Wall Framing With 2x6s

Wall Construction

Introduction:

Outside residential wall construction has been traditionally built with 2x4s since the end of the error of post and beam construction. After the big oil crunch of the early 1970s, outside wall framing with 2x6s came into play.

Although 2x4s constructed walls will easily support a home's structure and weight, insulation became the primary reason for the change to wall framing with 2x6s. A standard 2x4 wall is normally insulated to a value of R-13 where as a 2x6 wall can be insulated to R-19 using standard fiberglass bat insulation. The use of 2x6s to get the added R value was the faster way to do it in the early 70s.

Now days there are much better insulation products available which can be used with 2x4 outside walls to increase R value such a blown-in insulation and structural Styrofoam. Like most things once a new technique is adopted by the construction industry it is not easy to change. In fact in the northern area where winters are severe 2x6 wall construction was require by local building codes just for the increased R value as an energy saving measure. But with the improvement of insulation most of these areas leave wall construction with 2x6s as an option as long as an R-19 or better insulation value can be obtained.

In the early period of 2x6 wall construction the studs were spaced 24 inches on center as opposed to the standard 16 inches for 2x4 wall construction. This helped offset the additional cost of 2x6s over 2x4s. The industry quickly went back to 16 inches on center spacing because of difficulties with hanging interior wall board. Overall the 2x6 became an unnecessary and expensive overkill to the home buyer. At 16 inch spacing the cost skyrocketed when you consider the additional cost of the 2x6s, and the need for extended door and window jams an additional two inches in the outside walls.

Later in the last century building codes required heat loss analyses of the new home construction before issuing a building permit. Essentially the heat loss analysis determine the total BTU heat lost relative to wall space, windows, wall construction material, and the type and quantity of insulation used. Heat loss can be reduced in several ways such as:

Using higher E value windows
Installing better insulated doors rather than solid wood doors
Using blown-in insulation in the walls and attic
Adding insulation outside on top of the sheathing such as soft foil or structural Styrofoam
Pack insulation around window and door jams

Although most of the industry has reverted back to 2x4 outside wall construction, 2x6 walls are still common in the regions of severe winter weather. If you are planning a new home or addition to an existing home I recommend the use of 2x4 construction in warmer climates and 2x6 in colder climate areas. The long run cost saving for getting as much insulation in the outside walls as possible will be offset by the energy saving in a few years.

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