The document discusses various green framing options for building construction, highlighting benefits like cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, health considerations, and environmental concerns. It compares alternative framing systems such as conventional wood, steel, and insulated panels, outlining their pros and cons in areas like energy efficiency, adaptability, and life cycle value. The presentation emphasizes the importance of thoughtful choice in building materials to enhance sustainability and efficiency in construction.

1. Welcome to
Green Framing Options
Presenter: Wally Geer
go2wallyworld@hotmail.com

3. Some Sincere Thanks to:
 The Center for Sustainable Energy
 U.S. Green Building Council, C4 Chapter
 National Association of Home Builder’s Research
Center
 University College of Dublin
 MosArt Architects, Dublin
 Laura’s Painting, Ojai, CA.
 Greymar Associates, Ventura, CA.
 Sonoma State University

4. In Defense of Wood
 There is an abundant supply of vendors and subcontractors
 It has relatively few design & structural constraints
 It’s cost effective
 It’s beautiful

5. Why Chose an Alternative
Framing System ?
 Site & Structural Constraints
 Health Related Issues
 Environmental Concerns
 Energy Efficiency
 Life Cycle Value
 Fire Safety
 Competitive Advantage

6. Site & Structural Constraints
 Lack of Staging Area
 Complex topography that will not allow conventional
movement of building materials
 Unique Soils of Geological Conditions
 Short Building Season

7. Health Related Issues
 Mold
 Building Material Toxins
 Specific Health Issues of the Occupants
 Healthier Families & Higher Workplace Productivity

8. Environmental Concerns
 Concerns over renewable resources
 Concerns over “Cradle to Cradle”
or “Cradle to Grave” issues
 Concerns related
to “Carbon Footprint”
 Concerns over material
waste and Land Fill waste

9. Energy Efficiency
 “Tight” Building Envelope
 Passive Solar Design Benefits
 Life Cycle Energy Savings
 High Performance Building Assemblies

10. Life Cycle Value
“Life Cycle Value”
is the total Cost of INITIAL CONSTUCTION +
ENERGY CONSUMPTION COSTS over the
functional life of a building

11. Cost Comparison Construction Costs of a 50% ZEB
Office Building, Kiel, Germany
(Building Shell + Tenant Improvements - Converted to U.S. Dollars)
Conventional Sustainable Difference
Frame 48.28 53.82 11.46%
Envelope 83.65 101.27 21.06%
Roof 15.20 15.11 -0.58%
Walls/Doors 12.78 12.90 0.95%
Finishes 33.48 32.24 -3.70%
Services 92.18 86.64 -6.01%
Site works 7.04 7.02 -0.37%
TOTALS 292.62 309.00 5.60%

12. Energy Savings
Office Building Type Energy
Conventional 25 KWH/ft2/year
Sustainable 10 KWH/ft2/year
Savings 15 KWH/ft2/year
For a 250,000 Office Building, that’s a
Savings of over $350,000 per year

13. Fire Safety
 Desire to have a “Fire Safe” home
 Lower Insurance Rates
 Higher resale value in “Fire Country”

14. Competitive Advantage

15. Why NOT to chose an Alternative
Framing System
 Lower Initial Cost of Structural Shell Construction
 Because you can gain “LEED Credits”
 If there are limited options in your market area of
suppliers or qualified subcontractors
 Because your flaky unlicensed Brother-in-Law claims
he is knowledgeable of straw bale construction

16. DON’T think “Framing Systems”,
THINK “Building Envelope Assemblies”

17. When evaluating Building Envelope
Assemblies, consider:
 Structural System
 Adaptability of Floor & Roof Diaphragms
 Exterior Building Skin
 Interior Building Skin
 Insulation
 Adaptability of Plumbing & Electrical within the
system
 Design & Structural Constraints of the Assembly

18. When comparing Options,
consider
 Design & Structural Constraints
 Energy Efficiency
 Environmental Attributes
 Initial Construction Cost
 Life Cycle Value
 Fire Safety
 Adaptability of Building Skin Options
 Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing
 Availability of Raw Materials
 Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors

