Advanced Framing and Insulation- Wenatchee Home Inspection Services

Washington State has some of the most progressive energy codes in the US. But sometimes I have to wonder though why they allow certain practices.

I work in Eastern Washington and by Washington State standards we are designated as climate zone 2. By that designation we are required to have R-49 insulation in flat ceilings and R-38 for vaulted.                                                        

But wait there is an exception ( got to love codes there is almost always an exception). You can use R-38 on a flat ceiling if you use advanced framing methods during construction. This is in essence is limiting the amount of wood down to a minimum so you can install more insulation in wall cavities.

So what they do is increase stud spacing from 16 inches to 24 inches on-center.  For walls supporting one floor as with a non-bearing gable end walls on the first floor of a 2-story house, studs can be spaced up to 24 inches on-center when not using “Utility grade” studs.  Corner framing is reduced to just two studs.

Structural headers are then properly sized or not even required in non-bearing walls, including most interior walls and gable end walls with only non-bearing trusses directly above. This again allows more insulation to be placed in the walls creating better thermal performance.
Now all of this is based on many factors including grid placement of windows/doors and window glazing area.

But my thought is why we even allow R-38 as a minimum in my zone. Then couple this with the fact that fiberglass is the insulation of choice in my area which really compounds how this all performs. If the purpose to create better performance shouldn’t we strive for truly better performance.

Now here is from a new home inspection when hitting the minimum was difficult, even with advanced framing.

Ancora Imparo

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

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