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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.

Kevin Parquette's crew is making swift work of the framing using traditional practices such as 2-by-4 construction with 1/2 inch CDX plywood sheathing. The partitions are constructed on the ground and then raised into place. Kevin and Bob discuss the steps involved in laying out the individual partitions. First the crew tacks the bottom plate into place temporarily. Next the top plate is pulled out for the back, studs are put into place and nailed, and the sheathing is attached. Finally, the crew stands the wall in place.

Bob joins General Contractor Wes Lohr as they frame the back wall of the affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts. Lohr walks Bob through the framing process as the deck is marked for stud placement, doors, and windows. Lohr explains the labor and time savings that materials and tools like a nail gun bring to the framing job. Lohr's brother Scott lays out and nails the entire wall from the header to the jack stud, the king stud, and the top plate that will receive the second-floor deck. This traditional stick-built wall will be squared and snapped with a line for the plywood before the sheathing goes on.

The concrete-block retaining wall for the deck and yard transition is complete. The walls curve as they flow into the yard and carry the steps from the deck to the yard and grill station below. Bob meets Tim Berky, the general contractor, who is attaching the western red cedar decking. Berky explains that he started with a solder board of cedar that is mitered to give a clean edge to the deck. The overhang is for the 1-by-12 cedar board that will face the pressure-treated front and sides of the deck. Berky shows Bob the stainless-steel, self-tapping square-head screws that he is using to attach the decking. Berky points out that stainless steel fasteners are recommended for use with cedar. Berky is driving the screws by hand rather than using a nailgun because he feels it gives a better, more solid installation. Berky uses his framing square rather than a 16-penny spike to space the deck boards and create an even reveal. Berky prefers the framing square to mark the spacing because it will not leave an indentation in the soft cedar boards.

Bob and Ryley start by raising an exterior wall on the second floor. Bob and Larry Landers discuss a stiff back support for a tall wall that will be both an interior and exterior wall on the same side depending on the height. They support the wall insuring it is plumb before starting on adjacent walls and rafters. Ryley explains the cutting of a nine twelve roof angle and how to use a framing square to get the angles for the rafters.

Building using SIPs, or structural insulated panels, is becoming a popular way to save construction time and energy dollars.Composed of thick, rigid expanded polystyrene foam sandwiched between sheets of oriented strand board, these structural insulated panels replace traditional framing, sheathing, and insulation. A 2000 square foot house can be put together in just a few days.