Stick Framing How to Construct

Stick Framing

How to Construct the Most Durable House

By Implementing a Traditional Technique

There is plenty of information available on the Internet and on step-by-step videos about building a house, apartment, or commercial building. As with everything else online, some of the available sources of information is more reliable than others. In my professional experience as a handyman and as someone whose family worked in construction for several generations, the traditional stick framing design allows the construction of the most durable structure.

Stick and plank framing is the traditional technique of measuring and cutting each individual board and installing roof rafters, floors, and ceiling joists. Today, some framers prefer to use prefabricated roof, floor, and ceiling trusses instead of stick and plank framing because of the added expense of measuring, cutting, and placement. They also believe that installing trusses is faster and thus more profitable. In my opinion, that is a dangerous belief.

Some 2x4 roof trusses are heavy but flimsy, especially after shingles and drywall are added; sometimes they have little additional support underneath at all. These materials are also much less durable under extremely windy conditions. Furthermore, stick and plank framing allows the use of vinyl siding in both colder and hotter climates. Then, installing 2x6 stud walls instead of 2x4 stud walls provides the necessary extra space to use the additional space for thicker wall insulation.

In addition to conserving energy and reducing cooling and heating bills, it also reinforces the structure tremendously from within. Generally, framing boards and studs come in six different widths and lengths and your plans must comply with local construction codes, rules, and regulations. (Code requirements are available from the office of the local building inspector.)