During my renovation I raised a house 3’ and now need to frame the lower floor but I’m looking for advice / ideas on the best method to frame in the perimeter walls.
My first choice is to use a Simpson connector such as a SPH4 or an SP2 rather than toe nailing the studs. From what I understand of these Simpson ties is they are only installed on one side of the stud, top and bottom.
Any insight from those who have installed these ties or other ideas would be great.
-John
Replies
Do you have some specific earth quake or hurricane requirements? Why not just toenail the studs in place? 3 or 4 toe nails are gonna hold better that face nailing would have anyway.
You hit the nail on the head, the house is located in northern California and earthquakes are a concern.
The plan is for corner sheer walls and a continuous load path of Simpson seismic connections from upper floor top plate to foundation.
The issue I wan to resolve is connecting the common studs to the plates. Maybe toenailing is sufficient?
-John
I don't know squat about earthquake zones so please disregard my previous post.
Matt
Don't know squat and have no need to learn. LOL. Loved that reply.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Nick:
I try to be to the point, and don't want to give opinions on things that I don't have direct expierence with.
Matt
I'm not familiar with earthquake country, but I live in hurricane country where requirements are similar. I would recommend the SPH4's attached to each stud of bearing walls, at both the top and bottom plate. However, I would first check to make sure you don't need professional engineering for your project, if you haven't already. In my area, pretty much anything that requires a permit also requires structural engineering for 120mph wind loads.
To resist racking forces, use good structural sheathing with lots of nails. Code in my area requires at least 1/2" ply nailed at 8" spacing in the field, and 6" on the edges. Ensure the nail heads don't break the skin of the plywood, which weakens it. Horizontal plywood edges should be backed with 2X blocking and nailed for maximum strength.
Hope that helps, and good luck,
Andy
Andy,
Interesting you picked the SPH connector. The SPH was my first choice but I was feeling a little lazy and wasn't sure I wanted to remove my newly installed bottom plate to install the tie. Removing the plate is actually very quick and simple and the benefit of attaching both sides of the stud with one tie makes it even more appealing.
Thanks for your input.
-John
The SPH connectors are longer, and not that much more money than an SP connector, so it make sense to use them. Good luck!
Andy