Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
264 Section 2 Foundations and Framing
11.12 Advanced Framing
Advanced framing is the term APA-The Engineered
Wood Association uses for what was first called opti-
mum value engineering (OVE). In recent years,
advanced framing has become the more common name
for this system. It is a system of framing using 2×6 studs
spaced 24″ OC and using structural OSB or plywood as
sheathing. Using this system brings these benefits: ■
■ Reduces material usage. Board footage of
framing lumber can be up to 10% less than with
conventional framing ■
■ Reduces labor costs. Fewer studs, joists, rafters,
and plates equate to less assembly time ■
■ Complies with structural requirements of building
codes ■
■ Builds more energy efficient homes to meet energy
codes. An increase of wall cavity insulation content,
from approximately 75% with conventional framing,
to approximately 85% with advanced framing
Some carpenters choose to use some of the ele-
ments of advanced framing, but not all of them. See
Figure 11‑42.
2×6 wood studs spaced
24 inches on center
(vs. 2×4 wood studs spaced
16 inches on center).
Framing is in-line or
stacked.
Single top plates (vs. double top plates in
conventional framing).
Single headers (vs. double headers and
cripples in conventional framing).
Insulated three-stud
corners or two-stud corner
with ladder blocking.
Walls continuously sheathed
with plywood or oriented strand
board (OSB).
Use of jack studs and cripples
around openings only where
required.
APA-The Engineered Wood Association
Figure 11‑42. Advanced framing techniques may include some or all of the details shown here.