Thank you for explaining the diff between balloon & platform framing. my house is 123 years old, and I have some major repair, remodel, and refurbishing ahead of me. I now know that my home has balloon framing; settlement, weight, and age have had their effects on floor grade, especially 2nd story.
Thankyou for the explanation. I only heard of this term today. My Dad was a builder and always did deck framing. There was an old apartment building nearby that had a fire last night. 2 fatalities. One person on facebook mentioned that a contributing factor was balloon framing. So sad that when they converted this old hotel into apartments they didn't install firebreaks in those studs.
Thanks for the subscription, I appreciate it. If you have questions that I don’t have videos about, I can probably find out some info on it to help out. Thanks again!
Back in December 2015 two weeks before Christmas lost every in a house fire. Was a rental property, 3 bed 1 bath, 1½ story bungalow built in 1935 or '36, balloon framed. Fire started in the basement at a splice between the original knob and tube wiring and some romex added later on. It was around 10pm as I was dozing off on the couch watching TV when the power went out and I heard what sounded like a chimney fire in the wall and windows shattering, a bright orange flickering glow around a wall outlet and heavy smoke in the dining room, when I crawled out to the front door flames were shooting out the roof and my entire bedroom was involved, no smoke detectors sounded. I was treated for smoke inhalation, hypothermia and frostbite in my toes. I thank my lucky stars because had I been asleep I wouldn't be here to tell the tale.
I’m not sure about the rigidity of one over the other but I can tell you that 20 foot tall studs are expensive if you wanted to balloon frame a house. I should do a more in-depth video on the topic to look at pros and cons. Thanks for the view
We have a ballon frame house from the 1860’s. We would like to remove a load bearing wall on an outside wall which also has an addition added to it. How can we add a beam to support it. It is a span of about 12 feet. It would entail removing 6 studs. Can’t get an engineer with any experience in balloon framing to come out. Any suggestions?
Maybe I didn't pay close enough attention to the video but I didn't see how the joists ends were supported. I too encountered this "Balloon" style of structure during a total old home remodel. I'm not sure if I was more confused or concerned by it because of structural integrity, maybe both and then it not having any "Fire Stop" between floors was troubling. After having the plaster and lathe removed and then looking at what was old growth rough hewn studs I had no idea at the time "WHY" the joists between the 1st and 2nd floor were not supported like they are today by using some early form of 2"X 12" joist hanger brackets. Instead back then they used a 1"X4" board, called a ledger or ribband nailed into all the vertical studs that supported all the 2nd floor joists between the 1st and 2nd floor. Basically the whole 2nd floor rests on those 1"X 4" boards nailed into true 2"X4" rough hewn studs. Unlike today's Pine, it has to be some of the hardest wood ever used in any home construction. Thankyou for the video. I hope this helps a little.
Your correct, usually on balloon framing the second floor is just nailed to the studs with a small "ledger" board under them. I also worry about the structural integrity of those types of building.
Thank you for explaining the diff between balloon & platform framing. my house is 123 years old, and I have some major repair, remodel, and refurbishing ahead of me. I now know that my home has balloon framing; settlement, weight, and age have had their effects on floor grade, especially 2nd story.
I’m so glad it was helpful. Good luck with the repair and remodel on your house, those old houses can be quite an adventure!
Thank you! This is so helpful, i'm studying to be a real estate agent and this made my course material make so much more sense
I'm glad it helped!
same
I appreciate seeing the fireblock wall framing. Seeing it as an example is different than in a downloaded book. Thanks.
Glad it helped!
Thanks! Studying for NC Building Contractor License. Like your motivational suggestion
Thanks so much for the kind words and for watching
Great video. Quick and straight to the info :)
Thank you
Thankyou for the explanation. I only heard of this term today. My Dad was a builder and always did deck framing. There was an old apartment building nearby that had a fire last night. 2 fatalities. One person on facebook mentioned that a contributing factor was balloon framing. So sad that when they converted this old hotel into apartments they didn't install firebreaks in those studs.
