Framed Versus Masonry - How should I Build My New Home? Here are Some Answers.
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Should one build a new home using masonry or wood framing. That is a question I am often asked by my clients.
Framed walls consist of wood studs placed 16" on center covered with sheathing material like plywood, water proofed with a siding or stucco applied to the exterior. Masonry walls are build with concrete blocks in block layers stacked up to the full height of the wall. These blocks are embedded in mortar. Reinforcing steel is placed horizontally and vertically and strengthened with poured concrete. Each can have its strength determined by various factors which the engineer controls. Let me answer a few questions:
Can termites be a problem in wood framed homes?
They can be, unless controlled. Termites can be controlled by placing flashing called a "termite shield" at the bottom of the wall which blocks subterranean termites from traveling up and destroying the wall. Also the bottom plate is usually pressure treated which termites hate. These and routine maintenance in subsequent years can essentially eliminate the risk of termites. There are framed home 100's of years old.
Is a masonry wall stronger than a framed wall?
In general, a framed wall can be built with adequate strength to handle hurricane winds and other forces. A wooden wall with proper sheathing, nailed properly, is quite strong. A masonry wall is also quite strong. Its strength is a function of its thickness, its height as well as the reinforcement used.
Which is cheaper to build, framed exterior walls or masonry?
Overall, framed is less expensive to produce than masonry. Though siding is usually more expensive for framed exterior wall, these walls are still, generally, less expensive to build considering speed of construction and the costs of materials and labor.
How does insulation compare in a masonry home and a framed home?
Wood framed walls are generally insulated with batts of insulation with R values ranging 11 right into 20's, depending upon wall thickness. It is usually easier to insulate wood walls to higher levels than that of masonry. Insulation, in masonry wall, is usually a challenge. Since blocks themselves are not good insulators. insulating them is usually in the form of radiation blocks (foil over the furring strips) or even foam insulation sheets over the wall. Sometimes walls are filled (in the cores) with insulation. None of these achieve insulation as high as that that can be achieved in a wood wall. One advantage of masonry, due to its mass, is that it will tend to even out the temperatures fluctuations through the day.
Does the relative thickness of masonry walls take up more room in the house?
Typical framed construction uses a 2x4 exterior wall. This takes up about 5" compared to about 10" to 11" taken up by the masonry wall. This can, obviously, affect the interior usable space of a home. Framing, usually, takes up less room.
These are just a few factors to consider. Framing the exterior walls of a home is an excellent way to proceed. Interestingly, most homes that I design are masonry because most folks tend to feel more comfortable with masonry walls. There is a perception of additional strength. But, frankly, the facts indicate that this is a false sense. If done properly (and it is important that it be done correctly) framing is a better value.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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