I am going back and forth between balloon framing and platform framing a demising wall for a homeless shelter project. It’s a 2×6 wall, 16′ tall at the highest point, 8′ lid, and nothing but an HVAC unit on the joists.
I feel balloon framing would probably be the fastest easiest way to do this, and most economical in terms of materials. My question is:
How would you attach the ledger for the joists to the 2×6 wall? And to the existing wall, for that matter. I figured SDS screws at the existing wall, and probably at the balloon frame as well, but want to get any insight I can from the masses here. I could lay in the ledger, but that I feel is probably unnecessary.
Thanks in advance.
Replies
Why do you think it is fastest and easiest? As soon as you start factoring the "letting in, etc" it quickly becomes a "six of one, half dozen of the other" argument.
If you platform frame it, you get the built in firstopping that you will need. You'll use less lumber because you'll create less drops will less thinking.
How long is this demising wall?
Here is a section from the plans (I hope-let me know if it doesn't go). I figure it will use much less plate (the wall is over 60' long), and speed production a bit by not a)stick framing in place or b)not framing sections and lifting the second part up there.The wall will be going up to the scissor trusses. Ledger at 8' all the way around, including existing walls. Don't pay too much attention to any elevations in the diagram, as they are all wrong.Wood has been speced out and there is easier access to the lumber, so I would probably stay with that. I agree that letting it in will take quite a bit more time, and would rather avoid it if there is an alternative.
"Don't pay too much attention to any elevations in the diagram, as they are all wrong."LOLIf I'm understanding this...you're demising wall is actually a gable style wall. The ceiling joist will butt the front wall and be carried by a ledger and hangers? If the ledger and hangers work on the outside wall, they will work on the demising wall. The question becomes: "Which would I prefer to install: extra plates or extra joist hangers?" I much prefer to install an extra plate.
Yeah, the plans on this project are pretty bad. The building was completed about 20 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the architect for the remodel never looked at the site.The joists would butt to a hangered ledger on the short existing wall (on right). The 2x6 wall in the plans is the demising wall, going floor to bottom of existing scissor trusses.There will be many volunteers on site, and I just don't really want more people working high than is necessary, so I figured balloon frame might avoid it.
My method would be this: frame the first stage of the demising wall with precuts and doubled plate. Install all joist. Install remaining demising wall studs off the walkplank on the joist. Depending on the needs of the firestop issues it all really a "six of one, half dozen" debate. I've successfully, many times, built the gable on the floor after snapping it out. I cant get one of them done in very short order using a combination of many tips and tricks that I've accumulated over the years. I've done small gable like this in 1/10 the time of someone attempting to stick frame them. Given that you are in the volunteer situation, I'd probably opt for the balloon framing after snapping it's outline on the floor. I personally hate putting joist hangers on but if I've got volunteers, I don't mind letting them do it LOL.
We've done plenty of those in shopping centers. 6 inch steel studs and track. Real fast and real easy to do working off a rolling scaffold. I'd screw a ledger to the studs and wall and use joist hangers from there.