Green Homes—Advanced Framing Techniques

techniques to advanced framing. “It’s not a difficult thing but it’s just enough different that we’ve heard people say ‘Never done that and don’t know if I want to,’ " says Ferrier, who was named Green Building Advocate of the Year in 2007 by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“Studs 24 inches on center instead of 16, single top plate instead of double top plates, no headers on non-load-bearing walls—the differences are subtle,” but they add up, Ferrier says. For example, instead of two smaller headers, advanced framing would place one larger header that would allow for up to two inches of foam insulation that can increase R-value from 1.5 to 7.5.

 

Cost and Energy Savings

Kevin Morrow, NAHB program manager for green building standards, says the organization is doing all it can to increase builder education in all levels of green building. He suggests consumers look for a builder with the NAHB designation as certified green professional to ensure they are schooled in innovative techniques such as advanced framing.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced framing not only means the saving of resources, it also means savings for the homeowner. It estimates materials cost savings of $500 for a 1,200-square-foot house and $1,000 for a 2,400-square-foot house—a labor savings of three to five percent and heating and cooling costs savings up to five percent. The NRDC has estimated that using advanced framing techniques can reduce framing costs as much as $1.20 per square foot and reduce the amount of wood used for framing by 11 to 19 percent.

Here are several concepts to keep in mind when planning to use advanced framing on a project:

1. Consider designing a home or remodeling project based on 24-inch modules. It makes the most efficient use of such building materials as framing lumber, wood sheathing, drywall, and trim that are typically stocked in two-foot dimensions.
2. Consider how just one area, an exterior corner, can be changed with advanced framing. With advanced framing, insulation can be added in a commonly uninsulated area, an installed drywall clip can accommodate drywall and one less stud is used.
3. Check with local codes first. Some advanced framing techniques may not be suitable for areas with high wind or seismic activity.
4. Familiarize yourself with advanced framing and other green concepts before you start planning your home building or remodeling project. Section 2.1.2 of the NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines details some advanced framing techniques.