1. High Performance Walls for Energy Efficiency & Disaster Resilience
October 8, 2014
Bob Clark, APA
Matthew Brown, APA

2. Whole Building Design Balancing Cost, Structure and Energy
Burden is on the builder to produce structures that are:
Cost-effective to build
Strong and safe
Energy efficient
Balancing Cost, Structure and Energy

3. Whole Building Design
In new home construction, the walls of a house present a great opportunity
to prevent energy loss

4. Whole Building Design
In new home construction, the walls of a house also present a great opportunity to protect
the house from the forces of nature

5. High Performance Walls for Energy Efficiency & Disaster Resilience
AGENDA
8:00 – 9:00
Walls That Work & Advanced Framing
Bob Clark
9:00 – 10:30
Energy Efficient Wood Walls
Matt Brown
10:30 – 10:45
Break
10:45 – 12:00
Disaster Resilience and Durability
12:00
Adjourn

6. APA-The Engineered Wood Association
Non-profit Trade Association representing
manufacturers of engineered wood products:
Structural Panels: Plywood and Oriented Strand Board
(OSB)
Glulam
I-joists
Structural Composite Lumber (SCL): Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), Oriented Strand Lumber (OSL)

7. APA Web Site: apawood.org

8. APAwood.org/DesignersCircle
Connecting building and design professionals with timely technical information and recommendations. JOIN TODAY.
APAwood.org/DesignersCircle

10. CAD Details

11. Wood – The Sustainable Choice

12. Wood – The Sustainable Choice
Environmental Facts
Wood is a renewable building material and is a good choice for the environment, for green building, and for long-term life cycle performance.
The manufacture of wood products requires substantially less energy than the production of other building products such as steel and concrete.
Wood product manufacture results in fewer greenhouse gas and other air-polluting emissions, and wood design compares favorably on the solid waste scale.
Its environmental attributes make wood the natural choice for sustainable design.

13. 2x6 Advanced Framing The Concept of Advanced Framing
Advantages of Advanced Framing
Advanced Framing Details
Strength and Bracing with Advanced Framing
Examples of Advanced Framing

14. The Concept of Advanced Framing
Any techniques that:
Optimize building material usage
Minimize thermal bridging
Increase cavity insulation volume to provide maximum energy efficiency
Withstand all design loads

15. Optimum Value Engineering (O.V.E.)
Advanced Framing
a.k.a
Optimum Value Engineering (O.V.E.)
In-Line Framing
a.k.a.
Stacked Framing

16. Advanced Framing APA Construction Guide APA Form Number M400
Free download at

17. Suite of Framing Techniques
Advanced Framing is not a “take all or leave all” concept.
Using any or some of the techniques is still “Advanced”
The more holistic the approach, the more savings.

18. Phasing In Advanced Framing
Switch to 2x6 studs to increase cavity insulation depth and R20 energy code requirements.
Change wall framing module from 16" o.c. to 24" o.c. Retain the use of double top plates to avoid in-line framing.
Incorporate intersecting wall techniques and energy efficient corners, beginning with three-stud corners, that allow for greater insulation volume. Implement energy-efficient headers and single-member framing around openings.
Eliminate double top plates.

19. Advantages of Advanced Framing
Energy Efficiency
Cost Effectiveness
Structural Integrity
Sustainability

20. Energy Efficiency Maximize space for cavity insulation Minimize
insulation voids
Reduce thermal bridging

21. Energy Star 3 Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist
Reduced thermal bridging at above-grade walls separating conditioned from unconditioned space (rim/band joists exempted) using one of the following options: 12, 13
Continuous rigid insulation, insulated siding, or combination of the two ≥ R-3 in Climate Zones 1 to 4, ≥ R-5 in Climate Zones 5 to 8 14 ,15, Or;
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), OR;
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), OR;
Double-wall Framing 16, OR;

22. Energy Star 3 Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist
4.4 Reduced thermal bridging at above-grade walls separating conditioned from unconditioned space (rim/band joists exempted) using one of the following options: 12, 13
Advanced Framing, including all of the items below:

