Are you planning to construct a house? Of the many things to choose from, the type of house framing is one of the most essential choices that anyone who is constructing their home makes. In the construction industry, house framing refers to fitting pieces together to form a structure or shape. In layman terms, the framework resembles the skeleton of a house. It is the structure around which a building is built.
Homeowners can choose from several types of framing materials based on their goals. There are various framing materials including wood, steel, and concrete to choose from. Besides the materials, framing can be broadly classified as:
- Heavy framing – Timber framing uses heavy beams of timber, whereas large buildings and skyscrapers are built with heavy steel framing.
- Light framing – Light framing uses light-gauge steel and dimensional lumber that are assembled to form the structure.
4 Types of House Framing Explained
Here we have explained the four common types of house framing. An understanding of these framing types will help you choose the best one for your house.
Wood Framing
This type of construction is made by assembling lumber at regularly spaced intervals; lumber is fastened together with nails to create the functional spaces of a house. Using wood as a framing material is a popular choice among homebuilders because of several reasons:
- Wood is easily available.
- It is the only renewable source of building materials.
- Since wood is lightweight, it does not need heavy machinery to move the material. Hence, it is easy to build wood-framed houses.
Three types of wood framing include:
- Platform framing – In this type of framing, the framing of each floor is built separately.
- Balloon framing – This type of framing uses wall studs that run through the entire height of the house.
- Post-and-beam framing – This type uses horizontal beams and vertical posts.
Steel Framing
Steel framing is another popular framing type. They are popular because steel is resistant to termites and weather; it does not warp. Mild steel, which is a strong material, is used in most steel construction. It is also of immense strength and makes a perfect framing material as they can bend without breaking. It is also ductile; they only bend out of shape instead of cracking when they are subjected to force. Due to all these properties, a steel structure withstands better than structures made of other materials during a wind or an earthquake. They can also take any shape with a variety of joining techniques like riveting, welding classes, and bolting. However, it has a few disadvantages. If the structure is subjected to fire, at high temperatures, they lose strength. Also, steel corrodes when exposed to humid environments.
Concrete Framed Structures
Concrete framing is one of the most common types of house framing. Most of the modern buildings are made of a frame made of:
- Concrete beams – These are horizontal load-bearing members of the structure.
- Concrete columns – These vertical elements are the primary load-bearing members.
- Slabs – The slabs of concrete bear vertical loads and also transfer horizontal loads to beams.
The columns and beams transfer the load to the foundation and contribute to the structure of the house. Besides the above-mentioned elements, foundation and walls are other primary elements of a concrete framed structure.
Materials like brick, stone, drywall can be used as wall materials for these types of house framing. However, since concrete has low tensile strength, it has to be reinforced with rebar accessories Kapolei Hi or reinforcing steel. These steel bars, which are often patterned to improve their bonding with concrete, strengthen the concrete and hold it in tension. For single-story or similar low-rise structures, precast concrete frames are lifted and placed in a position to form the structure. Concrete members can also be formed on site by pouring concrete into a mold.
Framing with Structural Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are building panels that are used in commercial and residential buildings for walls and floors. The panels contain an insulating layer made of foam between oriented strand boards. Framing with SIPs is faster than other types of framing. The popularity of building with SIPs has grown in recent years because they minimize costs. In addition, they are durable and environmentally sustainable. Such structures also reduce heat losses and air leaks.
A sound framework is essential for a stable and safe place to live. When you undertake a house framing project, consider various factors including the complexity, size of the project, and where the house is going to be built. As house framing is one of the most important processes of constructing a house, make sure you go for a reputable framing contractor who can do a great job.
If you are in Massachusetts or Connecticut and looking for a reputable wood framing contractor, you can contact Wells Custom Framers. Their services include residential and commercial wood framing, siding, and window installation.
