Framing: Stacking vs. Larry Haun
bubingoringo
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have recently read The Very Efficient Carpenter along with other books about framing. I also watched the companion videos that Larry Haun made for his book, The Very Efficient Carpenter. I noticed that Larry doesn’t stack the ceiling joists and roof rafters on top of the studs in the walls. In the video and the book he continually restarts his wall stud locations each time he comes to a window or a door. Other books say that you should stack the rafters and joists on top of the wall studs.
So is there a disadvantage to laying out the studs Larry’s way? Or should you always stack the framing members in line with each other?
Replies
If say a floor joist fall right in the middle of top plates tween studs on a 2x4 wall, the allowablew load is about 750#, hence if the span is <25 ft or so(99% of residential cases), no problem not 'stacking'.
With osb or ply sheating, even less of a concern not stacking.
There shouldn't be a problem not "stacking" the members.
In many cases it would be impossible. For instance, walls are typically 2X4 at 16-inch on center, and roof trusses are typically set at 24-inch on center, so there is no way to keep them lined up.
what is the loading if you do place ceiling joists over the stud
with osb or plywood sheathing, about 1,200*3.5*.15 = 6300# before the stud is stressed. But you will start to get crushing of the joist or rafter bearing area at about 2000#
Stacking Layouts is better and more efficient, courteous, and often required.
Studs and trusses at 24” o.c. = stack
Studs 16” o.c. and Trusses/Joists/Rafters at 24, stacked 4’ o.c.
Studs and rafters 16” o.c. = stack
Stacking L-O’s keeps the bay’s areas lined up for mechanicals, i.e.; plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.
It is also considered courteous to the other trades to keep any nails from being placed in/over the wall bays when attaching the double plates. They will not have to cut nails with expensive bits/blades during their installations.
Something to keep in mind
Larry Haun was framing in Southern California starting in the 50s. Lumber was cheap, speed was what they were after. Headers were 4x8s or larger, OSB unknown.
Almost none of the houses from that era had ANY insulation in the walls. A lot had nothing in the attics either. Natural gas was cheap, heat the great outdoors too. 2x6 framing on 24" centers was unheard of, with no insulation who cared? All the roofs were stick framed so where a truss (what's a truss?) was going to land didn't matter either.
Joe H
I can think of...............
Exactly ZERO places within 250 miles of my home on the east coast where you would get away with doing it Larry's way.
As Joe pointed out, Larry started in southern California in the 50's. Times have changed.
Stacking can be made very efficient with a little forethought and planning.
While I don;t use them anymore? I know plenty of ways to make it faster and more efficient.
I've seen and enjoyed the videos.
However, restarting your layout at every window and door is a nutty idea in this day and age--that's because we use plywood/OSB sheathing now, not let in 1x4 braces like Larry shows.
With modern techniques, stacking isn't necessary. I like to do it because it makes plumbing and HVAC installation easier (and results in fewer framing repairs after the subs are done).