Platform Versus Balloon Multi-Story House Framing - Part 1
When framing a multi-story home there are two choices of construction techniques - platform or western framing and balloon framing.
Platform framing is the most common of the two construction methods used today for multi-story residential home construction.
As the name implies, a platform, the floor, is first constructed over the foundation. Walls are then erected to the height of the second story, where a second platform, second story floor, is constructed. Walls for the second story are then added and if their is a third story, a platform, third story floor is built.
Figure 1 shows basic multi-story platform wall construction and Table 1 shows the associated structural components.
Figure 1 - Platform multi-story house framing
| Table 1 - Structural Components of Platform Multi-Story House Framing | ||
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From a construction standpoint, platform house framing is much easier, and hence, less labor intensive than balloon house framing.
- The walls can be conveniently built on the floor and then raised into position.
- It is much easier to locate the placement of windows and doors.
- Smaller lengths of lumber ( 2 x 4) are less expensive.
- Separation between floors acts as a fire stop.