

• Design for 2x6 construction and other techniques must be considered early in the design process.
• Contractors may be unfamiliar with some techniques, requiring extra training or consultation with experienced installers.
• Installing drywall clips can be more labor-intensive than nailers.
• Techniques may leave little tolerance for stud grade, and are therefore not be amenable to structural use of salvaged wood in most cases.
• When windows and doors occupy more than 10 percent of wall area, 2x6 24” OC framing may require as much lumber as conventional framing.
• While wood-efficient, advanced framing is nonetheless wood-intensive - alternative structural technologies such as strawbale, high-recycled content steel framing with thermal breaks, and earthen materials place fewer demands on our forest resources as can structural insulated panels.

Summary: Advanced Framing

The extraction, manufacture, transport, and disposal of lumber deplete resources, damage natural habitats, and pollute air and water. Dimensional lumber depends upon larger trees that require decades to mature. Conventional framing can often be structurally redundant, using wood unnecessarily for convenience and reducing insulation. Advanced framing techniques provide a means to reduce environmental impacts in the construction of quality, structurally sound wood-framed homes. According to the US Department of Energy's Office of Building Technology, advanced framing techniques can save $500 in material costs per 1200 square feet of house, shave 3 to 5 percent off of labor costs, and reduce annual heating and cooling costs by 5 percent.

This document is not a technical design guideline. Consult the resources below for appropriate technical information.

For More Information: