Energy efficient homes

Stack Framing – A better way to get more energy efficient homes.

A well thought out plan goes a long way.

This was an interesting read for us at Buck Robertson Contracting. We are always trying to build our framing members (studs, floor joists and trusses) 24″ O.C (“on center spacing”) unless we run into Brace Walls (earthquake protection), which need to be 16 O.C. or specified by the engineer. In doing so more planning is needed to be put in up front to determine desired points of where to start your framing members layout. Truss system and floor plan design need to be taken into account, In doing so make all ducting, plumbing and electrical work easier for sub-trades by keeping runs clear of obstacles and reducing the chance of bulkheads.

Pre Planning

If a contractor is brought in at very early stages of design these things can be looked at and addressed. There is a lot of pre-planning that goes into a house prior to it getting started and with some effort up front and figuring out a plan a lot of unwanted design changes can be avoided. We feel at BRC that it makes a lot more sense to move things around on paper then it does in the real world. The planning process takes effort from all parties involved in the project, to come to an understanding of what the project should look like in the end.

Our Arrowsmith job demonstrating Stack Framing.

Execution of plan

Now it is time to take the plan to site and start building. The best contractors in the world with the most detailed plan still run into complications. The key to the complications is being able to problem solve which is 90% of construction work. At BRC we feel this is one of our strong suits. When faced with a problem you need to step back and think about all your options before diving back into something and come up with a plan that everyone involved in the process will be happy with.