Below is a brief overview of the most common methods and materials used in building a new-home:

Traditional stick framing

This system gets its name from the fact that workers used to assemble the skeletal frame of the home, stick by stick, on-site, using lumber cut to various sizes. It’s also sometimes referred to as platform framing, due to the fact that builders used to construct the first-floor platform on the foundation, then frame the first-story walls, add the second-floor platform, build the second story walls and then lastly, add the roof framing.

Having been used by the American home building industry for many years now, new-home construction has become standardized around the reliable, tried and tested stick-built framing method.

Light-gauge steel

Similar to a stick-built home but with metal rods instead of wooden sticks, homes made from light-gauge steel – when properly engineered – won’t burn, shrink, rot or provide fodder for termites, and can be much stronger than a wooden framed building. Also, because it doesn’t shrink or warp, you don’t have to worry about drywall cracks.

However, steel homes cost more to build and there are precious few construction companies with builders who are skilled enough to work with it, let alone have the right tools for the job.

Modular homes

Using conventional stick framing, a modular home still has to conform to the same building codes as a home built on-site, and holds its value just as well. Built in a factory setting and finished on the inside, the homes are then trucked to the site and put in place with a crane, before the local construction company or general contractor puts them together and adds finishing touches.

Structured insulated panels

An SIP is basically a sandwich of rigid foam insulation between oriented strand board (OSB) that results in a structural panel. Coming with a pre-cut window and door openings, along with conduit for electrical wiring, these panels are used for walls and ceilings and can be combined to create nearly any home design. Assembled by specially trained crews on site, these panels are typically used to cover a traditional timber frame, or post-and-beam structure, however they can be self-supporting, too.

Concrete

Arguably the world’s most commonly used building material, concrete is not often used to build single-family homes in the U.S. and in those homes that do use it, the walls are invariably constructed from masonry units (CMU’s), or insulated concrete forms (ICF’s). Then, wood is used to frame floors, ceilings, interior walls and roofs.

Masonry

Commonly used for walls and retaining walls, masonry is a type of raw material that is exceptionally tough and provides great compressive strength to make a building last for many, many years.

If you’re thinking of building your own home, schedule a consultation with a local, professional remodeling company who can help turn your dream of owning your own, custom-built house, into a reality.

Novak Remodeling is your construction company for alll your home remodeling needs. Whether you look to convert your garage into a beautiful ADU or are looking for bathroom remodeling contractors, contact us today.