23. Energy Star 3 Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist
4.4 Reduced thermal bridging at above-grade walls separating conditioned from unconditioned space (rim/band joists exempted) using one of the following options: 12, 13
Advanced Framing, including all of the items below: a All corners insulated ≥ R-6 to edge 17, AND;
4.4.5b All headers above windows & doors insulated 18, AND; 4.4.5c Framing limited at all windows and doors 19, AND;
4.4.5d All interior/exterior wall intersections insulated to same R-value as the rest of the exterior wall 20, AND;
4.4.5e Minimum stud spacing of 16" o.c. for 2x4 framing in all Climate Zones, and in Climate Zones 5 – 8, 24" o.c. for 2x6 framing unless construction documents specify other spacing is structurally required 21

24. Cost Effectiveness More resource efficient than conventional framing
Optimizing lumber usage reduces material costs
Reduced framing labor
Increase efficiency of
other trades:
Fewer studs for plumbers and electricians to drill
Fewer cavities to fill
Less waste and dumpster
costs

25. Structural Integrity Stacked Framing provides direct load path
 2x6 24" o.c. are 2-1/2 times stiffer than 2x4 16" o.c.*
Wall Bracing Solutions
Siding Attachment Solutions
* Moment of Inertia Comparison

26. Sustainability Wood has long been a successful green strategy
Renewable resource
Less energy to manufacture
Less pollutants to manufacture
Performs well on life-cycle analysis
Advanced Framing delivers greater environmental dividends
Optimizing material usage
Reducing construction waste
building

27. National Green Building Standard ICC 700
Up to 9 points may be claimed for Advanced Framing
Techniques.
Minimum certification requires 222 points with 45 in Resource Efficiency.
Multiple opportunities for points using wood, certified
wood, engineered wood products, etc.
Practice #
Chapter 6: Resource Efficiency
Points Available
Points Claimed
Required Documentation
601.2
Material usage. Building-code-compliant structural systems or advanced framing techniques are implemented that optimizes material usage.
NOTE: Indicate structural systems or framing techniques in the Additional Info box below. Examples: floor, roof, exterior walls, interior walls, single top plate, no headers in non-bearing walls, ladder blocking at wall intersections, 2-stud corners, right-sized headers
sys = 3 pts
sys = 6 pts
sys = 9 pts 9
List advanced framing features shown on plans 9

28. Advanced Framing 24" o.c. Member Spacing
APA plywood or OSB roof sheathing (omitted for clarity)
Roof trusses (energy heel roof trusses shown) 24"o.c. Single top plate
Framing members “stack” to create direct load path APA plywood or OSB wall sheathing
2x6 studs 24"o.c. supporting one floor, roof and ceiling. Height limitations per code requirements.
APA Sturd-I-Floor® minimum 24 o.c. APA Rim Board®
APA wood I-joists or SCL 24"o.c.

29. Conventional Framing 16”o.c. Member Spacing CONVENTIONAL FRAMING:
2x4 Studs at 16" o.c., Double top plate, 3-Stud corners, 2-Stud ‘T’ junctions, Double 2x12 header on jack studs, Redundant cripples at ends of window sill plate

30. Advanced Framing 24”o.c. Member Spacing ADVANCED FRAMING:
2x6 Studs at 24"o.c., Single top plate, 2-Stud corners, Ladder junctions, Wood structural panel headers,
Single studs at sides of openings, Redundant cripples omitted

31. Wall Frame Comparison Single top plate
Wood structural panel box or single-ply header
Single studs at sides of opening
Ladder blocking (optional)
Advanced Framing
Conventional
Framing
Advanced/ Conventional Framing
2x6 studs, 24"o.c.
Redundant cripple studs eliminated
Two-stud corner or California corner

32. Three-stud Corners Insulated Three-stud Corner (California Corner)
Traditional Corner
Difficult to insulate
Outside corner

33. Two-stud Corners Two-stud Corner (with Drywall Clips) Alternatives
Outside corner
Alternatives
2012 IRC,
Figure R602.3(2)
FRAMING DETAILS
Note: A third stud and/or partition backing stud shall be permitted to be omitted through the use of wood back-up cleats, metal drywall clips, or other approved devices that will serve as adequate backing for facing materials.
Drywall clip
to hold drywall in place

