What Room Heights Use Interior And Exterior Materials Most Efficiently?

[zowie123]

Hello,

 

I've seen a lot of info about the efficiency of 24" increments when it comes to length and width, but not a lot about building height.  

 

Pre-cut 8' and 9' studs are generally 3" shorter to accommodate 2 top plates and bottom plate minus floor and ceiling thickness, this works well for 8' and 9' drywall efficiency-- I"m not too sure about sheathing. 

 

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has some sort of efficiency rule of thumb for heights after 9'?  It seems like 12 would work on the same principal, 14' and 16' as well.  So perhaps 2' rule works for height as well-- with 9' being the exception.

 

Which leads me to:

Part 2

 

At what height should a wall be split in two?   Are 16' 2x6s more efficient then using shorter lumber for a 16' height?  

 

Thanks very much for considering

 

Cheers! Barry

 

 

 

 

[MPDesign]

Hi Barry,

 

I would agree 2' increments is what lumber sizing follows. 

In regards to your question about wall height of 16' (get out the scaffolding)

I think shear wall rules would apply, but requirements by location may differ. ie: seismic and high wind zones.

I would get it engineered to make certain it meets local codes.

 

my 2 cents.