Advanced framing refers to a variety of framing techniques designed to reduce the amount of lumber used and waste generated in the construction of a wood-framed house.
These techniques include:
Designing homes on 2-foot modules to make the best use of dimensional lumber lengths and common sheet sizes and to reduce waste and labor
24 inch on center wall layout plan download
Spacing wall studs 24 inches on-center
Spacing floor joists and roof trusses or rafters up to 24 inches on-center
Using two-stud corner framing and inexpensive drywall clips or scrap lumber for drywall backing instead of studs
Eliminating headers in non-load-bearing walls
Using in-line framing in which floor, wall, and roof framing members are vertically in line with one another and loads are transferred directly downward
Using single lumber headers and top plates when appropriate
Single Header Opening Plan Download
How much extra time and money will Advanced Framing cost?
In the beginning, implementing advanced framing techniques may require training and special attention for framing crews and may incur a modest additional cost for the first house. However, once crews learn the new techniques, advanced framing takes less labor time because fewer framing members are required. Field demonstrations have shown that they can reduce labor and material costs and improve the energy efficiency of homes.
For Example:
Annapolis, Maryland, Habitat for Humanity (PATH Field Evaluation)
- In-line framing used to line up joists and roof
rafters with walls studs to eliminate the need for a double top plate; two-story urban infill home built economically using Habitat for Humanity volunteers - Single top plate construction saved over 16 2”x4”x14’ pieces per unit, valued at roughly $75; added insulation from use of OVE framing, and other energy saving techniques, lead to a home that only used 25.5% of annual utility costs to heat and cool
- Habitat for Humanity building crews were able to quickly learn and implement OVE framing techniques in the field
Victoria, Minnesota, Centex Homes (Building America Research Project*)
- Case study comparing two identical 2,000-s.f. homes using standard wall framing and OVE framing; techniques included single top plates, 24” oc 2x6s, and standardization of window and door openings to match 24” layout
- Installation and material costs were $4,039 for the standard wall framing, $1,927 for the advanced framing system; at the same time, amount of wall that could be insulated increased from 68% to 75% with the advanced framing
- Heating and cooling costs for two homes also showed a savings; the standard framed home had heating and cooling costs of $1,003, while the advanced framed home costs were reduced to $710
(“Advanced Framing Techniques”, Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing; Tool Specs. Accessed 1 April 2009.)
