What is wood light frame construction?

Light-frame construction, System of construction using many small and closely spaced members that can be assembled by nailing. Freed from the heavy timbers of the post-and-beam system, platform framing offers ease of construction. Carpenters first fabricate a floor, which consists of wood joists and subflooring.

Is wood light frame construction used in commercial building framing?

Due to its cost advantages, availability, and ease of assembly, wood is often the go-to framing choice for single family homes, multifamily, and commercial buildings⁠—Type III and Type V construction. Light-frame construction is often used for retail, healthcare, school, and commercial buildings.

When did timber frame construction start?

Archaeologists have found timber framed homes in Britain dating back to the Mesolithic period (over 10,000 years ago). Clear evidence shows timber posts set in holes.

What are the framing methods commonly used in light frame construction?

What are the commonly used framing methods used in light frame construction? The commonly used framing methods in wood light frame construction are platform framing and balloon framing. In platform framing, roof and the second floor is carried by the smaller vertical members called studs.

What is heavy frame construction?

Jul 1st, 2000. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), defines heavy timber construction as a system having main framing members measuring no less than eight inches by eight inches and with exterior walls that are made of a non-combustible material. The building industry is driven by money.

What is the difference between heavy framing and light framing?

Not surprisingly, the primary difference between “light” and “heavy timber” is the section size of the construction members. Compared with light-timber balloon construction, heavy timber construction requires fewer, large-section wood products for the building superstructure.

Can wood studs be used in commercial buildings?

Wood framing is permitted in some aspects of all five. Construction Types III, IV, and V may be framed exclusively with wood, but exterior walls in Types III and IV buildings are required to be fire retardant-treated wood (FRTW).

What is the difference between post and beam and timber frame construction?

Timber frames are always made with solid wood with mortise-and-tenon connections and secured with wood pegs. Post and beam construction typically uses half lap joinery with hidden fasteners, and decorative metal braces some of the time. The other difference is in the type of wood that is used.

What type of wood is used for house framing?

The most popular softwoods are cedar, fir, pine and spruce. Softwoods are faster growing and have straighter grain, making them good for framing, construction and outdoor projects.

When was the first wood frame house built?

WOOD-FRAME HOUSE CONSTRUCTION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE «FOREST SERVICB»AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 73 WOOD-FRAME HOUSE CONSTRUCTION By L. O. ANDERSON, Engineer Forest Products Laboratory — Forest Service U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agriculture Handbook No. 73 • Revised July 1970 Slightly revised April 1975

What kind of wood do you need to build a light frame house?

• Posts and timbers are a minimum of 5 inches thick, and the width does not exceed the thickness by more than 2 inches. • Decking is 2 to 4 inches thick and loaded in the weak axis of bending for a roof, floor, or wall surface. Most wood used in light-frame residential construction takes the form of dimension lumber.

What should be included in a wood frame house?

Factors in Design 19 Recommended Nailing Practices 19 Posts and Girders 20 Girder-joist Installation 23 Wood Sill Construction 23 Floor Joists 23 Bridging 29 Built-up Subfloor Other29 Floor Framing at Wall Projections 31 Page Chapter 6.—Wall Framing 31 Requirements 31

How are floor joists used in wood frame construction?

In this technique, first-floor joists are covered with sub-flooring to create a surface upon which exterior walls and interior partitions are erected. In the platform system, wall framing can be assembled on the floor and the entire unit can be tilted into its place.

What kind of wood is used in light frame construction?

Light-frame construction is made up of dimensional lumber and engineered wood that is regularly spaced and fastened together with nails to create floor, wall, stair and roof assemblies. As they are fastened together the wood components form the structure of a building, much like a skeleton.

What kind of construction was used in the 1950’s?

The mid- to late 1900s have seen several significant innovations in wood-framed construction. One example is the development of the metal plate-connected wood truss in the 1950s. Wood truss roof framing is now used in most new homes because it is generally more efficient than older stick-framing methods.

What kind of construction is used for platform framing?

Platform framing features the construction of each floor on top of the one beneath. Platform framing starts with a floor frame attached to a foundation, and walls are raised and fastened to the floor frame. A floor is constructed of wood joists and subflooring.