Most buildings (both residential and commercial) are built around a frame that provides the structure and support for the building. Framing typically falls into two categories – heavy framing and light framing – with light framing used in the majority of residential buildings.

Heavy framing includes construction methods such as post-and-beam construction, also known as timber framing, where large, heavy timber beams are used instead of dimensional lumber (wood cut to standardized dimensions such as 2×4, 2×6, etc.), and heavy steel framing that is normally seen in skyscrapers and other large commercial buildings. Light framing is typically done using dimensional lumber or light-gauge steel, with the building’s structural skeleton of wood or steel components assembled piece by piece.

Other construction methods such as masonry (building with individual stones or bricks held together by mortar), reinforced or unreinforced concrete (a material made from a mixture of gravel, sand, cement and water), rammed-earth blocks (building blocks made of compressed earth), and Structural insulated panels (SIPs) (sandwich panels with engineered wood on two sides and insulation in between) can be used independently or in conjunction with frames to build homes, but most of these methods are used in tandem with a frame in the US and Canada.

Commonly-used residential construction methods – how do they work?

Platform/Stick Framing with Wood

Far and away the most common way to build a home in Canada and the US is using “platform” or “stick” framing, also known as “stick-built”. Platform framing uses individual pieces of dimensional lumber (further customized on site to the exact required size) which are assembled piece by piece to form the frame of a home. With this building method the platform or foundation is built first, followed by the walls of the first level of the home (created with vertical pieces of lumber), and then an additional platform for the second-story floor with the walls of the second-story anchored into the second platform. The entire framed structure typically sits on a concrete foundation, which is put in place before building commences. The wooden frame is built entirely on site, piece by piece.

Platform framing requires studs (vertical 2x4s), to be placed every 12, 16, or 24 inches to make up the walls. Evenly-placed studs ensure that walls designed to act as structural supports can bear the weight they need to carry, but do put limitations on elements such as the number and size of windows in a home, and the length of open spans within the structure.

After the frame has been completed, wiring, insulation and paneling are put in place, followed by the finishing exterior and interior elements.

Typically, platform framed wood homes are built using all load-bearing walls, and with rafters providing support for a pitched roof. Building codes have been established which strictly regulate all aspects of platform framed wood homes, making homes with different architectural elements (large spans, cantilevers, window walls) a challenge for this construction.