FRAMING

America has an abundance of forests. Wood is a renewable resource that is strong and easily fabricated into a variety of objects from furniture to buildings. The abundance and economy of wood assures its future as a major residential building material. Conventional framing practices often use far more lumber in the construction of homes than is structurally required. These practices are wasteful and thermally inefficient. Green building science focuses on Optimal Value Engineering. This technique allows for the construction of buildings that use the minimum amount of wood required to provide structural safety while offering opportunities to replace unnecessary framing members with additional insulation. Optimum Value Engineering reduces framing costs, conserves lumber, and improves the thermal performance of the building envelope. Green builders also have numerous options for the construction of the building envelope that do not rely on wood framing. The most commonly used alternatives are structural insulated panels (SIP's) and insulated concrete forms (ICF's). Other alternatives include straw bale and rammed earth construction.

What Makes Framing Green?
Optimal Value Engineering (OVE)
Structural Insulated Panels (SIP's)
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's)
Construction Waste Management

5 Considerations for Consumers:

1. Optimal Value Engineering reduces the use of natural resources since every piece of lumber is there for a reason
2. Use of less lumber in framing allows more room for insulation
3. Optimal Value Engineering eliminates the sources for mold and moisture by insulating corners so there is less condensation
4. Consider an alternative building material such as SIP's or ICF's that combine frame and cavity insulation in one and produce comfortable, energy-efficient houses
5. Look for the FSC logo from the Forest Stewardship Council to indicate the lumber used in framing came from well-managed forests