This article is a resource for you to reference to better understand all the pieces that comprise a modern home.
Technology is the heart of modern design. As markets grow, pivot, and invent; architects follow in suit to deploy accessible building systems for better spaces. From the turn of the 19th century with the genesis of a market for plate glass and steel frames, modernity became the evolving term to refer to the use of the new technology. Better windows, bigger spaces- taller and wider, and more beautiful natural materials.
Today, recent innovations such as air tightness, air quality control, energy efficiency, wood products that minimize waste, engineered wood, and a smaller labor force are all dynamic pieces that change the modern homes of today.
House framing; LSL Studs
House framing; Metal Studs
House framing, Steel beams and shearwalls.
House framing with Engineered Wood Beams; LSL, Gluelam
House framing with Flooring Systems; Open Joists, I-Joists, CLT, Decking, Post Tension Concrete
House framing; Connecting Framing with Steel
Glass spans and operability
Large Format Tile; Porcelain Slabs, Solid Surface, and Terrazo
Pressure Balancing; Managing Air Quality in a Modern Home. What is Passive House?
Energy Efficiency in the Modern Home
Data Management
Stairs; Welded Metal, open risers, CLT treads
Modern Siding; GFRC Panels, Fiber Board Products, Metal Cladding, ACM, Classic Natural Finishes, Fake Finishes
Water Efficiency
Water Shedding and Drainage
Roofing Materials, EPDM, PVC, Green Roofs with Vegetation
Construction Methods; Pre-Fabrication, Modular, Etc.
1 - House Framing; LSL Studs
Laminated Strand Lumber is an engineered stick that is used in place of 2x4 or 2x6 in conventional wall framing. It is made by bonding together wood flakes with adhesive under high pressure and temperature. The flakes are pressed together with heat—using a steam injection press—and bonded by adhesives. In the case of LSL, flaked wood strands—the same as the raw material used for oriented strand board (OSB)—are blended with a waterproof adhesive (called isocyanate) to form billets that can be cut to a range of sizes. While more costly than standard #2 SPF wood framing studs, LSL is straighter and can be used to ensure flatter walls. LSL is prone to water damage and must be covered on a job site. Reputable brands like TimberStrand by Weyerhaueser are a good LSL product.
2. House framing; Metal Studs
When building in an urban area, you may find that you are limited to metal framing for your design.Metal studs have been around for nearly a century, but are gaining popularity in urban environments where laborers are used to working with metal. Unlike wood, metal studs are not susceptible to warping, twisting, or rotting, making them more durable over time. They are more fire resistant as well.
3. House Framing; Steel Beams and Shear Walls
Do I really need steel beams in my house? We have been asked this many times. Folks are often surprised when the heavyweight steel beams show up on the framing plans, and we begin to feel like we're suddenly designing a skyscraper. Often, steel ends up as an economical solution for very large openings. This is because steel can resolve structural challenges that would be much more difficult and time consuming for builders to work out with lumber. Steel beams are often seen in the framing of garage, great rooms, part of assemblies with large windows, and cantilevers.
For renovations, you might want to knock down a wall to open a room up- replacing a structural wall with a steel beam can accomplish this. Homeguides advises this additional steel beam could cost $6-10k for materials and labor. See their article on the cost to remove a wall here.
Additionally, vertical tube steel is often a godsend for creating rooms with tall ceilings, sweeping skyline views, and heavy snow loads. Here wee see a three story steel post that is supporting the roofs heavy snow load.
4 - House framing with Engineered Wood Beams; LVL, Gluelam
Engineered wood is now common for framing lumber. The innovation in the industry is that LVL and Gluelam is the process by which manufacturers take less desirable lumber, and bond it (laminate) to other pieces that create strong timber beams and posts. To better understand Gluelams, LVLS, and their COSTS, check out our other blog post to get a deep dive.
5 - House framing with Flooring Systems; Open Joists, I-Joists, CLT, Decking, Post Tension Concrete
Several types of flooring systems are commonly used in residential construction, including open joists, I-joists, cross-laminated timber (CLT), decking, and post-tensioned concrete.
Open Joists: Open joists, also known as open-web joists, are a type of engineered wood joist designed to provide strong and lightweight support for floors. They consist of an open-web configuration, where the joists have a webbing of oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood between top and bottom chords. This design allows for the installation of utilities (wiring, plumbing, etc.) within the joist cavities, making it easier to route services throughout the house. Open joists are often used for spans where dimensional lumber would not provide sufficient support. Usually costing more than I joist, you will see open joist used where running ductwork or extra large spaces area- garage, bonus room, etc. One product we like is by Tri-Force.
