Framing a house using engineered wood has many advantages. Glue laminated beams are stronger than their conventional solid sawn counterparts. (Laminated veneer lumber comes in smaller dimensions for headers and ridge beams.) Engineered I-joists span greater distances and their stiffness prevents squeaky floors. Oriented strand board sheathing prevents racking and provides good nailer for siding.

Bob outlines the steps involved in framing up the house. Once the first floor joists were in place, the crew started in on the subfloor using ToughPly, a thicker plywood product from Georgia-Pacific. A single layer of ToughPly can be used under hardwood, tile, or carpet, and its quick-fit tongue and groove design saves time fitting the panels together. Next the crew framed the sidewalls with Riverside CDX plywood sheathing harvested from sustainable forests in British Columbia. While only slightly thicker than standard OSB or plywood, it's three times as stiff for a greater load carrying capacity and its favorable weight to strength ratio makes its easier to work with.

Bob and Ryley meet up with framing contractor Kevin Parquette of Timberline Building Specialists. Kevin comments on the advantages of working with the 28 ft. long engineered wood All-Joists from Boise Cascade. Designed for high performance and stiffness, All-Joists significantly speed up the framing process. Next Kevin points out the 1 1/8" engineered wood rim board. For fastening Kevin's crew used 12-penny nails covered with a glue which is activated by the speed of the nail coming out of the gun.

Bob discusses the home's framing with Ryley. Since much of the framing will be exposed special care is taken with the construction. Ryley demostrates a few of the techniques and raises a large section of the cabin.

…maple flooring brings elegance to your kitchen. The richness of this Bolivian Rosewood flooring from Bellawood gives this family room a warm glow. Enjoy the durability and ease of living with wood flooring from Lumber Liquidators. See this product…

…maple flooring brings elegance to your kitchen. The richness of this Bolivian Rosewood flooring from Bellawood gives this family room a warm glow. See this product on Home Again! Modular Home Front Porch Season 14 Bellawood Hardwood …

…product companies long-term suppliers of products ranging from two-by-four lumber to paper to mulch to keep their forest and ecosystems…
…most common construction in America today. Spruce, pine, or fir may be used. "Typically it's spruce," says Mike Gervais…

…replacing or eliminating an under-used first floor living space such as a formal living room that is never used or a formal dining room only used twice a year or to create a suite on an upper floor or in a bonus room over the garage, though an elevator or chairlift…

…table to help settle the concrete. Smooth the surface of the mixture by applying a steady downward sawing motion with a two-by-four piece of wood. After pushing the excess concrete off the table, glide a steel concrete trowel across the surface of the…

…process can guarantee R-values of 15 in exterior walls and two-by-four cavities because it is blown in to a density of two pounds…
…Fiberglass batt insulation also provides R-values of 15 in two-by-four cavities, but it is difficult to fit in crevices, around…