Does the type of wood used in framing a home matter? (light, steel)

[evilnewbie]

Does it? If so, what kind of wood should people be looking for in a new construction? I hear builders prefer light wood like spruce and pine...

[harry chickpea]

IIRC, pine is considered lighter and stronger, but often has more knots. I wouldn't be concerned one way or the other with either of those two. When you get into heritage construction techniques and pole barns, there are some woods traditionally used for the purlins and major framing members, but balloon frame homes are so standardized that about the only things to be concerned about are fastening techniques and general workmanship. The wood is already dried, so any warping is a known factor to the carpenter, and the strength is as much a result of the geometry and skins as it is the wood (or steel) used. Take a steel stud sometime and flex it. It has very little resistance to getting bent, but when attached to the sheathing is very strong.

[Barking Spider]

For the most part, you are at the mercy of what kind the local suppliers carry. Wood for home construction is rated, and the framing lumber has to meet those standards.

Balloon framing is really not used much any more, by the way.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by Barking Spider

For the most part, you are at the mercy of what kind the local suppliers carry. Wood for home construction is rated, and the framing lumber has to meet those standards.

Balloon framing is really not used much any more, by the way.

Good catch. Platform and balloon framing are essentially the same on a single story house, but platform has become more popular with multistory housing.

[texdav]

As far as standard wood ;Yellow pine is considered the strongest for framing.