Comments on: Guest Post: The Fatal Flaw in Advanced Framing, Part 2

By: Thomas Billups

Thomas Billups — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:50:05 +0000

My company has used advanced
My company has used advanced framing for the past five years. While it's not perfect, it's a big improvement over the traditional 16" OC 2x4 framing that we used before. No, our openings don't land at the 24" OC layout, but neither do the openings in 16" OC frames. It's about progression, and fewer studs and plates with thicker cavity insulation is an advancement over where we were, and where the vast majority of our competitors still are.
As for redesign, the Swedish model would require similar revision to the same 100,000 plans as OVE, with a larger learning curve for designers, framers and inspectors, not to mention the revision to the codes. While converting to Swedish framing may be worth it, getting builders to adopt these changes will be no less difficult than convincing us to advance frame. I do appreciate the introduction to this framing technique, and I hope to see it on the ground here in the U.S. in the future.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:29:59 +0000

I waited for the second
I waited for the second article before commenting, so pardon me if I mention things in first article in this post.
First I'd like to say that OVE is a good savings, but a hard sell to builders. (yep you knew that didn't you?) I've found it works better for owner/builders..which isn't burning up the market palce anytime soon.
Depending upon what is used for insulation, the raised heel is something I'd leave in, if conventional insulation on attic floor is being used.
Saving $$ on lumber costs is always a good idea IMO as long as strength & performance doesn't suffer.
I've seen quite a few OVE builds in my rural area. The site usually has quite a few folks stopping to say wtf y'all doin? As it is not the common wall construction.
With things like my favorite...SIPS and ICF around I see why posters are asking why revisit OVE.
Not everyone can afford the upcharge of SIPS/ICF..thus OVE fills that void. If we put our foam sheathing on the exterior of the OVE walls, insulate conventionally and use ADA(air tight drywall approach) we have built a thermally broken, air tight wall. (as long as sole plates are sealed to slab, and foam board is taped).
And saved quite a bit of $$ in the process.
I've always thought there was a place for OVE in the market, and would like to see more of it.
more OVE less waste $$ in foam insulating walls. we can build walls tight.
save the foam for the errors
it covers by installing it on the roofline.
take out designer/architect mistake of putting ducts in attic, cover builder errors..thermal bypasses IC recessed lights..and hvac error of not mastic sealing the ducts.
I enjoyed the article as I seek ways to solve problems and not just throw $$ at them.
People need to realize that building/owning a house is a dream for most of us. Affordable options like OVE should be maximized, so that the dream becomes reality for more people..not less.
SIPS & ICF have their place..but so does OVE.

Thanks for the articles.

By: Sean @ SLS

Sean @ SLS — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:07:51 +0000

The only thing wrong with the
The only thing wrong with the single top plate is it isn’t how it was done in Swedish Framing… sheesh what a crock

Allison you would have done better writing about your issues with OVE, assuming you do have some.
http://bit.ly/CSB-OVE

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:18:31 +0000

For the heat loss of a
For the heat loss of a typical structure how much could be saved by changing framing practices?