The main advantage balloon framing has over platform framing is the increased wind load strength. The roof structure tied to the sole plate by the continuous studs make balloon framing very popular in hurricane-prone areas. Balloon frame structures also have less settling than platform framing as a result of shrinkage.
Thereof, Is balloon framing still used?
Balloon framing is no longer used today, Stack said. It has been replaced by a style called platform framing, which eliminates the problem of void spaces that comes with balloon framing, he said.
Also to know is, What is a platform framing? In platform framing, each floor is framed separately, as contrasted with balloon framing, in which the studs (vertical members) extend the full height of the building. Freed from the heavy timbers of the post-and-beam system, platform framing offers ease of construction.
Subsequently, question is, How do you frame a balloon wall?
Also, Is balloon framing bad?
Well, of the three types of framing, balloon frame houses have the greatest danger of catastrophic fires. To be clear, there is nothing intrinsically more flammable about a balloon frame house. It wasn’t built with kindling in the walls. The problem comes down to design.
How do you know if a balloon frame is construction?
How do you frame opening a load bearing wall?
Why is balloon frame construction rarely used?
“The problem with balloon framing is that it creates a lot of open chase way,” Erwin said. “Anytime there are empty vertical spaces, there is an increased fire hazard.”Apr 24, 2013
What is a platform frame construction?
: a light timber frame for buildings in which a platform is constructed at each floor and the studs for the next floor are erected on this platform usually with an intervening soleplate — compare balloon frame.
Why is balloon framing no longer used?
Since the house was originally built with balloon construction, there are void spaces that can allow fires to spread easily from floor to floor. … Balloon framing is no longer used today, Stack said.
How do you identify a balloon frame construction?
As a homeowner you might be wondering how to tell if your house is balloon frame construction? The most common characteristics of balloon frame constructed houses are that the windows are stacked. Meaning that the windows on the second floor are directly above those on the first floor.
What is balloon style framing?
Balloon framing is a style of wood-house building that uses long, vertical 2″ x 4″s for the exterior walls. These long “studs” extend uninterrupted, from the sill on top of the foundation, all the way up to the roof. … Some also assumed this type of framing could only be used in utilitarian, box-like buildings.
When did balloon framing end?
Post and beam, which is now used predominantly in barn construction. Balloon framing using a technique suspending floors from the walls was common until the late 1940s, but since that time, platform framing has become the predominant form of house construction.
What is considered light frame construction?
Light-frame construction, System of construction using many small and closely spaced members that can be assembled by nailing. … In platform framing, each floor is framed separately, as contrasted with balloon framing, in which the studs (vertical members) extend the full height of the building.
What is light frame construction?
Light-frame construction is made up of dimensional lumber and engineered wood that is regularly spaced and fastened together with nails to create floor, wall, stair and roof assemblies.
What is a balloon frame in construction?
Balloon framing is a style of wood-house building that uses long, vertical 2″ x 4″s for the exterior walls. These long “studs” extend uninterrupted, from the sill on top of the foundation, all the way up to the roof. … Some also assumed this type of framing could only be used in utilitarian, box-like buildings.
Why is platform framing used more extensively than balloon framing?
Why has platform framing become the method of choice. … Balloon framing has less vertical shrinkage from drying out of the wood, while platform framing is easier and safer to erect, uses shorter lengths of lumber for studs, and is automatically firestopped, for which reasons it has become the method of choice.
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