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The linked project/product does not include foundation, and most likely also needs engineering work to pass codes/inspection. Stick framing is cheap and simple

The linked project/product does not include foundation, and most likely also needs engineering work to pass codes/inspection. Stick framing is cheap and simple- 2x4s are abundant. And you can do it yourself solo with minimal tools. Also, using plywood is way more prone to water issues than solid wood.

LegitShady 4y ago
disclaimer - I work in civil/structural engineering but typically much larger structures than houses and mostly concrete and wood and haven't done wood design since school. the following does not constitute engineering advice and should not be relied upon for design or construction purposes. This is merely discussion. I wouldn't build most houses today out of 2x4s, simply because its not a big enough insulation cavity for a modern home. Stick framing being cheap does not substitute for planning. As you say - you need to design a structure and that includes hiring an engineer for more than just 'passing codes/inspection' but also for structural design of your home. It's unlikely you'll be able to design a roof out of 2x4s without making major sacrifices to the design of the house, and you're probably not qualified to judge the worst case loading in your area or capacity of a 2x4 roof (or else you wouldn't even mention 2x4s). The linked site includes several guides including an engineering guide most non engineers would struggle to understand. https://www.wikihouse.cc/guides https://www.wikihouse.cc/guides Plywood is not particularly prone to water issues, and isn't used in the same way as solid wood would be. In situations where plywood would be having water issues, so would solid wood. You might be confusing plywood and OSB. Structurally, plywood sheathing is primarily used for shear capacity to let structures handle lateral (sideways) loads to resist racking, and to have somewhere to attach the exterior materials of the structure to. The linked engineering guide provides structural testing numbers of their panels for various capacities that a structural engineer understands. Like proper stick framing, it requires planning and design, rather than grabbing some 2x4s and letting er rip.

LegitShady 4y ago

disclaimer - I work in civil/structural engineering but typically much larger structures than houses and mostly concrete and wood and haven't done wood design since school. the following does not constitute engineering advice and should not be relied upon for design or construction purposes. This is merely discussion. I wouldn't build most houses today out of 2x4s, simply because its not a big enough insulation cavity for a modern home. Stick framing being cheap does not substitute for planning. As you say - you need to design a structure and that includes hiring an engineer for more than just 'passing codes/inspection' but also for structural design of your home. It's unlikely you'll be able to design a roof out of 2x4s without making major sacrifices to the design of the house, and you're probably not qualified to judge the worst case loading in your area or capacity of a 2x4 roof (or else you wouldn't even mention 2x4s). The linked site includes several guides including an engineering guide most non engineers would struggle to understand. https://www.wikihouse.cc/guides https://www.wikihouse.cc/guides Plywood is not particularly prone to water issues, and isn't used in the same way as solid wood would be. In situations where plywood would be having water issues, so would solid wood. You might be confusing plywood and OSB. Structurally, plywood sheathing is primarily used for shear capacity to let structures handle lateral (sideways) loads to resist racking, and to have somewhere to attach the exterior materials of the structure to. The linked engineering guide provides structural testing numbers of their panels for various capacities that a structural engineer understands. Like proper stick framing, it requires planning and design, rather than grabbing some 2x4s and letting er rip.