Picture Prefect: House Framing Facts

A house's frame is what keeps it from falling down. It is composed of beams that are joined together to form the "bones" of the structure. While a solid frame with a good foundation can keep a house up for centuries, a faulty frame or weak foundation can bring it tumbling down in no time at all.

Building Code
Building code is one of the reasons why we don't often see houses tumble down. It is a set of rules in place to ensure that any large structure follows basic principles of engineering. Any kind of house framing must adhere to these codes.

House Framing Materials
While many commercial buildings are framed using metal, most house framing is done with wood. Wood is less expensive, easier to work with (it requires no welding, can easily be cut, and weighs a whole lot less), and has proven durability. Homes with metal frames are not unheard of, but the ease and cost effectiveness of wood most often outweighs the stability benefits of metal.

Foundations for houses are concrete. It is inexpensive, versatile, and above all, tough.

House Framing Basics
Start with a large amount of concrete. This concrete can be poured a floor beneath the ground if there is to be a basement, or near the surface for a "slab" foundation. Either way, basement or slab, extra long and wide sections of concrete (called "footers") are poured along the perimeter to provide the support needed for the exterior house walls. Beams are often sunk into the foundation to provide support for load bearing walls inside the house.

"Balloon" House Framing
Balloon framing, though once very popular, has been replaced in most new houses with platform framing. Wall studs that extend from the foundation all the way to the roof of the house characterize balloon framing. The two major reasons for its unpopularity are: the length of lumber needed for balloon construction has become expensive, and fire spreads quickly through the continuous walls. Metal house framing is responsible for a recent (though small) rise in balloon construction. Metal studs decrease the fire risk and can come in longer lengths than wood without significantly raising costs.

Platform House Framing
Most modern houses make use of platform framing. Walls on each floor are independent of each other and rely on their own construction for stability, rather than depending on foundation to roof studs. Platform framing is less of a fire hazard than balloon framing. It is also preferred because the platforms make it easier to work on upper floors (a task that requires scaffolding in balloon framing).

The type of house framing you employ will depend largely on the area where you are building. Certain techniques are more desirable in certain places. Whatever your needs (a basement, a flat roof, or even stilts), there is a frame to match them. Choosing the right one will ensure a solid structure for years to come.