That is terribly sad.
I subscribed to your channel. I'm sure I'll have questions along the way. I'll bee watching your videos. Thanks again.
Thanks for the subscription, I appreciate it. If you have questions that I don’t have videos about, I can probably find out some info on it to help out. Thanks again!
Back in December 2015 two weeks before Christmas lost every in a house fire. Was a rental property, 3 bed 1 bath, 1½ story bungalow built in 1935 or '36, balloon framed. Fire started in the basement at a splice between the original knob and tube wiring and some romex added later on. It was around 10pm as I was dozing off on the couch watching TV when the power went out and I heard what sounded like a chimney fire in the wall and windows shattering, a bright orange flickering glow around a wall outlet and heavy smoke in the dining room, when I crawled out to the front door flames were shooting out the roof and my entire bedroom was involved, no smoke detectors sounded. I was treated for smoke inhalation, hypothermia and frostbite in my toes. I thank my lucky stars because had I been asleep I wouldn't be here to tell the tale.
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear about that , but I’m very thankful you are alive to tell about it
Thanks for the clear explanation.
Thanks for the info!
I get the difference but is one better than the other? To me balloon framing seems more sturdy for a whole house to have vs platform.
I’m not sure about the rigidity of one over the other but I can tell you that 20 foot tall studs are expensive if you wanted to balloon frame a house.
I should do a more in-depth video on the topic to look at pros and cons.
Thanks for the view
How do I add windows and doors to balloon framing?
Treat it like platform framing but make sure you put in fire blocking above and below where the windows and doors go in
¡Gracias! Un saludo desde Argentina! Thank you!
De Nada
We have a ballon frame house from the 1860’s. We would like to remove a load bearing wall on an outside wall which also has an addition added to it. How can we add a beam to support it. It is a span of about 12 feet. It would entail removing 6 studs. Can’t get an engineer with any experience in balloon framing to come out. Any suggestions?
I would ask an architect this question. It will require some math to go into the beam sizing to be able to handle the loads that will be put on it.
Great video. Thanks. Is balloon framing different that "post & beam" framing?
It is really the same, just a different type of building. Balloon is mainly houses and Post and beam is more barns or bigger buildings.
@@Trevkongable Thanks for the reply. Great video.
Maybe I didn't pay close enough attention to the video but I didn't see how the joists ends were supported. I too encountered this "Balloon" style of structure during a total old home remodel. I'm not sure if I was more confused or concerned by it because of structural integrity, maybe both and then it not having any "Fire Stop" between floors was troubling. After having the plaster and lathe removed and then looking at what was old growth rough hewn studs I had no idea at the time "WHY" the joists between the 1st and 2nd floor were not supported like they are today by using some early form of 2"X 12" joist hanger brackets. Instead back then they used a 1"X4" board, called a ledger or ribband nailed into all the vertical studs that supported all the 2nd floor joists between the 1st and 2nd floor. Basically the whole 2nd floor rests on those 1"X 4" boards nailed into true 2"X4" rough hewn studs. Unlike today's Pine, it has to be some of the hardest wood ever used in any home construction. Thankyou for the video. I hope this helps a little.
Your correct, usually on balloon framing the second floor is just nailed to the studs with a small "ledger" board under them. I also worry about the structural integrity of those types of building.
I want to know, how replace an old (1940) hard floors with balloons frame. Thank you
That is not an easy task. They essentially have to be cut at the wall.
thank you for the explanation !!
You are welcome!
Super helpful, thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you very much, I subscribed it was an awesome video
Thanks for the sub!
Amazing video, gave ya a thumbs up even though I didn't like the music in the background, found it distracting.
Thanks for the thumbs up, I’m trying to do better with the music so it doesn’t detract from the content. Thanks for the view
Thanks!
Welcome!
thaaaaanks
Your Welcome
Use photos of diagrams too!
Great advice, I appreciate it!