Value Engineering

By Kenton Shepard

“Value Engineering” is the term used to describe enhanced-efficiency rough framing methods for building construction.

Wall Framing

Wood and steel wall framing members act as a thermal bridge in transmitting heat through building walls. Value engineering uses two methods of reducing heat transfer from thermal bridging.

1. A thermal break is a layer of insulation which interrupts the conduction of heat through framing members to the outside.
2. Reducing the number of framing members in the building envelope. By installing studs on 24-inch centers instead of 16-inch centers, fewer studs are used, which means a greater percentage of the overall exterior wall cavity will be filled with insulation.

Reducing Waste

Designing buildings in 2-foot increments helps reduce waste, since most construction materials come in even numbered lengths.

In addition to improving energy-efficiency, these methods uses less wood, which saves trees and helps to move us toward a more sustainable future.

Raised-heel Trusses

Framing a roof with engineered trusses requires less wood and labor than using conventional framing methods. Trusses are built in a shop under controlled conditions and trucked to the site. Once installed, they rest only on the exterior walls. Although conventional trusses don’t allow much room above the outside walls for insulation, raised-heel trusses can be used to provide more room for insulation.

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