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Pros & Cons of Steel Frame for Residential Projects

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008

Pro
1. New code, C.B.C. 2007, can give certain advantages to the use of light steel framing
2. “Stick” steel is termed to be light U-channels
3. Two U-channels can be put together to form 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, etc.
4. Steel member walls are light in weight
5. Steel framing members usually have stamped openings for utilities to pass through
6. Steel framing is very quiet
7. Screw guns and power cutters are used
8. No waste of wood debris
9. Light steel framing can be faster
10. Low fire danger
11. Lower insurance costs
12. No termites
13. Whole metal house is grounded for lightening
14. Save trees
15. Steel is recyclable
16. Building departments look favorably on light steel construction
Con
1. Because light steel framing is fairly new, learning curve can be slow and expensive
2. General contractors or framing crews must obtain or buy new tools
3. Some building departments can be slow to adapt to light steel construction
4. Plywood still needs to be considered for roof sheathing
5. Wood rafter ends could take longer
6. Steel is difficult to trim, unlike wood

For more architectural advice and articles, to see one of our many projects, or to learn more about our office and the services we offer, go to our main website: Architect Atascadero

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Pros and Cons of Stick (Wood) Framing for Commercial Projects

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Pro
1. Readily available throughout the United States
2. Easily worked with as a framing material
3. Experienced, licensed framers are familiar with wood
4. Experienced framers have all the tools for the trade
5. Most building departments and inspectors are familiar with the stick
assembly of homes
6. All licensed architects are very familiar with wood as a framing material
7. Wood is a good insulator in conjunctions with the proper insulation
8. Wood is a recyclable material
9. Recycling of wood waste is becoming mandatory by the governmental
jurisdiction in which the site is located
Con
1. The new code, C.B.C. 2007, puts new restrictions on the use of stick frame
and heavy lumber
2. Large stick members and beams are heavy and may need mechanical
equipment to place
3. Other trades may have to drill through stick framing members
4. Wood does absorb moisture
5. Wood is becoming more expensive
6. Wood does put a burden on the forests
7. Wood is becoming a scarcer material

For more architectural advice and articles, to see one of our many projects, or to learn more about our office and the services we offer, go to our main website: Architect Atascadero

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Pros and Cons of Wood (Stick) Framing for Residential Projects

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Pros:
· Stick framing uses lumber for members
· Still readily available throughout the United States
· Easy to work with
· Experienced, licensed framers are familiar with the material
· Experienced framers have all the tools the material requires
· Most building inspectors are familiar with the stick assembly of homes
· All licensed architects are very familiar with stick framing
· Wood is a good insulator in conjunction with the proper insulation
· Wood is a recyclable material
· Recycling of wood waste is becoming mandatory by the governmental
jurisdiction in which the site is located
Cons:
· The new code, C.B.C. 2007, does put new restrictions on the use of wood for
framing
· Wood is cumbersome and heavy
· Electric, plumbing, and heating and ventilating contractors have to drill
through framing walls
· Wood does absorb moisture
· Wood is becoming more expensive
· Wood does put a burden on our forests
· Wood is becoming a scarcer material

Next Week: Pros and Cons of Wood (Stick) Framing for Commercial Projects

For more architectural advice and articles, to see one of our many projects, or to learn more about our office and the services we offer, go to our main website: Architect Atascadero

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Get Ready for the Building Inspector

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

Before concrete is poured for any Project, a Building Inspector will visit the site to check the job. You should prepare for the following:
1. Have a signed Soils Report ready for him to read;
2. Any saturation of the soil in that Report will be checked;
3. He will check a stamped, approved set of drawings, which should always be ready
and accessible to all inspectors;
4. He will check the foundation plan against what is laid out in the foundation
a. Depth of footings and plate
b. Anchor bolt spacing
c. Holdown hardware
d. Shearwall lengths and placement
e. Slab steel and spacing
f. Steel slab concrete chocks to raise re-bar, for concrete to fully engulf
re-bar;
5. If any of the above is not to his satisfaction, he will leave a correction sheet
with items he feel must be corrected;
6. Usually, a telephone number is on the correction sheet, to call for re-
inspection.

For more architectural advice and articles, to see one of our many projects, or to learn more about our office and the services we offer, go to our main website: Architect Atascadero

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