19. What are the Options
 Conventional Wood Framing
 FSC Certified Wood Framing
 Light Gauge Steel Framing
 Red Iron Steel Framing
 Structurally Insulated Panels (aka “SIPs”)
 Insulated Concrete Forms (aka “ICFs”)
 Timber Frame Structural Systems
 Straw Bale Construction

20. Conventional Wood Framing
Positive Attributes:
 There is an abundant supply of vendors and subcontractors
 Relatively few design & structural constraints
 It’s cost effective
Potential Problems:
 Rot, Mold & Termites
 Low Fire Resistance
 In consistent Quality

21. Conventional Wood Framing
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 8
Energy Efficiency 4
Environmental Attributes 5
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost 8
effective)
Life Cycle Value 5
Fire Safety 4
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 8
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 7
Availability of Raw Materials 8
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 8

22. Forest Stewardship Council (aka “FSC”)
Wood Framing
Positive Attributes:
 Relatively few design & structural constraints
 Highly Environmentally Friendly
 Potential Marketing benefit for builders & developers
Potential Problems:
 Rot, Mold & Termites
 Low Fire Resistance

23. FSC Wood Framing
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 8
Energy Efficiency 4
Environmental Attributes 8
Initial Construction Cost 8
Life Cycle Value 5
Fire Safety 4
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 8
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 7
Availability of Raw Materials 6
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 8

24. Light Gauge Steel Framing

25. Light Gauge Steel Framing
Positive Attributes:
 Excellent structural characteristics
 Readily Available Material
 Highly adaptable for future alterations
 Eliminates the possibility of termite damage
 Highly Environmentally Friendly*
 Partially mitigates potential mold problems

26. Light Gauge Steel Framing
Positive Structural Attributes

27. Light Gauge Steel Framing
Something Old & Something New

28. Light Gauge Steel Framing
Potential Negative Attributes :
 More costly than wood framing
 Limited number Requires an knowledgeable architectural &
 engineering team of qualified subcontractors
 Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
 Requires a knowledgeable architectural &
engineering team

29. Light Gauge Steel Framing
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 8
Energy Efficiency 2
Environmental Attributes 4 to 8
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost effective) 6
Life Cycle Value 7
Fire Safety 6
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 7
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 6
Availability of Raw Materials 8
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 4

30. Red Iron Steel Framing

31. Red Iron Steel Framing

32. Red Iron Steel Framing

33. Red Iron Steel Framing

34. Red Iron Steel Framing

35. Red Iron Steel Framing
Positive Attributes:
 Excellent structural characteristics
 Readily Available Material
 Eliminates the possibility of termite damage
 Highly Environmentally Friendly*
 Partially mitigates potential mold problems
 Can be potentially very cost effective

36. Red Iron Steel Framing
Potential Negative Attributes :
 Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
 Some Design constraints
 Potential Thermal Bridging Problems

37. Red Iron Steel Framing
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 6
Energy Efficiency 2
Environmental Attributes 4 to 8
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost effective) 8
Life Cycle Value 7
Fire Safety 8
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 5
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 6
Availability of Raw Materials 8
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 8

38. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)

39. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)

40. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)

41. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)

42. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)

43. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)
Positive Attributes:
 Excellent structural characteristics
 Highly Energy Efficient
 Highly adaptable for future alterations
 Substantially mitigates the possibility of termite damage
 Highly Environmentally Friendly*
 Substantially mitigates potential mold problems*
 Excellent Quality Control due to factory production

44. Structurally Insulated Panels
(aka “SIPs”)
Potential Negative Attributes :
•Some Limited Design constraints
•Potential Building Department related issues
•Limited availability of qualified subcontractors
•Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
•Requires a knowledgeable architectural &
engineering team

45. Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs)
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 7
Energy Efficiency 9
Environmental Attributes 5 to 9
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost effective) 6
Life Cycle Value 9
Fire Safety 7
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 6
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 5
Availability of Raw Materials 8
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 3

46. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

47. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

48. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

49. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

50. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

51. Insulated Concrete Forms
Floor & Roof Options
•Dimensional Lumber
•Light Gauge Steel
•Dietrich “Trade Ready” Joists
•Hambro Bar Joist System
•“Lite Deck”

52. Lite Deck

53. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)
Positive Attributes:
•Excellent structural characteristics
•Highly Fire Resistant
•Highly Energy Efficient
•Substantially mitigates the possibility of termite damage
•Highly Environmentally Friendly*
•Substantially mitigates potential mold problems*
•Excellent Quality Control due to factory production
•VERY quiet interiors

54. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

55. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)

56. Insulated Concrete Forms
(aka “ICFs”)
Potential Negative Attributes :
•Some Limited Design constraints
•Potential Building Department related issues
•Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
•More costly than conventional wood framing, but
with a positive payback in energy savings
•Requires a knowledgeable architectural &
engineering team

57. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 7
Energy Efficiency 10
Environmental Attributes 7 to 9
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost 7
effective)
Life Cycle Value 9
Fire Safety 10
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 7
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 7
Availability of Raw Materials 9
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 7

58. Timber Frame Structural Systems

59. Timber Frame Structural Systems

60. Timber Frame Structural Systems

61. Timber Frame Structural Systems

62. Timber Frame Structural Systems

63. Timber Frame Structural Systems
Positive Attributes:
•Excellent structural characteristics
•Highly Energy Efficient*
•Highly Environmentally Friendly*
•Excellent Quality Control due to factory
production

64. Timber Frame Structural Systems
Potential Negative Attributes :
•Some Limited Design constraints
•Potential Building Department related issues
•Limited availability of qualified subcontractors
•Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
•Requires a knowledgeable architectural &
• engineering team

65. Timber Frame Structural System
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 6
Energy Efficiency 6 to 9
Environmental Attributes 7 to 9
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost effective) 4
Life Cycle Value 6
Fire Safety 6
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 7
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 7
Availability of Raw Materials 6
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 3

66. Straw Bale

67. Straw Bale

68. Straw Bale

69. Straw Bale

70. Straw Bale

71. Straw Bale
Positive Attributes:
•Highly Energy Efficient
•Highly Environmentally Friendly
•VERY quiet interiors
•More fire resistant than some other options
•A fun way to build a house if you have
20 friends that like to work for free and live
on pizza & beer on the weekends.

72. Straw Bale
Potential Negative Attributes :
•Some Limited Design constraints
•Potential Building Department related issues
•Potential problems with other trades (M, P & E)
•Very costly if professionally constructed
•Requires a knowledgeable architectural &
engineering team

73. Straw Bale
A Metric Analysis
Category Score
Design & Structural Constraints 4
Energy Efficiency 10
Environmental Attributes 10
Initial Construction Cost (10 being most cost effective) 3
Life Cycle Value 8
Fire Safety 7
Adaptability of Building Skin Options 4
Adaptability of Electrical & Plumbing 6
Availability of Raw Materials 9
Availability of Qualified Labor & Subcontractors 2

74. Why Chose an Alternative
Framing System ?
•Site & Structural Constraints
•Health Related Issues
•Environmental Concerns
•Energy Efficiency
•Life Cycle Value
•Fire Safety
•Competitive Advantage

75. Environmental Concerns
What is Green ?

76. What is Green ?

77. What is Green ?

78. Green Certification Standards

79. Environmentally Friendly
Skin Materials
A Few Options:
 Paperless drywall
 Natural Earth Plaster
 American Clay
 Eco Stucco

80. Natural Earth Plaster

81. American Clay

82. Eco Stucco

83. Closing Comments
 There no one magic solution to any building design
 Do your homework, pick wisely
 Respect “single source vendors”, but take them with
a grain of salt. After all, they have a hammer
 Appreciate that a building’s structural shell is only
one working component within a synergistic whole
 Have fun & on behalf of the Center for Sustainable
Energy, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY