The Habitat Wall System Advantage

What are the advantages of our wall system? Our unique system combines the benefits of open cavity framing and the comfort of a complete insulation wrap around the outside of the framing. Follow these links to compare our wall system to either conventional wall or stress skin panels:

• Compare to conventionally framed walls
• Compare to stress skin walls

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Standard Wall System Our unique wall system takes advantage of the ease of conventional framing along with the structural and aesthetic benefits of post and beam.  Electrical wires and plumbing can be installed in a way that is familiar to contractors, saving you money.  A groove cut into the beams to accept drywall eliminates the problem of gaps as the wood beams expand and contract with seasonal fluctuations in humidity. An airtight layer of Styrofoam insulation, together with housewrap around all wall sections, significantly reduces air infiltration and helps to deaden noise.  Through the use of the highest quality materials, the Habitat Post & Beam wall system achieves an R-value of 21.

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Full Exposure Framing System (Optional) This framing system has a more traditional look, as most of the beam is exposed to the interior. You may opt to include knee braces for the exterior wall (the angled piece shown in the picture to the left). Other than having more of the beam exposed, the specifications for this wall system is the same as our standard wall system (see below).

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Material Detail- Wall System:

1. Pre-built Wall Section
   Kiln-dried 2x4s 16" on center with rough openings for windows and doors factory framed, ready to tilt up and nail into place for labor saving on-site assembly.
2. Insulation
   1" Dow® Styrofoam pre-bonded to plywood in combination with 3 1/2" fiberglass (owner supplied) provides "thermal layering." Total R Value of 21.
3. 1/2" 5-ply Fir Plywood
   Pre-bonded to Dow® Styrofoam insulation.
4. Housewrap
   Complete air infiltration barrier.
5. Siding
   1x6 tongue and groove western red cedar vertical siding, clear red cedar clapboards, or white cedar shingles (owner finished with paint, stain or water repellent).
6. Trim
   Primed cedar ready for final finish.
7. Posts
   #1 Douglas fir, chosen for straightness and visual quality.  Pre-cut, notched, numbered and dadoed for sheetrock.