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Converting to Advanced Framing: Learn from Experience

On-Demand Webinar

As energy codes grow increasingly stringent, builders and designers are turning to innovative construction methods that balance efficiency with performance. Advanced framing is a system of techniques that optimizes material use while improving a building's energy efficiency — without sacrificing strength, durability, or cost-effectiveness. In this webinar, APA's Warren Hamrick walks through common advanced framing techniques, their benefits, and the challenges builders typically face when transitioning away from traditional framing methods.

What you’ll learn:

  • Common advanced framing techniques used in residential and commercial construction

  • The benefits of advanced framing

  • Typical challenges builders encounter when converting to advanced framing and how to address them

What you’ll earn

  • A downloadable certificate of completion is available after completing a brief quiz

  • Participants who complete the quiz qualify for 1 AIA HSW/LU and 0.1 ICC CEU

  • CEUs and certificate(s) received upon course completion are transferrable and may be applied towards PDHs or other general CEUs/certifications, such as PE

Selected questions and answers from the webinar

  • Does advanced framing permit the use of 2x blocking in the wall cavity to be flatwise for the energy considerations?

    • Installing the wide face of the 2x blocking flat against panel joints in shear walls is a good practice for minimizing intrusion into the insulation within the wall cavity. It is a recognized practice, but it is not a requirement.

  • Is the use of a glue between studs and panels needed or desired?

    • No. APA does not recommend the use of adhesives for fastening wall or roof sheathing to framing, as this can create a situation where over-restrained wood structural panel sheathing is unable to expand into the recommended 1/8” space between panel ends and edges as they take on moisture. Over-restraining panels can increase the likelihood of thinner panels buckling out of plane. Also note that the building code prohibits adhesive attachment of shear walls in high seismic areas, since such rigid connections can fail more suddenly and catastrophically in an earthquake than mechanically fastened connections, which provide a higher level of ductility.

  • Is there any limitation for the maximum area for openings on a side of a house? The code does not address this.

    • When using the IRC, the wall bracing and other structural provisions must be met. It’s these provisions that may, in effect, impact the amount, size or location of openings.

Offered by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.

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