Green from the Ground UpSee Chapter 5 on Framing in the Green from the Ground Up book for more details.

Green Framing Resource

Framing is the skeleton of a home. Wood is one of the best suited and most renewable materials used in construction. With new advances in framing, projects can now use less wood, resources and save money at the same time.

Green Framers’ Transition Guide

1. Frame new walls with advanced framing techniques

Benefit

Reduces lumber by placing truss and exterior wall framing at 24” O.C.

Process

Consult with the structural engineer for applicability in your jurisdiction. Typically advanced framing includes:

  • 2x6 on 24” centers

  • 2-stud corners

  • Ladder blocking for partition walls

  • Stacked loads from trusses down to foundation

  • Always use double top plates

Details/ Materials

Uses up to 20% less material while still maintaining structural integrity.

2. No headers in non structural walls

Benefit

Reduced labor and lumber waste

Process

Header dispersers load to prevent strain on a window or door. If there is no load, there is no need for a header.

Details/ Materials

Use flat-framed 2x headers similar to interior non-load bearing framing

3.  Built wall corners using two studs

Benefit

A two stud corner leaves more room for insulation and helps reduce thermal bridging. It also uses less lumber.

Process

Drywall can be attached using drywall clips

Details/ Materials

  Three studs may be necessary for some siding applications

4. Use FSC and finger-jointed lumber when available

Benefit

FSC wood comes from sustainably managed forests that replant trees that are cut down. Finger-jointed studs utilize shorter lengths of wood that are joined together

Process

Finger-jointed studs are straighter, and easier to work with

Details/ Materials

Contact your local lumberyard and ask for FSC lumber or Finger-jointed studs.

5. Use microlams, gluelams, LVLs and other engineered lumber

Benefit

There are fewer old-growth forests to supply large dimensional lumber. These engineered products are more environmentally friendly, stronger and straighter.

Process

Engineered lumber is installed in the same way as conventional lumber.

Details/ Materials

These materials are readily available and are similar in price to dimensional lumber. Solid-sawn lumber greater than 2x8 is typically milled from old-growth trees.

6. Consider using steel studs for interior walls

Benefit

Steel studs are perfectly straight and easy to install

Process

Nailed in place similar to wood studs or screwed into steel C channel. Not to be used in exterior walls due to thermal bridging.

Details/ Materials

Readily available and are similar in price to dimensional lumber.

7. Recycle wood, cardboard and metal on site

Benefit

 Recycling is cheaper or free in some areas than paying dump fees. Keeping these materials out of landfills is very important. Recycling will set you apart from your competitors as a green builder.

Process

Have three labeled recycling bins set up beside your trash dumpster.

Details/ Materials

Your city may have a recycling program already in place. If not purchase your own bins for this purpose.

8. Place bins on site to gather and reuse cut studs

Benefit

This system will waste less lumber than cutting a new stud each time a shorter piece of lumber is needed.

Process

A simple system of small, medium and large will easily catch on with workers.

Details/ Materials

This will cut lumber costs and cut down on wood construction waste.

“How will “Going Green” make me more money?”

Green is not simply getting more respect; it is rapidly becoming a necessity as corporations—as well as home builders, retailers, health care institutions, governments, and others—push green buildings fully into the mainstream over the next five to ten years. Customers need help with this difficult project and will look to you as an expert to show them what needs to be done.

“I thought green was just for Treehuggers.”

Green Homes no longer look like they did in the 70’s. They now look normal and very diverse. Professionals who would not consider themselves “greenies” are adopting green practices. People can now see the real benefit of these practices and want to implement them in their own lives.

“How will I talk to my customers about my green practices?”

A home should be built to last a lifetime. This challenges framers to use good building techniques. If the home is stick framed, consult with the structural engineer and architect to implement advanced framing techniques which will use less lumber.
Consider steel studs for interior walls, but not for exterior walls.
Price a project using SIPS. SIPS cost more upfront, but significantly cut construction time which will save the client money.
I-Joists are straighter and stronger than 2x8’s and make an excellent floor framing material.

“Why should I care about the environment?”

Using less lumber on a jobsite saves you and the client money.
Old growth forest are being cut down at an alarming rate, these trees may take another 100 years to replace.
Framing determines the amount and type of insulation that can be used and insulation is the cornerstone of energy conservation.

“What kind of training am I going to give my team?”

- Greenbuilding.com has a team of green building specialists. One of our trainers can come to your business to train your team.
- We have framing specialists.
- We can provide a one-day training to get your team ready to transition to green. This training will include marketing your business as green.

“What should I do first?”

- Read our Green Framers’ Transition Guide below.
- Our guide is organized with the easiest changes listed first and those that may take longer listed last.

 

Click on the link below for a print friendly version to take with you to the jobsite. Post for for your crew to know more about green building practices and technologies.

 

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