Staggered Stud Walls: An Advanced Framing Technique - This is COOL!

We are utilizing staggered stud framing in the exterior walls of our new home build. This technique provides for a stronger, more energy efficient and soundproof wall than a traditional 2x6 wall. It also makes running electrical wires much easier as there is no drilling necessary. It's a nice hybrid between traditional framing and double wall framing.

[benkaminski]

I knew of this idea back in the 70's, difference was 8 inch top and bottom plates and 2 X 4's were staggered 24 inch on centres. Much better build and higher insulation value, R28 .

[LincolnLog]

Id argue that shared room and bathroom walls would benefit greatly from the staggered stud technique

[leepennington]

I'm just starting my build. Will be using this same technique, but with 2x4s on 24" centers

[murraymadness]

I designed my addition with this staggered stud design, this was about 5 years ago. County code approved it, inspectors didn't like it.
However, I used 2x4 24in oc for the external walls, and 2x3 24in oc for the internal walls, and showed them the 2x4 24in oc was code allowed when sheeted with osb. The internal 2x3 wall simply isn't relevant as structural. It just holds up the drywall, nothing else.

[woodstock]

We did this in the early 1980s in industrial manufacturing computer rooms for temperature and sound control.

[thudang]

This is a great example! I've been looking at advanced framing techniques using 2x8, and was thinking if I did double wall, 2x4 (staggered), could I actually get a higher performing wall. Based upon lumber costs, so far, it does seem a lot better. Bonus, being able to run the other items between the walls instead of drilling! And another bonus for most could also be that lifting a 2x4 wall has gotta be lighter than lifting a 2x8 one. =)

[badawesome]

I have lived in a house with staggered studs for 30 years and I can attest to the energy efficiency, living in northern Montana. The insulation is just batt fiberglass on the outside and on the inside..

[leeabend]

I want to use this technique for interior bedroom walls or soundproofing between bedrooms.

[martinbelisle]

In regular framing the stud gap creates what we call a thermal bridge. Where I am in Canada we have to use a continuous solid isolation that's R4 minimum over these thermal bridges, and a minimum of R20 between the studs (min R24 total). Anyway that's a very interesting technique, always nice to see how it's done elsewhere.

[DougCube]

Why not use 2x8 plates instead of 2x6? It probably wouldn't cost much more, same labor, and you'd get a lot more insulation space. I guess the extra insulation itself would add to the cost too. But how does this technique compare to using 2x8 and NOT staggering the 2x4s? You'd have a 1.25 inch air gap between the 2x4s, but batt insulation would be easier to install.

[LucasLucasOliveira-ir]

I have a doubt that I can't find an answer to...
how should mid-blocking work on staggered walls?

[vinylrules]

Spray foam is not ideal if you are using staggered stud wall construction to attenuate sound. Also code in our area does not allow one to run electrical parallel with the floor. One must run parallel with the stud and then run under the floor or in the ceiling. Always check local code if you are wiring yourself.

[dochuggi]

I wonder if code allows for 2×3 studs to be used instead of 2x4 in this staggered manner? It would allow for even better insulation and ease of running electric as well as cost and weight savings.

[Zanuvar]

What would you recommend for insulating that exterior wall that's staggered with mineral wool? Is there much of a weight difference (of the wall) vs traditional, as well as weight bearing capacity with staggered stud?

[artemaung]

So this is in essence a 2x6 wall, but without as much of thermal bridging on studs, but having same thermal bridging at plates.

It makes it easier for electricians, but it takes longer to build and it doesn't increase overall wall thickness.

For example what would be total cost of regular 2x6 24OC wall with 2" exterior rockwool including both material and labor cost? How does this staggered setup compares cost vise and R-value wise?

Another point is I like DIY friendly stone wool insulation which comes in batts, which also doubles down as fireproof, soundproof and insect proof wall filler. I don't have any experience, but it feels like filling this staggered wall with rock wool might be more labor intensive than regular 24" 2x6 wall.

I've seen double wall setups which were very impressive - 2x6 24" OC exterior wall, 3" gap and 2x4 16" OC interior wall nailed to floors and ceiling joists with total wall thickness of 12". They have essentially zero thermal bridging between studs or plates, the only bridging comes from window plywood connections and floor/ceiling joists. And because of this 3" gap just as easy electricals on the back side of interior wall layer.

It is more labor intensive as you're building twice as much of the wall on the exterior, but the benefit is to have massively better insulation that's more than twice better than staggered 2x6 wall. Extra materials for that setup would be basically just extra 2x4 plates and more work on window/door openings, but that seem like a lot better bang for the buck.

Can anyone knowledgeable fill in the gaps?

[justmyopinion]

Why not do 24 inch centers and save lumber?

[theaffirmativecarnivore]

How do you do corners? California corners?

[JohnWood-hf]

This technique is good for soundproofing the walls better. Not having connectivity between the studs aids in reducing sound transfer. The exterior wall construction is more important than the inside walls so extra cost is worth it.

[vcpvcp]

How do you install fire blocking…. code required (?)

[tgalidaVO]

with bat insulation would you serpentine in and out or insulate staggered as if it were 2 different walls?