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Framing question

curvedroof | Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 23, 2006 04:58am

All the print, discussion about “advanced framing” has my attention.  And that of a client too, who wants an addition to his house.  One of the principles includes placing doors and windows in places that don’t interrupt normal stud placement.

So for a wall with 2X6’s, 24″ OC, the question is:  where does one find a window manufacturer that makes a product for rough openings that are compatable with the wall?  The normal pattern will have RO’s of 1-10 1/2, 3-10 1/2, 5-10 1/2, etc.  No window manufacturer has products with RO’s in those dimensions.  Order custom window sizes?  Does that negate the cost savings of advanced framing by a considerable amount?

-Bob the Builder (another one)

 

 

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  1. Piffin | Jan 23, 2006 05:06am | #1

    That's not something you give consideration to.
    It is far mopre important to consider furniture placement, views, light flow, overall symetry, etc

    Remember that the house is being built ofr the enjoyment of the occupants - people - and not for the fulfillment of the studs holding it up

     

     

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    1. User avater
      JeffBuck | Jan 24, 2006 08:51am | #4

      form follows function ...

      something like that?

       

      Jeff    Buck Construction

       Artistry In Carpentry

           Pittsburgh Pa

    2. rasconc | Jan 24, 2006 05:24pm | #5

      I thought it was for the studs building them.

      1. xosder11 | Jan 24, 2006 05:36pm | #6

        Guys, let me give you one designer's perspective. I spend months with clients who stay up at night cause they are not sure if they should move the slider left or right 8" because they are not sure how the chaise lounge is going to fit in the room. I think the idea that we are going to start designing and building houses where all doors and windows fall in a stud bay is insane. I think its a great idea for habitat houses and other affordable and efficient houses, but I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt that I will never be designing houses in such a way. It would just never fly.EDIT: Oops, meant to reply to curvedroof, my mistake.

        Edited 1/24/2006 11:07 am ET by xosder11

  2. atrident | Jan 23, 2006 07:08am | #2

      Custom windows are common. Most of them are made to order. I did what you are thinking...fit the windows to the RO of studs on 24 inch centers. Not real pleased with the results. Wont do that on the rest of the house.

  3. howhighlites | Jan 23, 2006 07:27am | #3

    Not very realistic.

    You normally would need to add headers and trimmers to carry the loads above any doors or windows you may add.

    As suggested before find the windows you like and use them for the design of your room or view.

    The framing is the easy part!

    Howie

  4. Framer | Jan 24, 2006 06:46pm | #7

    "So for a wall with 2X6's, 24" OC, the question is: where does one find a window manufacturer that makes a product for rough openings that are compatable with the wall?"

    It makes no sense at all to even think that way. That's not advanced framing at all. On new work the center marks mean absolutely nothing at for the placement of a window or door. You put the window or door wherever you want.

    On an existing house you can try and place a window and door in between the studs for budget reasons but it makes no difference at all.

    When you frame for a window sometimes the king stud or jack stud lands on a 16" or 24" center. So what. The rest of your window jacks will continue the center marks. They don't change. Sometimes the window kingstuds and jack lands in the middle of your center marks. So what. The window jacks stay the same following the rest of the centers.

    Sometimes the king stud lands 2" away from a 16" center mark. I still put in that 16" center stud because the sheathing joint might land on it or sheetrock joist. I don't leave them out or it screws up your insulation.

    "Order custom window sizes? Does that negate the cost savings of advanced framing by a considerable amount?"

    Why raise the cost for custom window for NO reason at all? It makes no sense

    This advanced framing is getting carried away. Trying to layout windows and custom size windows because of the wall center layouts is way, way overthing this. Your floor joists are laid out 16" centers and your studs follow on top of the joists. You might have a king stud that supporting a big header that lands in the middle of the joist/stud bay, so then you go back and block solid underneath.

    I've actually read somewhere that someone asked about changing the center in between the windows which is also makes no sense to do unless is was specified on the plans that the bay be opened so that the registers for the hvac would be in the center of the window which I have done before, which is fine but for no other reason, no you don't change the layout or order custom windows at all.

    Joe Carola



    Edited 1/24/2006 10:52 am ET by Framer

    1. User avater
      BossHog | Jan 24, 2006 07:21pm | #8

      I think it's silly to try to align framing with studs for most residential construction in MOST cases. When I was designing wall panels, we'd occasionally move things an inch or two in order to eliminate a stud if the RO location was flexible. But that was pretty rare. Seems like it would save a bit of lumber and labor, and would allow for more insulation. But in most cases I doubt it would be worth the trouble.In a detached garage or shop where you just wanted a couple of windows for light, I don't see why you couldn't order windows to fit between a couple of studs. That would certainly allow for a lot of flexability in placement.
      Be courageous. It's the only place left uncrowded.

  5. User avater
    txlandlord | Jan 24, 2006 09:31pm | #9

    As a long time builder and retired framer, I ditto the post by Framer.

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