FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

California 2018

The 2018 FHB House is a net-zero energy, high-performance home in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills designed to meet the goals of the California 2020 initiative and comply with the most progressive energy code in the country. The project combines a very tight, well-insulated envelope, cutting-edge mechanical systems, and unique material choices, all wrapped up in a one-of-a-kind modern design.

Framing With Engineered Lumber

Second-floor framing and the kitchen and living-room lid.

By David Good

On this build, all of our floors and roofs are framed with TrusJoist TJIs of various depths and grades. They allow for long spans to create the open spaces in our modern design. The TJIs are lightweight, which makes them easy to place. It’s also nice to have the TJIs for nailing subfloor and roof decks because their flanges are wider than lumber and we get fewer shiners.

An offcut of a TJI is used to set hangers so the rafters will plane with the rim.

 

Beveled rips are nailed to the top plate to catch TJI rafters on the shed roof.

 

Weyerhaeuser TimberStrand top and bottom plates keep long walls straight and reduce the number of splices needed. These engineered studs are also used to frame the rough openings because they’re always straight.

The rims are microlam LVLs or LSLs, depending on the location, and there are also various built-up beams and headers using TrusJoist LVLs and PSL beams and columns to carry some of the loads.

The rafters over the porch run perpendicular to the main roof. The 3-1/2 in. by 14-in. PSL picks up the load over this large opening.

The cantilevered second floor over the entryway and the cantilevered balcony off the master bedroom are supported with sistered LVL beams. We sistered these rafters together with Simpson StrongTie structural screws per our engineer’s structural plan. So, instead of having a large, heavy member to place, we were able to build up these beams, one piece at a time, on the top plates.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

California 2018 Videos

Navigate the Build

  • Introduction
  • Foundation
  • Framing
  • Windows and Doors
  • Insulation
  • Roof
  • Siding and Trim
  • Mechanicals
  • Interior Finishes
  • Kitchen and Baths
  • Completed Home

Behind the Build

  • Kansas 2022
  • Wisconsin 2021
  • Nebraska 2021
  • Connecticut 2020
  • Kentucky 2019
  • California 2018
  • Vermont 2017
  • Rhode Island 2016
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More California 2018

View All
  • A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance
  • Tour the California FHB House in Person
  • A Houseful of Cabinets and Built-ins
  • Preparing for Tile
View All

Fine Homebuilding House California 2018 Sponsors

  • Huber – Advantech Logo
  • Bridger Steel Logo
  • BuildDirect Logo
  • CabParts Logo
  • Dorken TruExterior Logo
  • Dryerbox Logo
  • DryerWallVent Logo
  • FLIR Logo
  • Lenox Logo
  • Maine Deck Bracket Logo
  • Mitsubishi Logo
  • Rockwool Logo
  • Schluter Logo
  • Simpson Strong Tie Logo
  • Stanley Logo
  • Titebond Logo
  • Weyerhaeuser Logo

Donating Sponsors

  • Beko Logo
  • Chief Architect Logo
  • Cor-A-Vent Logo
  • Duravit Logo
  • Ferguson Logo
  • Morso Logo
  • Patagonia Logo
  • StepStone Logo

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Will Insulating a Crawlspace Save Me Money?

A crawlspace doesn't have to be the exact same temperature as the rest of the home. Instead, focus on controlling moisture accumulation.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 527: Sloping Decks, Brick-Filled Framing, and Skylights
  • Introduction to the Sustainable Home Building Accelerator
  • Why Pretty Good is Pretty Great
  • Advantages of a Vented Over-Roof

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 525: Low-Budget Builds, Artificial Intelligence, and Trade School Curriculum
  • Podcast Episode 523: Digital Shower Valves, DIY Foam Outsulation, and Air-Sealing Stem Walls
  • Introduction to the Sustainable Home Building Accelerator
  • Podcast 510: PRO TALK With Engineer Steve Rogers
View All

Green Building

View All Green Building Articles
  • Podcast 507: Live From the Southeast Building Science Symposium
  • Mel Baiser addressing a group
    Mel Baiser, Co-Founder of Helm Construction Solutions
  • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Emily Mottram
    The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Emily Mottram
  • Ryan Shanahan
    Ryan Shanahan, Zero-Energy Retrofits Manager
View All Green Building Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in