34. Two-stud Corners Corner stud 2x Ladder Blocking at 24"o.c.
or Drywall Clips
Outside corner
2x Ladder Blocking at 24"o.c. or Drywall Clips

35. Interior Wall Intersection Options
Ladder Junction
Single top plate
3" x 6" x 0.036" galvanized steel plate
Interior wall
2x ladder blocking at 24"o.c.
Install blocking with wide face vertical for maximum backing to wall finish and for maximum insulation in exterior walls.

36. Interior Wall Intersection Options
Junction for Continuous Drywall Application
Single top plate
3" x 6" x 0.036" galvanized steel plate
Drywall
Interior stud set in ½ inch (or more)
from exterior wall studs
Detail courtesy of NAHB Research Center

37. Single Top Plate Connections
Longitudinal Top Plate Splice
Prescriptive Connection
3" x 12" x 0.036" Galvanized steel plate
12- 8d (2-1/2" x 0.113") Nails each side*
*Plate size and number of fasteners required is greater than 2009 International Residential Code.

38. Single Top Plate Connections
Longitudinal Top Plate Splice
Alternate Connection: Wood Splice
Splice Joint
Single top plate
Splice joint
8-16d (3-1/2" x 0.135") nails each side of splice.

39. Single Top Plate Connections
Intersecting Wall Connection
Prescriptive Connection
3" x 6" x 0.036" galvanized steel plate 6-8d (2-1/2" x 0.113") nails each side IRC, Section R
Alternate Connection
2x6 lumber splice
2-10d (3" x 0.128") nails each side 2012 IRC, Table R602.3(1), Item 19

40. Single Top Plate Connections
Corner Framing
Prescriptive Connection
3" x 6" x 0.036" galvanized steel plate 6-8d (2-1/2" x 0.113") nails each side IRC, Section R
Alternate Connection
2x6 lumber splice
2-10d (3" x 0.128") nails each side 2012 IRC, Table R602.3(1), Item 19

41. Trusses or floor joists at 24"o.c.
Single Top Plate
Offsets
2012 IRC Section R Top plate. Wood studs shall be capped with a double top plate... Exception: A single top plate may be installed in stud walls…provided the rafters or joists are centered over the studs with a tolerance of no more than 1 inch…
Prescriptive Member Placement for
Single Top Plate Wall Construction
Common/repetitive members supporting uniform loads applied to single top plate
Trusses or floor joists at 24"o.c.
1"
1"
Studs at 24"o.c.

42. Single Top Plate Offsets
2012 IRC Section R Top plate. Wood studs shall be capped with a double top plate... Exception: A single top plate may be installed in stud walls…provided the rafters or joists are centered over the studs with a tolerance of no more than 1 inch…
Prescriptive Member Placement for Single Top Plate Wall Construction
Rafter Ceiling joists
1"
1"
Studs at 24"o.c.

43. Double Top Plate Offsets
(2x4 Framing)
2012 IRC Section R Bearing studs. Where joists, trusses or rafters are spaced more than 16 inches o.c. and the bearing studs below are spaced 24 inches o.c., such members shall bear within 5 inches of studs beneath.
Prescriptive Member Placement for Double Top Plate Wall Construction
Trusses spaced > 16"o.c.
Max. offset = 5"
2x4 top plate maximum offset,
Studs at 24"o.c.

44. Double Top Plate Offsets
(2x6 Framing)
2012 IRC Section R Bearing studs. Where joists, trusses or rafters are spaced more than 16 inches o.c. and the bearing studs below are spaced 24 inches o.c., such members shall bear within 5 inches of studs beneath.
Exception: 1. The top plates are two 2x6 inch or two 3x4 members.
Prescriptive Member Placement for Double Top Plates with 2x6 Walls
Truss
No Maximum Offset
2x6 top plate no maximum offset
Studs at 24"o.c.

