If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, or even if you’re hiring a professional, it’s important to be able to recognize the difference between mediocre and excellent lumber framing work. Unfortunately, when it comes to framing, there are several common mistakes that even experts make. It’s important to follow certain principles when it comes time for lumber framing in building your Gaithersburg home. Read on to find out valuable tips that can really pay off!
It’s important to follow certain principles when it comes time for lumber framing in building your Gaithersburg home.
Five Basic Lumber Framing Principles to Remember
- All types of wood tend to expand and contract. Remember to properly space out your panels in order to avoid buckling.
- Practice consistent building. If your alignment, framing, materials, spacing, spans, gluing, and/or nailing are inconsistent or out of place, you can create not just problems with the general appearance of your home, but also serious structural problems as well.
- Pay special attention to your housewraps, shingling of underlayments, and flashings, and use vapor retarders in order to prevent moisture-related issues.
- Employ load path continuity by using continuous sheathing and proper fasteners. This helps to protect your structure against high winds.
- Remember that wood has a strength direction. If you can keep this in mind, you will avoid problems with deflection.
Choose the Right Lumber
If you want quality construction, you need to begin with quality materials. Look for quality SPF lumber that is free of defects. There are several types of lumber that are best to use for framing in your Gaithersburg home.
- ACQ Pressure-Treated Lumber
This type of lumber is a new alternative to CCA lumber and is the greenest, most sustainable option. It has insect and fungus repellant properties and can last you for many years.
- Cedar
Cedar is great for both indoor and outdoor use, because it is naturally insect and rot resistant. It ages well and is great for a variety of uses, including framing.
- Clear Radiata Pine
This type of lumber takes stain and paint well and is beautiful and affordable for interior use.
- #2 Common Pine
If you want a knotty look without sacrificing durability, look to this type of lumber.
- And many more!
Fisher Lumber also carries T&G pine lumber, primed Windsor one lumber, poplar and oak. Ask us which type of lumber will work best for your lumber framing project in Gaithersburg!
Fisher Lumber and Hardware
Since 1894, Fisher Lumber and Hardware has been serving homeowners and professional contractors in the Maryland, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia areas with top quality lumber, building materials, tools, and accessories. Operating under the same ownership since 1947, our business has been built on our reputation with our customers. Get in touch with us today by calling 301-424-6500 or by visiting our website. Stay in touch via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google+ too!