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grover
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2013 11:00pm
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I found out from the lumber salesman that building my 24 x 28 with 2 x 6 walls vs 2 x 4 walls is approx $530 more. This includes the exterior wall framing and the door jamb extensions and the additional trim for the windows.
Most everyone is telling me 2 x 6 walls is not really needed because it is just a part time residence and most of the time it will set unheated in the winter. 2 x 6 walls are very uncommon in my area (Southern Indiana). We get temps down to near 0 most winters but the normal low in the dead of the winter is about 15-20 F.
Is it an unnecessary expense?
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 12:33am
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I upgraded to 2X6 for mine, its much easier to have it already than try to add it later. Its just makes the unit better for insulation, give you more room for plumbing/electrical and makes for a stronger structure.
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PatrickH
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 07:24am
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2x6 is the way to go I have had 2x4 that I furred out later to get the extra room like toyota mentioned and you can make all the jamb extensions youself.
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ShabinNo5
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 08:01am
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We actually changed our design from 2X6 down to 2X4. The reason was to capture as much interior space as possible. The Shabin is 10'x20' and located in Northern Minnesota. toyota makes a good point about wiring and plumbing. You need to take greater care to make sure that the wiring and plumbing is properly positioned to insure that they are protected from sheeting, siding and interior finishing nails.
As for your concerns about heating. Last weekend the temp was around 50 degrees, the walls are not insulated and out 4000 BTU heater had to be turned off to allow the building to cool down. I expect that once the insulation is complete heating when it is below zero will not be a problem.
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Martian
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 09:37am
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When I worked in HVAC, we learned that only 11% of your heat loss is through the walls. The majority of heat loss is through the attic. Put your money where it has the greater impact, if all you're concerned with is heat loss.
Tom
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GomerPile
Member
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 10:01am
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My general advice is go with 2x4 if you need more insulation its more effective installed on the outside not in the wall cavity.
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WY_mark
Member
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2013 12:10pm
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couldn't be happier with our 2x6 construction. easier to wire, easier to plumb, much stronger, more insulation, marginal cost increase. in a 20x30 structure there is no noticeable loss of floor space.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 8 Aug 2013 04:15pm - Edited by: MtnDon
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Using 2x6's is a simple way to gain the extra thickness for extra wall insulation. OTOH, sheathing the exterior with rigid foam gives a better total R-value as it bridges the studs themselves.
IMO, even if one does all their heating with wood, more insulation is better. Less work cutting, hauling, splitting, etc.
HOWEVER, even the DOE energy guidlines only call for R13 walls in south IN.... http://energycode.pnl.gov/EnergyCodeReqs/?state=Indiana That is a minimum.
Roof/attic is recommended to be R38. I would take martian's idea of doing the roof/ceiling right as that will make the interior more comfy and save on heat and cooling.
As for the thought that is not a full time residence and therefore it's not necessary to build to maximum's... I like the comfort that a well insulated structure brings. Not as hot in the summer is as important as being warm in winter, IMO. And you never know when something may change and result in the cabin being used more.
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