45. Openings in Non-Load-Bearing Walls
Conventional Headers Not Required
Single top plate
Cripple studs as required
Opening top plate may be doubled for openings wider than 8'
Single opening top plate
Opening in non-load- bearing wall
Note: Use jack studs as required.

46. Engineered Wood & Lumber Headers
Single-Ply Header at Top Plate
Top plate
Single-ply load-bearing header
(flush outer face of header with outer edge of studs)
Outside of wall
Cavity insulation space
(to stud depth less single header thickness)
Header bottom plate
(to complete rough opening at header)
For many openings 4 feet wide or less in one-story buildings, single studs at sides of rough openings may be adequate IRC Table R502.5(1).
Jack stud or approved framing connector 2012 IRC Tables R502.5(1) & R502.5(2)
2012 IRC Section R

47. Engineered Wood & Lumber Headers
Single-Ply Header with Cripple
Top plate
Single-ply load-bearing header
(flush outer face of header with outer edge of studs)
Outside of wall
Cavity insulation space
(to stud depth less single header thickness)
Header bottom plate
(to complete rough opening at header)
For many openings 4 feet wide or less in one-story buildings, single studs at sides of rough openings may be adequate IRC Table R502.5(1).
Jack stud or approved framing connector 2012 IRC Tables R502.5(1) & R502.5(2)
2012 IRC Section R

48. Engineered Wood & Lumber Headers
Approved Framing Connector Option
Single or Double-ply Headers
Cavity insulation space Header hanger
(such as Simpson Strong-Tie HH or equivalent)
Single stud at sides of rough openings (most openings up to 48" wide)
outside of wall
Alternate Header Connection: Where the number of required jack studs equal one, the header is permitted to be supported by an approved framing anchor attached to the full-height wall stud and to the header.
2012 IRC Section R

49. Wood Structural Panel Box Header for Load-Bearing Walls
One-sided Wood Structural Panel Box Header
Single top plate
Cripple studs on
stud layout
Cavity insulation space (to full width of wall studs)
Min. 15/32 Performance Category wood structural panel
Drywall interior finished
Single stud at sides
of rough openings to 48" wide, jack stud required span > 48"
Header top plate to complete rough opening at header

50. Wood Structural Panel Box Header for Load-Bearing Walls
Two-Sided Wood Structural Panel Box Header
Insulation
Cripple studs on stud layout
Min. 15/32 Performance Category wood structural panel or thicker (sanded or MDO plywood may be used on inside surface in lieu of drywall)
The top plate of the wood structural panel box header shall be continuous over header. For construction details and maximum spans, see 2012 IRC Section R ,
Figure R and Table R
Note: Framing fastening per code.

51. Wood Structural Panel Box Header for Load-Bearing Walls
Nail Pattern
Single top plate Wood structural panel face shall be single piece of 15/32 Performance Category or greater sheathing Slant nail if necessary Cavity insulation space behind wood structural panel Single stud at sides of rough opening to 48" wide Jack stud required if span > 48"
3" 3" 3"
9“ or 15” depth
Strength Axis
NAIL PATTERN
2012 IRC, Table R
8d common nails minimum 3"o.c. spacing stagger nails ½"

52. Wood Structural Panel Box Header for Load-Bearing Walls
TABLE R *
MAXIMUM SPANS FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL BOX HEADERS
HEADER CONSTRUCTION
HEADER DEPTH
HOUSE DEPTH (feet) 24 26 28 30 32
Wood Structural panel – one side
9" 4' 3' -
15" 5'
Wood Structural panel – both sides 7' 8' 6'
* Spans are based on single story house with clear span trussed roof or two-story with floor and roof supported by interior-bearing walls.

53. Rough Opening Placement
The placement of openings in load-bearing walls and the layout of framing members above openings have significant impact on header sizing for
advanced framing.
Minimum required materials
to frame rough opening
Structure above imposing tributary loads on header
Potential increased header size - increased load from
structure above
Excess materials due to inefficient opening
placement
24" wide
tributary load
24" wide
tributary load
48" wide
tributary load
Best Placement
36" wide opening
36" wide opening
36" wide opening
Note: Jack studs may not be required if using wood structural panel headers.

