Learning more about energy efficient building, I would like input on the best walls to build for a home knowing that i will be doing most of the work on my own. We will live on the North Dakota/Canadian border. I read an article in the April/May 2015 issue of an R-30 wall by Stephen Bonfiglioli that seemed builder-friendly.
i am looking for the most affordable energy efficiency while knowing most of the labor will be done by myself. Thanks.
Any wall ideas are appreciated. I am hoping to start building within the next three months.
HB.
Replies
I am in the same boat, starting a studio/garage build this summer in CZ6. It comes down to how much wall you can lift by yourself. A 2x4 double stud wall would be lightest but twice the labor and time. I am probably going to use the Bonfiglioli technique. I'll put up 2x6/16oc walls in 8ft long sections (without sheathing), which I can comfortably deadlift.
I just came across this series of articles, the dude built his house solo.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/saving-sustainably-framing-second-floor-hold
You guys need wall jacks- there are several brands- Proctor, QualCraft, Guardian, probably some others I don't know about. They'll help you lift heavy walls safely
Make sure you learn how to keep them from falling off the far side too.
Check out https://www.toolfetch.com/product-categories/masonry-equipment/roofing-equipment/product-type/Wall-Jacks
@BobboMax But that would cost money! Just kidding, thanks for suggestion.
You can sell them after the house is built. Or hang them on the wall as trophies. Or give them to your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
But seriously, good tools are rarely a bad investment, especially when they empower you. Even for a DIYer, your time, your body and your safety are important and valuable.
The key to lifting walls is managing the transition between the first 4/5" lift and then pushing the wall up into position. What we did is attach 2 short temporary 2x4 hinging legs to the wall section. Each leg was attached to the flat side of a 2x6 wall stud with a single 3/8" lag bolt when the wall was laying flat. The lag bolt was left a little loose so the leg would drop down when the wall was lifted. With the legs taking the weight you can let go and reposition yourself for the final push up. My wife and I are not particularly strong but we lifted 10/12foot long, 2x6 on 24" centre walls c/w sheathing without any problem. Our biggest problem was quickly holding and nailing off the wall so it didn't fall over. A third person really helps.
This article is just great! For acquaintance!
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/saving-sustainably-framing-second-floor-hold
Another helpful tool for standing walls up safely by yourself is wall braces. Check out https://www.acmetools.com/adjustable-wall-brace-2620/012643026200.html?feeds=shopping. I suspect Acme is a bit pricey, so shop around.
A wall brace is basically 10' of tubng or 2" angle, with nail plates at each end attached by threads set up like a turnbuckle. Their basic purpose is plumbing and aligning walls- as you rotate the angle, the nail plates move together or apart, moving the top of the wall in or out (it should already be attached at the bottom plate.)
But you can also use braces to make it safer to stand a wall up. Lift it with jacks until it's just shy of vertical, still leaning in, then nail off a brace that's intentionally adjusted to be a few inches short. Then you can extend the brace to plumb the wall, while still having complete control of it.
This tool is a must when you need it.
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2008/01/03/pv-20-wall-puller-framing-tool-review