Utah wood framing contractors
Get in touch to learn more about our commercial wood framing contracting services.
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Wood Framing Services in Utah
Framing is the structure of your building — the essential support. Our crews in Utah have a record of delivering flawless results. When you work with us, you get a crew that:
- Focuses on safety
- Work with precision
- Values honesty and transparency
- Brings decades of experience
Utah has mountainous terrain, extreme dryness and winter weather, and a high seismic risk, particularly along the Wasatch Front. For wood framing projects, this means a team of local experts is vital for your project’s success. We plan ahead for heavy loads from snow when reviewing the designs for your building, and can offer guidance about how to ensure structural stability by incorporating elements like shear walls, engineered trusses, and joints.
In addition, our Utah wood framing experts carefully monitor the wood moisture content to prevent shrinkage, warping, and other issues that can arise with changes in dryness and moisture levels.
Finally, we not only know about the conditions in Utah, but as a family-owned and operated company, we know the people here, too. We’ve got relationships throughout Utah that support our projects at every phase — from sourcing the best possible wood to designing and implementing a sturdy and stable structure.
Our work
We have a reputation for reliability, quality, and efficiency. Browse our projects to learn more.
Wood Framing FAQs
What is wood framing?
Framing is the structural support of your building — essentially its skeleton. A typical wood frame consists of the following basic elements:
Plates: beams that run horizontal at the bottom and top of the frame.
Studs: vertical beams placed 16″ to 24″ apart, that run from the top plate to bottom plate.
Joists: horizontal beams that span the length of the floor. These act as support and create the platform for your building.
How do seismic building codes affect Utah wood framing?
Utah’s building code requires enhanced design to protect from seismic activity. This means in certain areas of Utah, particularly along the Wasatch Fault, framing will include more robust construction, like shear walls, hold-down connectors, and specific nail patterns. This helps the wood frame construction resist forces from earthquakes.
How will you prevent shrinkage or cracking in Utah’s dry climate?
Utah’s dry climate can cause rapid shrinking in wood framing that’s not properly cured, stored, or installed.. We always source high-quality, kiln-dried lumber to start with the best possible wood that will be less likely to shrink, followed by a period of time to acclimate it on site, stored properly, of course. Finally, we will review your designs and ensure that the layout is using dimensionally stable material in any areas to minimize movement as needed.
Does wood framing construction require additional support for the weight of snow?
Yes, and as local Utah wood framing contractors, we are experienced in building structures that must hold up to heavy snow loads. An engineer will help your project determine the specific size of joists and trusses, and we’ll ensure installation meets every standard and regulation to protect your building.
Is wood or steel framing better?
There are benefits to both wood and steel framing, and the best choice for your project will depend on your goals and requirements.
Wood framing tends to be more cost-effective for both materials and installation, leading to a lower price for your project.
Steel framing is inherently lighter and stronger, which makes it a good choice for high-rise projects.
We pride ourselves on transparency, and if we feel steel framing is more appropriate for your project, we’ll guide you in the right direction.
How are timber framing and wood framing different?
Timber framing and wood framing both use wood as the material for the structural support of a building. Timber frames, however, use wood joinery, whereas wood framing uses metal fasteners. Timber framing is popular for homes, but can be more expensive than typical wood framing.
What is the best wood for framing?
Lumber is graded different categories. The most common for construction are 1-3.
#1 – This includes high-quality, structurally-sound lumber with little to no visual defects like knots.
#2 – This is also just as high-quality in terms of structural soundness and strength, but may include cosmetic defects.
#3 – This lumber may have large knots, knot holes, or “wane” which is the presence of bark. Still structurally sound, but not visually appealing.
These are the three strongest grades, with #2 being the most typical for framing. It is just as strong as #1, but is cosmetic defects make it for useful for internal structures rather than visible finishes.
is metal framing cheaper than wood?
No, metal framing tends to be more expensive than wood framing. To discuss your project, and whether wood or metal framing is the right choice, get in touch.
Is wood framing on a concrete slab possible?
Yes it is! Get in touch with us to provide more details about your project, and we can help you decide what kind of framing is best.
What are acceptable moisture levels in wood framing?
Generally, a moisture level between 9-15% is acceptable is all areas of the U.S.
Anything higher than that can indicate a cause for concern. Wood that’s framed while wet can incur shrinkage when it dries. Some contractors prefer this method, and plan for shrinkage after installation. Others prefer to wait until wood is as dry as possible, and unlikely to shrink. We measure the moisture in your wood framing to ensure it’s acceptable before moving on to the next phase of your project.
What are the advantages of wood framing?
Wood framing is cost-effective, versatile, and easily available.
It also is not conductive to heat, unlike steel. This means wood requires less insulation to maintain its temperature in hot and cool conditions.
Finally, wood cannot rust or corrode. Steel rusts much faster than wood rots, which mean timelines for repairs and maintenance can be more severe for metal structures.