Exterior wall tees to interior wall - ladder framing option

[GeneDavis]

When an interior wall tees into an exterior wall, Chief X10 frames it with three studs.  The efficient way to frame these junctions is with ladder-rung cats at 24" centers, which uses a lot less lumber per tee, and permits better insulation in the exterior wall cavity.  We do cats also at exterior corners.

 

Do we have a framing option for this?  If not, should we?  I go through a job and edit the framing to be as close to the way we'll build as possible, and am weary of editing out the stud clusters and adding in the cats.

 

Quick image here to show the cats method.

[Gawdzira]

I don't have an answer for you. Hopefully I won't take this too far off topic but, when you specify that, are you calling for clips on the drywall at the corner joint?

[GeneDavis]

Without the cats, energy framing specs would call for the Simpson DS drywall stop clip, which Simpson says to use at 16" spacing or less.  We have had no drywall issues at all doing cats at 24" centers, and no DS clips.

[Gawdzira]

Good to know, thanks. I constantly have to educate my framers on how to at least make a California corner so I can keep the space open for insulation. For the t intersection I usually put a 2x6 flat with a stud on one side. Anywhere we can start to eliminate more thermal bridging makes me happy. Also, those ladder blocks are great usage for scrap material cut offs on site.

[JJohnson]

I use it often.  Electricians love not having to drill out a post.  The CRC allows it.

 

 

 

 

 

Easy to do using the "Wall Bridging" tool which is available in wall detail view.

 

[Alaskan_Son]

Yes.  We need some additional options in this regard, and we have suggested it before...