Advanced Framing is Environmentally Friendly – Introduction

Advanced framing techniques are growing in popularity for a number of reasons. One of the biggest reasons for the change is the reduced quantity of framing materials and resulting waste needed to build a new home. Advanced framing is therefore a necessary component of building green and protecting the environment.

The basic principals of Advanced Framing Are:

Spacing wall studs at 24 inches on center instead of the traditional 16 inches on center.

Single top plate construction. All floor and roof framing is aligned to transfer loads to the foundation.

No headers in non-load bearing walls.

Eliminate jack studs and use structural metal hangers to support window and door headers.

Use insulated headers instead of solid wood headers at door and window openings.

Try to align window and door openings with the 24″ layout of studs to eliminate the need for extra studs.

Use two stud corners instead of box corners. Use drywall clips or scrap wood for backers in corners.

Use scrap wood backers for interior wall partition backers.

Replace solid dimensional wood headers with engineered lumber headers.

Advanced framing creates a structurally sound building while saving material and waste costs. Energy efficiency in the building is improved significantly by reducing the amount of thermal bridging through the framing materials and increased the total insulated wall area. It’s estimated that advanced framing can save $1000 on a 2400 sq. ft home in material costs, approximately 5% in framing labor and another 5% in heating and cooling costs. Obviously any construction method that saves materials, reduces waste and improves the energy efficiency of a home is certainly considered a green construction technique.

Photo Credit: City of Fort Collins Builder’s Guide to Energy Efficient Home Construction.