FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube 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
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Best Walls for Solo Builder

user-7702418 | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 23, 2022 10:54pm

Learning more about energy efficient building, I would like input on the best walls to build for a home knowing that i will be doing most of the work on my own. We will live on the North Dakota/Canadian border.  I read an article in the April/May 2015 issue of an R-30 wall by Stephen Bonfiglioli that seemed builder-friendly. 

i am looking for the most affordable energy efficiency while knowing most of the labor will be done by myself. Thanks. 

Any wall ideas are appreciated. I am hoping to start building within the next three months. 

HB. 

Reply

Replies

  1. Tim_William | Feb 24, 2022 02:52pm | #1

    I am in the same boat, starting a studio/garage build this summer in CZ6. It comes down to how much wall you can lift by yourself. A 2x4 double stud wall would be lightest but twice the labor and time. I am probably going to use the Bonfiglioli technique. I'll put up 2x6/16oc walls in 8ft long sections (without sheathing), which I can comfortably deadlift.

  2. Tim_William | Feb 24, 2022 05:16pm | #2

    I just came across this series of articles, the dude built his house solo.
    https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/saving-sustainably-framing-second-floor-hold

  3. bobbomax | Feb 24, 2022 06:31pm | #3

    You guys need wall jacks- there are several brands- Proctor, QualCraft, Guardian, probably some others I don't know about. They'll help you lift heavy walls safely
    Make sure you learn how to keep them from falling off the far side too.

    Check out https://www.toolfetch.com/product-categories/masonry-equipment/roofing-equipment/product-type/Wall-Jacks

    1. Tim_William | Feb 25, 2022 08:58am | #4

      @BobboMax But that would cost money! Just kidding, thanks for suggestion.

      1. bobbomax | Feb 25, 2022 01:44pm | #6

        You can sell them after the house is built. Or hang them on the wall as trophies. Or give them to your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

        But seriously, good tools are rarely a bad investment, especially when they empower you. Even for a DIYer, your time, your body and your safety are important and valuable.

  4. bobble | Feb 25, 2022 01:43pm | #5

    The key to lifting walls is managing the transition between the first 4/5" lift and then pushing the wall up into position. What we did is attach 2 short temporary 2x4 hinging legs to the wall section. Each leg was attached to the flat side of a 2x6 wall stud with a single 3/8" lag bolt when the wall was laying flat. The lag bolt was left a little loose so the leg would drop down when the wall was lifted. With the legs taking the weight you can let go and reposition yourself for the final push up. My wife and I are not particularly strong but we lifted 10/12foot long, 2x6 on 24" centre walls c/w sheathing without any problem. Our biggest problem was quickly holding and nailing off the wall so it didn't fall over. A third person really helps.

  5. daniellemill | Feb 26, 2022 01:56am | #7

    This article is just great! For acquaintance!
    https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/saving-sustainably-framing-second-floor-hold

  6. bobbomax | Feb 26, 2022 06:00pm | #8

    Another helpful tool for standing walls up safely by yourself is wall braces. Check out https://www.acmetools.com/adjustable-wall-brace-2620/012643026200.html?feeds=shopping. I suspect Acme is a bit pricey, so shop around.

    A wall brace is basically 10' of tubng or 2" angle, with nail plates at each end attached by threads set up like a turnbuckle. Their basic purpose is plumbing and aligning walls- as you rotate the angle, the nail plates move together or apart, moving the top of the wall in or out (it should already be attached at the bottom plate.)

    But you can also use braces to make it safer to stand a wall up. Lift it with jacks until it's just shy of vertical, still leaning in, then nail off a brace that's intentionally adjusted to be a few inches short. Then you can extend the brace to plumb the wall, while still having complete control of it.

  7. calvin | Feb 27, 2022 07:49am | #9

    This tool is a must when you need it.

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2008/01/03/pv-20-wall-puller-framing-tool-review

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

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

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast 607: Wood Foundations for Winter Builds, Adding Headroom, and Aeroseal for Leaky Ducts

The crew hears from listeners about housewrap, replacing windows in brick openings, and managing heavy beams. Discussion questions include wood foundations, raising a ceiling in a ranch, and sealing up panned joist returns.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 609: Flashing a Metal Building, Energy Retrofits, and Siting a House
  • Podcast 609: Members-only Aftershow — Building Business With Timber HP President Matt O’Malia
  • Podcast 608: Roofs with Self-adhered Membranes, Heating and Cooling Loads, and Introducing People to Trade Work
  • Podcast 608: Members-only Aftershow—High-performance Building with Mainstream Methods and Materials

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

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • 2024 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 320 - Dec 2023/Jan 2024
    • How to Reuse Salvaged Wood
    • Chainsaw Retrofit and Energy Performance
    • Maximize HVAC Efficiency
  • Issue 319 - November 2023
    • Nearly Net-Zero ADU
    • An Easy Approach to Coffered Ceilings
    • Understanding Types of Roof Vents
  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

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
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

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
  • FHB House
  • 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

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

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 set_percent%

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