There are many building practices that have become so hard-wired into our construction practices that we are unwilling to look to new methods of doing the same old type of construction. With the current push to go green there are a lot of little practices that can be done to minimize man’s impact on this planet…not to mention the cutting out of materials will allow lower bids, which translate into a greater possibility for a greater profit margin or more work. The best part is, everything here is in line with the 2006 International Building Code for Residential Housing.

1. Use of a single top plate on walls

-Pull layout for walls in conjunction with truss layout to ensure that roof loads are directly transferred to wall framing members.

2. Use of cripples in place of solid headers above windows for non-load bearing walls

3. Window framing using minimal amounts of lumber

-Get rid of your jack studs by using metal fasteners

-Or cut a notch into your jack stud in order to make room for you sill plate; eliminates the need for cripples at each end of your sill plate.

4. Use of blue board in place of OSB sheathing

-In most areas (largely dependent on your seismic zone), one or two 4X8 sheets at each corner and every 25 feet is enough to meet structural needs/code for residential construction. Replace majority of sheeting in-between OSB sheets, and add insulation value to your house with the use of blue board.

What are the other benefits of using minimal amounts of building material?

-Insulation values, replace lumber with insulation where possible

-Less time spent on labor, which translates into less time spent on job and more money in your pocket

-Savings on material costs

There are a lot of benefits of going green with our building practices, from saving money on materials, to adding insulation value and cutting down on heating bills over the lifetime of our homes. More and more large companies will be pushing for green practices and employees who are LEED certified. Learning the small things now will pay off big as the push to go green is amplified.