I-Joists: I-joists, or engineered I-beams, are another popular choice for flooring systems. They consist of two horizontal flanges made of solid lumber or laminated veneer lumber (LVL), connected by a vertical web made of OSB or plywood. I-joists offer high strength-to-weight ratios, allowing for longer spans and reduced deflection compared to traditional dimensional lumber. They are commonly used in residential construction due to their efficiency and versatility. Most new homes will utilize some brand of 'I-Joist' for floor framing or roof framing, where it may sit on top of exposed beams. Brands like Weyerhaeuser and Boise Cascade both have a line of products we have used before and liked.
(image of TJI Joist Series from Weyerhaeuser)
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): CLT is a modern construction material made by bonding layers of common dimensional lumber together at right angles. This cross-lamination creates a stable and sturdy panel that can be used for walls, floors, and roofs. CLT flooring systems are characterized by their strength, fire resistance, and potential for rapid construction. CLT panels can be prefabricated with openings for services, making installation easier.
As a building material, CLT is pricey. It is a new industry material that is being driven by the Western US demand for wood framed multi-family, and other fireproof type 3 construction projects that look beautiful with natural wood materials.
Decking: Decking refers to a wood product that is roughly 1-2" thick that is used for flooring and roofs. Similiar to CLT, decking generally refers to a system of single timbers that get installed one after another, interlocking. The product is also known as 'car decking, structural decking, roof decking, and lock-deck'. This material acts as a one stop solution for creating a floor. Instead of plywood and flooring, and concealing the ceiling below, decking is a one stop shop for exposing both sides of the finish that sits on top of beams.
One of the products we like is Lock-Deck, which can be seen here at Specialty Wood Products.
(image from Forest Products Supply Co.)
Post-Tensioned Concrete: Post-tensioned concrete floors involve using high-strength steel tendons (cables or bars) that are tensioned after the concrete has been poured and is in the process of curing. This process creates compression in the concrete, making it better able to resist the forces acting on it. Post-tensioned slabs require less concrete than traditional ones, saving builders money. Post-tensioned slabs are an expensive investment for floor slabs that help homeowners reduce the risks of concrete contraction and cracks, which inevitably costs money to repair.
Some homes use post tension concrete to have floating decks at upper levels, or looking for thin flat roof projections. It should be noted that most new construction in the US requires insulation in conditioned spaces, and that the slender profile of a concrete roof or floor will need complex design consideration to meet the requirements for thermal protection in regions of the US that get snow.
5 - House framing; Connecting Framing with Steel
Timbers and steel come together with bolted connections through flat pieces of steel to make sure homes resist hurricane winds without wavering. These connections are often visually seen from high traffic areas of the house, and can be some of the most elegant areas for design considerations.
The first option for builders looking for the easiest method of assembly are beam saddles and hangers. In this case, you see a metal seat that the beam is sitting on. These allow the builder to easily decide how to locate and assembly the connection. The effect of seeing the saddles may appear too forthcoming, bold, and industrial for some trying to achieve a more subtle engineering solution.
The next metal connection is called knife plates. This term comes from steel plates that are in the middle of the wood beam, almost like it cut through bread like a knife. The solution allows from better fire protection of the steel from warping from heat, and also an elegant display of the wood members interfacing directly with each other, and connected visually by small bolts, and the slender metallic plate in the center of the wood member. Knife plates can be a stunning visual display of modern engineering in timber framing. that is a worthwhile pursuit for the additional cost.
(Image from TimberFireSafety.org)
(image from Journal of Light Construction)
Flitch Plates are the third connection we will discuss. These are metal plates than connect two pieces of wood to increase their ability to span longer distances without bending. In some cases, design studios like Bates Masi + Architects are seen using flitch plates as a modern design element to visually designate space, and functionally create gaps in the wood frame to facilitate a unique way to bring light and guide movement through the space.
(image from The Contemporist)
7 - Glass spans and operability
Bright open rooms with edges that can disappear, letting us live closer to nature and remove boundaries from our life- That is what well placed large span glass does. Getting familiar with some of the ways windows open can help you make budget considerations for this pricey design feature. Whether you want your glass doors to disappear into the pocket of the wall is a five-figure cost consideration.
French Doors (Double Glass Sliders). Double doors that open out into recreational areas.
(image from Marvin Window)
Bypass Sliders refer to two panels that can slide in front of each other for egress. Sliders are very cost effective when utilized in standard sizes offered my manufacturers.
(image from Stile Windows. )
Folding Doors
Known by a few names- accordion windows, folding windows, and pivoting windows are all names for glass panels that bi-parting and can be slid on a track to stack in a series, creating wide openings that extend the range of the room they serve.
(image from Panda Windows)
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