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

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

Find a Female Tradesperson With Matriarchy Build

With a goal of getting tools into the hands of more women, this new web service enables people to set up consultation calls with women and nonbinary pros on a variety of home-construction projects.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 19, Jesse Neumann, Arborist
  • FHB Podcast: Special Edition With Neil Freidberg of Louisiana Pacific and Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings
  • DeWalt Recalls 12-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws
  • Podcast 483: Recalled Electrical Panels, Drainage Behind Brick, and Lazy Additions

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
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

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 my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 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