Wood framing is the most transformative stage of construction and requires the utmost skill and experience to execute, especially in Utah, where the weather is varied and the land is rugged.
Framing provides the structure that shapes your home and all of the spaces inside where you will work, play, and live. So, how long does this essential structure take to put in place? The answer varies depending on your project. Read on to find out:
- How Long Does Wood Framing Construction Take
- What Are the Steps to Wood Framing Construction for a House
- What Impacts How Long a Framing Project Takes
- Why Choose Wood Framing Construction Over Metal or Timber
- Learn More About Wood Framing Construction
How Long Does Wood Framing Construction Take
While wood framing construction completes one of the most dramatic phases of any new-build, it is also one of the fastest stages of new construction, with walls, floors, and roofs often going up in less than a month.
Wood framing for an average-sized single-family home in Utah takes between one and three weeks. More complicated rooflines, multiple stories, dormers, or vaulted ceilings can increase that timeline to six weeks. The larger the home, the longer it will take to frame.
What are the Steps to Wood Framing Construction for a House
Framing begins with the floor joists and subflooring shortly after the foundation is poured. A treated lumber barrier is installed between the concrete and the untreated framing, which will sit on top. Joists, which are the structural support of the floor, come next, followed by subflooring.
Once the subflooring is installed, exterior and interior walls take shape, with studs, or vertical beams, placed 16” to 24” apart. In Utah, which is in a seismic zone, metal straps are nailed into the walls to allow the house to move in the event of an earthquake.
Exterior walls are typically framed with 2 x 6 boards to allow for thicker insulation and provide further protection from hot and cold temperatures. Sheathing encloses the exterior walls and roof before insulation and weather barriers are installed to protect all of the wood and interior from the elements.
While the exterior framed walls provide structure and protection, interior framing separates rooms and hides plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Doors and windows are created during the framing process with headers to support the openings. And finally, the framing and trusses for the roof, or joists for a second floor, complete the structure.
Weather & Wood Framing Construction
While the time it takes to frame a home depends on the size of the structure and the crew, the timeline can also be impacted by the weather, which can range from sun to snow to rain in Utah.
Wood framing is often delayed by rain or snow to prevent warping or dry rot from prolonged moisture exposure. Hardcore Constructors, a full-service wood framing contractor in Utah, ensures its wood framing is always protected and kept dry.
Why Choose Wood Framing Over Metal or Timber
Whether it’s a commercial building, an apartment complex, or a single-family home in Utah, wood is a more cost-effective framing material and is easier to work with than metal or timber.
Wood provides natural temperature insulation against heat and cold, as well as insulation against sound. Wood also allows for more flexibility when it comes to detailed designs and more complicated rooflines. While wood is a more economical choice, it does require more maintenance over time to prevent dry rot and pests.
Metal framing is stronger than wood and more resistant to fire, pests, and moisture, but is susceptible to rust and costs more to purchase and construct. It is also more difficult for electricians and plumbers to work with and provides less insulation when it comes to the elements and sound. Because of its strength, metal is typically reserved for high-rise projects.
Timber is a heavier type of wood used in construction for aesthetic purposes. Timber uses wood joinery, while wood framing is installed with metal fasteners. Both require the same maintenance, but timber is much more expensive and can take up to 12 weeks to construct for an average-sized home.
Learn More about Wood Framing Construction
You can learn more about wood framing construction from Hardcore Constructors, your full-service wood framing contractor for commercial and residential new build projects in Utah. The family-owned and operated framing company brings decades of experience to each project with a focus on framing precision to ensure drywall, cabinets, fixtures, and everything else that follows in your dream home goes smoothly, is level, and stays secure.
Find out how Hardcore Constructors can ensure your Utah new-build is framed right, on budget, and on schedule, the first time.
