Smart choices in framing can save in the overall cost of a new h
In the previous post Idiscussed how to use smart planning to save money when choosing the type offoundation. Most houses these days are built with wood, or "stick-framed.”Once the foundation is solid, it's time to bring in the sticks and startframing. Read on to find out ways a design can affect costs when it comes toframing.
Framing lumber comesin standard lengths designed for ceiling heights that efficiently use wood anddrywall. A plan that utilizes these lengths efficiently is less wasteful and willsave you money. For instance: Drywall comes in 4' and 4 1/2' widths, so8' and 9' ceilings require two sheets each, run horizontally. A 92 5/8"2x4 with two 2x4 top plates and a bottom plate (plates are just 2x4s on theirside) will give you a finished ceiling height of 8' - without cutting anystuds. This means the wall goes up faster and there is less waste - and it iswhy you'll see so many 8' ceilings in modern homes. A plan calling for a 9'9" ceiling means we need to cut every 10' 2x4 that goes into those walls.One strategy would be to save on the 2nd floor where you spend less time, inorder to get the tall ceilings that let light deeper into the house on the 1stfloor where everyone hangs out.
Of course not buildingwalls saves a lot of wood. An open layout like a great room is a good way toavoid building walls - combine several uses into one room and you have lessframing, fewer doors and less drywall corners. Just don't put a huge vaultedceiling on that great room and cancel out your savings. Vaulted spaces are expensiveto frame and to drywall. But remember, don't let saving money force you into abad design. These are tips to keep in mind, but a poorly designed house willneed to be remodeled sooner and that's penny-wise but pound-foolish.
Any house plan can beframed more efficiently if your builder is familiar with smart framingtechniques. If roof rafters are lined upwith wall studs the top plates can be reduced from two to one. Wall studs canoften be spaced at 24" instead of 16". There are many ways to reduce theamount of wood that goes into a wall without compromising the structure. Evenbetter than the upfront savings, a wall with less wood means more insulationcan fit into the wall, so you will save on energy costs. Check with your localbuilding inspector to make sure this is approved in your area.
Though it won't saveyou money, and could even increase the cost of your framing lumber, you shouldconsider the life-cycle cost of the house you're building and try to purchasecertified lumber. FSC and SFI certified lumber is from sustainably managedforests. Life cycle costs consider more than the sticker price of the productswe put into our homes, but also the less tangible costs, like the impact on theenvironment, and whether materials can be recycled down the line when they needto be replaced. The best home is the one we can afford to build withoutunnecessarily harming the planet or future generations.
