balloon frame
These materials were used to build lightweight buildings with nailed frames made of dimensional lumber. It was said to have been called balloon construction because the buildings were so light they looked like they would float away.
What is the difference between balloon framing and platform framing?
The central difference between balloon and platform framing is that the studs in a balloon frame extend from the foundation to the rafters, whereas in a platform frame, the studs are independent on each storey.
What is balloon framing?
A balloon frame structure is a timber frame structure, where the studs run continuously from the sole plate to the rafter plate. The studs are typically a soft pine dimensional lumber. These studs are placed 16 inches on center, OC, to accommodate the 4 foot increments of the sheathing material.
Is balloon framing good?
The two major cons of balloon framing are that long studs are less efficient to erect then shorter ones used in platform framing and the continuous spaces between studs act as chimneys during a fire, unless closed off with a fire-stop. However, balloon framing does offer some advantages as well.
Why is balloon framing no longer used?
Firefighters who frequently respond to fires in the area usually instantly recognize if the home is balloon-framed and take proper precautions. “The problem with balloon framing is that it creates a lot of open chase way,” Erwin said. “Anytime there are empty vertical spaces, there is an increased fire hazard.”
When did they stop balloon framing?
Balloon framing was the most common form of construction in America from about the 1880s to the 1930s.
How are second floor joists supported when using balloon frame construction?
The floor joists for the second floor were usually supported on a ledger or ribbon that was let into the studs. Balloon-framing was replaced by platform-framing (today’s building method of choice) when the trees that produced the long studs became scarce.
Is balloon framing commonly used today?
Today, balloon framing (mostly in the form of platform framing) remains the default construction method for single family homes all over the world, as well as for multistory apartments in the US (contributing to our low cost of construction for these building types).
What are the disadvantages of platform framing?
Other major cons to wood platform framing include its risk to homeowners’ health (wood plays host to mold and mildew that can make homes toxic) and a home’s longevity (the wood used in platform framing is subject to rot and termites that can compromise your home’s structural integrity, requiring major repairs down the
Where is balloon framing used?
In balloon framing, the studs (vertical members) extend the full height of the building (usually two stories) from foundation plate to rafter plate, as contrasted with platform framing, in which each floor is framed separately. Balloon framing is used primarily in Scandinavia and in the United States.
How do I know if my house has a balloon framing?
As a homeowner you might be wondering how to tell if your house is balloon frame construction? The most common characteristics of balloon frame constructed houses are that the windows are stacked. Meaning that the windows on the second floor are directly above those on the first floor.
Is a balloon frame house safe?
Most balloon-frame homes are two or three stories tall. This allows for unimpeded fire spread from the basement to the attic in a matter of minutes via the interior stud channels of the exterior walls.
What are advantages and disadvantages of balloon framing?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of balloon framing? The advantage of balloon framing is there is not a lot of vertical shrinkage. The disadvantages of balloon framing are the lumber is large and hard to handle and the vertical hollow spaces allow for fires to travel quickly.