54. Ceiling Frame – Attic Insulation
Typical Attic Insulation with “Regular Heel”
Minimum 1" space between insulation and roof sheathing
R-49 = 15"
R-38 = 12"
Insulatable depth
R-30 = 10"
at rafter heel

55. Ceiling Frame – Attic Insulation
Typical Attic Insulation with “Energy Heel”
Minimum 1" space between insulation and roof sheathing
Insulatable depth
R-49 = 15"
R-38 = 12"
at truss heel
R-30 = 10"
2009 IRC, N or 2009 IECC,
Ceilings with attic spaces. When Section N1102.1
would require R-38 in the ceiling, R-30 shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement for R-38 whenever the full height of uncompressed R-30 insulation extends over the wall top plate at the eaves. Similarly, R-38 shall be deemed to
satisfy the requirement for R-49…….

56. Energy Heel Truss to Wall
Wood Structural Panel Overlap
Energy heel truss
Fastening per design
Optional rafter-tie or tension strap inside or over wall sheathing per manufacturer recommendation
Ensure correct fastening of sheathing to top plate per shear wall, wall bracing, or combined shear and uplift requirements.*
Plywood or OSB wall sheathing
*See rafter-tie manufacturer’s instructions for installation of strap over sheathing and into framing.

57. Use of Wood Structural Panels for Energy-Heel Trusses
Provides a prescriptive method of bracing energy-heel trusses through the use of wood structural panel wall sheathing.

58. Wood Structural Panel Wall Sheathing Used to Resist Wind Pressures
Excerpt from 2012 IRC Table R602.3(3)
Minimum Nail
Panel Span Rating
Nominal Thickness Category
Stud
Spacing
Max. Wind Speed (mph)
Exposure Category
Size
Penetration B C D 6d
1.5"
24/0
3/8
16"
110 90 85 8d
1.75"
24/16
7/16
130
105
24"
For panel nail spacing 6” o.c. at edges and 12” o.c. in field of panels
Designed shear walls may be used for higher wind speed areas and should be designed in accordance with the IBC or other engineering standards

59. Recommended WSP for Stucco Exterior Finish
Stud Spacing
Panel Orientation
APA Rated Sheathing
Performance Category
Span Rating
16"
Horizontal
3/8
24/0
Vertical
7/16 Structural 1 OSB
24/16
15/32, 1/2 5-ply or OSB
32/16
24"
7/16
19/32, 5/8 5-ply or OSB
40/20
Blocking recommended between studs along horizontal panel joints

60. Wall Sheathing Installation
Recommendations for 24" o.c. studs
Fasten panels as recommended with 8d nails
6" o.c. at all panel edges
12" o.c. in the field
Space panels 1/8" at all panel ends and edges
Use minimum 7/16 category panels
Some OSB panels alter strength-axis orientation to allow vertical placement with strength axis across studs

61. Oversize Wall Sheathing
Sized for 8, 9, 10 ft. walls
Eliminates blocking
Easy to inspect
Less air infiltration
More direct uplift and lateral load-path

62. Using WSP for Combined Shear and Uplift
Resist combined uplift and shear
Lower Cost
Reduced
Construction Time
Reference: APA SR-101 Design for Combined Shear and Uplift from Wind

63. Braced Wall Panels Intermittent Bracing Methods Method Material
Max. Stud Spacing
LIB
Let-in-bracing
16"
DWB
Diagonal wood boards
24"
WSP
Wood structural panel
SFB
Structural fiberboard GB
Gypsum board
PBS
Particleboard sheathing
PCP
Portland cement plaster
HPS
Hardboard panel siding R

64. Winchester/Camberly Homes
New Construction Test House
D.C. MetroArea
Built in partnership with NAHB and US Department
of Energy Building America Program
Completed 2011
Three Story + Basement

65. Winchester/Camberly Homes
New Construction Test House
D.C. MetroArea

66. Murray Residence
St. Johns County, FL
Built
2009

67. Murray Residence
St. Johns County, FL

68. Other Efficient Wood Wall Systems
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)
Double Stud Wall System

69. Next: Energy Efficient Wood Walls