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I thought I understood the difference between Platform and Balloon Framing, but now I’m not sure. I’m writing a book about Sears Modern Homes (built 1908-1940), and I’ve learned that the early Sears Homes were built using balloon framing because it was so “easy.” I thought Balloon Framing used a single piece of lumber for studs from basement to roof line.
Can some one please help me understand what Balloon framing is, and how it could be considered “easier” for a DIY-er?
Thanks!
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b WBA At Your Service
Rosemary,
You are correct about balloon framing using studs from foundation to roof. Platform framing is what is currently used today. In response to your question about what makes balloon framing "easier" you need to consider the question "Easier than what ?" From your perspective, studding 20' high walls seems anything but "easy". I would agree. But at the time, homes were commonly framed with large timbers, or in our area (eastern PA), they were more often full masonry exterior walls (double or triple brick) with or without interior furring. For a do-it-yourselfer, timberframing and/or full masonry construction was out of the question. Balloon framing was definitely within reason. Stud sizing was becoming somewhat uniform to make wood lathe and plaster an obvious choice for a finish. Once the studs were up, the floor joists were nailed along side the studs, often with a ledger let in to the stud faces.
*And the studs went down to the sill with the floor joists nailed to them. The 3/4" exterior sheathing was all that covered it.
*Sometimes the 3/4" sheathing was put on the interior as in our 1880 balloon framed house. Several other balloon framed houses in our neighborhood were done that way. On the exterior, the clapboard was then nailed directly to the studs.
*I've worked on several houses built in the early 20th century, hybrids between platform and balloon framing. Instead of running the studs from sill to eave, they put in a horizontal plate to support the 2nd floor joists, and continued studs up from there. In other words, the ledger is the full width of the wall.
*Certainly one key element that would make a balloon frame kit 'easier' is the significantly smaller number of actual framing members used. Simply put their would be about 1/3? (guesstimate) less sticks in a 2 story home. That would also make the instructions simpler to illustrate.If Sears kits remained balloon style until 1940, well after builders had switched to platform framing, then they may not have wanted to change their kits.I worked on a Sears Home near Mason MI that had a concrete block exterior. The blocks were cast to look like quarried sandstone and were quite attractive.joe d
*i've worked on old balloon framed homes and the better homes had the floor joists notched into the studs, some even were mortised and tennoned. the lesser quality simply nailed and a ledger block placed under the joist for more support. anyway i can't see how any of it was easier than platform construction. the most dangerous attribute of ballon framing however was the lack of any fire stop as a blaze in the basement often times chased right up to the roof.
*Thank you, thank you, thank you!Your messages were all so helpful!And you explained things in a way that I could easily understand and grasp. I wish I could bring you each a plate of chocolate chip cookies. :-)Rose Thornton
*got two sears homes on my street and would you believe the firt Ryan home kit home ever built. I live in a ballon studded home built in 1880's. Studs sill to roof and 1x10's nailed inside then lath, then plaster. Cedar on the outside. Proper building back then. A local architech deigned the home and built one similar to it with lots of gingerbread for his retirement home in Ohl,PA. The home in Ohl was bulldozed in 1999, still in good shape. One differance, the home in Ohl had 1x10 on the inside and out side of the studs then cedar on the outside and toung and grove on the inside, floors and walls.
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I thought I understood the difference between Platform and Balloon Framing, but now I'm not sure. I'm writing a book about Sears Modern Homes (built 1908-1940), and I've learned that the early Sears Homes were built using balloon framing because it was so "easy." I thought Balloon Framing used a single piece of lumber for studs from basement to roof line.
Can some one please help me understand what Balloon framing is, and how it could be considered "easier" for a DIY-er?
Thanks!