Ecological Construction Framing


House

Advanced House Framing Techniques

Advanced house framing, sometimes called Optimum Value Engineering (OVE), refers to a variety of techniques designed to reduce the amount of lumber used and waste generated in the construction of a wood-framed house. These techniques also improve a home's energy efficiency.

Advanced framing techniques create a structurally sound home with lower material and labor costs than a conventionally framed house. Additional construction cost savings result from reduced waste disposal, which also helps the environment.

Advanced framing actually replaces lumber with insulation material and maximizes the wall that's insulated, which improves the whole-wall thermal resistance or R-value.




Four illustrations compare the advanced house framing technique to the standard technique using cross-sections of walls. The first shows how a standard wall corner is constructed using extra exterior corner studs. The second shows how a standard T-wall intersection is constructed using extra studs that create an insulation void at the intersection. The third illustration of an advanced wall corner has a drywall clip to hold the drywall in place and a 2 by 4 turned sideways at the top of the corner to nail siding. The fourth shows how an advanced T-wall has a ladder that spans between the studs at the intersection for attaching drywall. A chart compares Standard and Advanced. For insulation voids, standard is 3%; advanced is 0%. For framing factor, standard is 15 to 25%; advanced is 10 to 15%. For Batt R-value, standard is R-13; advanced is R-13. For Sheathing R-value, standard is R-0.5 to 2.0; advanced is R-2.5. For effective average R-value, standard is R-11.1; advanced is R-14.6 (30% higher).

Depending on the builder, advanced framing techniques can be constructed individually or as a complete package. Fully implementing advanced framing techniques can result in:

  • Materials cost savings of about $500 or $1000 (for a 1,200- and 2,400-square-foot house, respectively)

  • Labor cost savings of between 3 and 5 percent

  • Annual heating and cooling cost savings of up to 5 percent.

It might be difficult to find a builder in your area who's experienced with this type of construction. Some training may be required, and a builder's initial use of these techniques may slow down construction.

When designing an energy-efficient home, you should consider using the whole-house systems approach if you aren't already.



Source: Dept. of Energy


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