What is balloon framing?

A balloon frame structure is a timber frame structure, where the studs run continuously from the sole plate to the rafter plate. The studs are typically a soft pine dimensional lumber. These studs are placed 16 inches on center, OC, to accommodate the 4 foot increments of the sheathing material.

What is balloon framing in carpentry?

Instead of homes being built like a bookshelf, homes became built more like a house of cards, with each floor separated by a floor system, and walls built from the 8′ studs that we all try to shove into the back of our sedans today. So that’s why we say Balloon Framing.

Why is it called balloon framing?

These materials were used to build lightweight buildings with nailed frames made of dimensional lumber. It was said to have been called balloon construction because the buildings were so light they looked like they would float away.

What is the difference between platform and balloon framing?

The central difference between balloon and platform framing is that the studs in a balloon frame extend from the foundation to the rafters, whereas in a platform frame, the studs are independent on each storey.

How do I know if my house has a balloon framing?

As a homeowner you might be wondering how to tell if your house is balloon frame construction? The most common characteristics of balloon frame constructed houses are that the windows are stacked. Meaning that the windows on the second floor are directly above those on the first floor.

Is balloon framing better?

However, balloon framing does offer some advantages as well. It can be useful when creating two story spaces and you are less likely to have cracking develop in your interior and exterior finishes because of the minimal amount of vertical shrinking that occurs with this method.

How do you identify a balloon frame construction?

In a balloon frame, the 2nd story subfloor is held up on the edges by a ledger board instead of resting on the top plate in a platform frame. If you look around the edges of the 2nd story subfloor or attic subfloor in a balloon frame house, you’d be able drop a penny down to the basement in the stud bay.

Why is balloon framing no longer used?

Firefighters who frequently respond to fires in the area usually instantly recognize if the home is balloon-framed and take proper precautions. “The problem with balloon framing is that it creates a lot of open chase way,” Erwin said. “Anytime there are empty vertical spaces, there is an increased fire hazard.”

What is the problem with balloon framing?

Balloon framed houses will have cavities. Balloon framed houses are more problematic than platform framed houses when it comes to rodent infestations. The reason for this is because rodents don’t need to chew holes through various building materials in order to move from one part of the house to another.

What are the disadvantages of balloon framing?

The two major cons of balloon framing are that long studs are less efficient to erect then shorter ones used in platform framing and the continuous spaces between studs act as chimneys during a fire, unless closed off with a fire-stop.

What type of construction is balloon frame?

Balloon framing is a style of wood-house building that uses long, vertical 2″ x 4″s for the exterior walls. These long “studs” extend uninterrupted, from the sill on top of the foundation, all the way up to the roof.

How do you identify balloon framing?