SPF, LSL or Framer Series SYP for wall studs ?
I am preparing to build a house addition in Virginia that will require about 90 2×6 exterior wall studs. I built my existing house in 1978 and cut all the SPF 2×6 studs from 16 ft lumber. That happened because my lumber supplier didnt have enough 8 ft studs in stock so they delivered half as many 16 ft lengths for the same price. 16 ft lumber cut into 8 ft lengths provided very nice straight studs. Building and sheathing the walls was easy because all the studs and plates were so straight.
Is there any way to obtain wall studs as consistently straight as what I used in 1978 ? Here are the options that I have thought about:
1. Buy the highest quality 16 ft SPF 2×6 lumber I can find (seems to be #2 grade) and cut into 8 ft lengths
2. Use engineered LSL 1-1/2 x 5-1/2 lumber for studs and plates. An example is Weyerhaeuser 1.3E TimberStrand LSL studs. This is an expensive option but may be worth the cost if the result is quicker wall construction and higher quality exterior / interior finish.
3. Use Weyerhaeuser Framer Series studs. They are advertised as consistently straight and even have the crown pre-marked. However they are SYP, not SPF. I never used an SYP stud because they always tended to twist and bow, they are harder to nail and they split more easily.
Has anyone used engineered LSL lumber or Framer Series SYP for wall studs and plates ? I have never used LSL – does it accept nails without splitting similar to SPF ?
Thanks,
Mike
Replies
If you're that anal about straightness, and I don't mean that in a bad way, why not use steel studs? Dead straight, light and easy to install. I watched a steel framed house go up about 6 years ago and was very impressed. Everything was flat, straight, level and plumb. Since it was all screwed together it didn't need any clips, straps or ties, quite a virtue in itself.
I vote SPF
I find that typically 2X6 SPF studs that find their may to jobsites I'm on are excellent. Not always but usually. At least as good as 1978.
Each bundle can be different for many reasons but you can go and see what your supplier has on hand or even go to the box store and pick each one.
I don't advise going to the lumberyard and picking through a big pile though. Poor ettiquete.
"I don't advise going to the
"I don't advise going to the lumberyard and picking through a big pile though. Poor ettiquete."
At the yard I work at we don't mind - Provided they don't leave a huge mess behind.
But heck, everyone gets bad lumber. There's no way we can control it. You just cut the bad ones down for cripples, blocking, etc.
good business...
The yards I frequent allow picking too. If I'm picking something up I always take anything I know I can effectively use, not insisting that each piece be perfect. They are most accomodating and very, very rarely send out bad material for delivery.
I've had customers visit the same places with unreasonable expectations, relating their picking stories that are often painful to hear.
When I buy lumber it's maybe 3-4 pieces at a time, and I know how many straight ones (and how straight) and how many not-so-straight ones I need. I'll pick out the straight ones THAT I NEED TO BE STRAIGHT, then pick "good enough" pieces for the rest.
I've seen others go through and pick out the ten straightest in the pile when they were probably going to use them for firewood.
Personally, I'd just buy precut studs. There's plenty of other work to do. Why bother cutting all the studs to length?
Maybe use the LSL studs on kitchen walls. But it seems like an awfully expensive waste to use them everywhere.
"I don't advise going to the
"I don't advise going to the lumberyard and picking through a big pile though. Poor ettiquete."
Actually, I LOVE those picky folks at the big box.
I like to hit the big box early on Monday AM to get the 75% off "culls' that are thrown to the side about picky pickers.
Anyone somewhat skilled can figure out how to use the crooked stuff in pair to give a straight composite at areas like top plates and deck flooring. Thanks, you pile sorters!
I also love the bozos who buy bagged concrete mix and tear the edge out of a bag and set them to the side - big box sells those for $1.00.
AND the onesy twosy at a time dw buyers at big box who ding a sheet or break a corner and flip it back, get those for $1 each also<G>
Art
Would you be equally enamored with those numb nuts bass turds that put screws etc back in the wrong bin (of course, not at a box store-remember those things called Hardware Stores?) ?