EA New Homes Measures Guide - Earth Advantage

2012 Earth Advantage Residential
Measures Resource Guide
3.4.1
Intermediate Framing
Energy
Health Land Materials
Prerequisite
Description: Intermediate framing improves two thermal weaknesses of typical wood frame construction. The first provides a method to
insulate corners. Typically, each corner needs solid wood backing to support the drywall. Instead of framing the old-fashioned "box", which
is inaccessible to insulation, other methods of supporting the drywall can be used. The most common method is to turn a stud lengthwise
to the wall so that insulation can be placed behind it. Other methods include ladder blocking and drywall clips.
The second provides a method to insulate the headers, another area where insulation is needed. Exterior walls are now framed with 2x6
lumber, but most headers don't need to be 5½-inches thick. A 4x header leaves room for 1.5 inches of rigid insulation over the entire
surface. High-density blown-in insulation is also acceptable at headers.
Water
Benefit: Intermediate framing uses less wood, requires less labor, produces less waste, and improves overall insulation value of the wall
assembly.
Verification: EA Rater will verify that 80 percent of all corners and headers have insulation. In some cases, a corner may be required to be
solid wood to meet seismic requirements. For example, an outside corner may be two or more studs nailed together with a metal bracket
that connects them to the foundation. Full-thickness headers might be required for wider window or door openings.
3.4.2
Advanced Framing Techniques
Energy
Materials
Water
0 0 0 1 0
Description: Advanced framing means using less wood to frame a house. This technique eliminates wood where it is structurally
unnecessary, or where its use is likely to cause other problems such as drywall cracks. The advanced framing technique uses 2 x 6 studs,
19.2 or 24 inches on-center to frame the exterior walls as well as follows all other requirements of Intermediate Framing (see measure
3.3.1). Ladder blocking and the use of hardware like drywall clips, in place of lumber, are common elements in this technique. The
following are additional elements that can be implemented in advanced framing: Design homes on 2-foot modules to make the best use
of common sheet material sizes and reduce waste and labor. This includes overall dimensions, partitions, and aligning window locations
with stud spacing. Space floor joists and roof rafters 19.2-inches or 24-inches on-center. Use two-stud corner framing and inexpensive
drywall clips or scrap lumber for drywall backing instead of studs. Use one-stud framing at partitions with ladder blocking, drywalls clips, or
scrap lumber for drywall backing. Use a precut framing package. Eliminate headers in non-load-bearing walls. Eliminate unneeded
cripple studs under window ends. Use single top plates (requires framing alignment and connector plates). Size headers to their actual
loads. Use single top plates when appropriate. Fill in any blind spaces during framing with rigid insulation.
Health
Land
Benefit: A typical wall assembly can be as much as 25 percent wood. The insulating value of wood is R1 per inch. Fiberglass, cellulose and
other materials have insulating values that range from 2.8 to 4 per inch. It is easy to see that reducing the percentage of wood will
increase the percentage of insulation. The result is a wall assembly that will lose much less heat and require less labor and material to
build. Advanced framing is one green building technique that reduces construction costs.
Verification: EA Rater will visually inspect the framing to see that the techniques listed above were employed. Builder must at minimum use
increased spacing between studs, 2-stud corners where possible, insulated headers, and eliminate headers in non load bearing walls.
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