ktarasenko
March 4, 2012, 7:31pm
1
Do you know how (and where) the term “balloon-frame” originated?
It’s explained in a great article in today’s Chicago Sun-Times commemorating the city’s 175th birthday today:
Every catalog of Chicago’s gifts to humanity must begin with architecture, but not with the first steel-frame skyscraper (the Home Insurance Building, rising a dizzying 10 floors in 1885), nor the renowned Chicago School, nor the first parking garage with a ramp (built here in 1918 ), not even Frank Lloyd Wright and his Prairie style.
Chicago’s first — and arguably most significant — contribution to the world’s dwellings came from Augustine Taylor, who arrived here in the 1830s and took the heavy-beamed construction used to build houses for centuries and substituted a way of constructing lighter structures that critics called “balloon-frame” buildings because, they complained, houses that light would blow away in the wind. They didn’t. Today most homes built in America are balloon-frame construction.
Here’s the entire article.
gmathias1
March 4, 2012, 7:51pm
2
As a side note, ballon framing is not widely used anymore due to fire spread and the fact that is a structual nightmare.
jjonas
March 4, 2012, 7:56pm
3
gmathias1:
As a side note, ballon framing is not widely used anymore due to fire spread and the fact that is a structual nightmare.
I agree with Greg.
I sometimes see balloon framing techniques in some newer garages, but that is becoming less common.
ktarasenko
March 4, 2012, 8:46pm
4
Indeed.
From “Structural Issues for Home Inspectors” > “What Inspectors Need to Know” > “Common Framing Styles”:
[FONT=Arial]There are two common styles of wood framing: balloon and platform. The main difference between balloon and platform framing is apparent at the floor lines. The balloon wall studs extend from the sill of the foundation all the way to the top plate of the second floor. The platform framed wall, on the other hand, is independent for each floor.
Balloon Framing
Balloon framing is an older method of wood framing that utilizes long, continuous framing members (studs) that run from sill to eaves, with intermediate floor platforms nailed to them. Once popular when long lumber was plentiful, balloon framing has been largely replaced by platform framing. However, balloon framing is growing in popularity again in light-gauge, steel stud construction. For light-gauge steel, long framing members are not as much of an issue. Some electricians prefer working in balloon frame buildings because the lack of fire blocking makes it much easier to add circuits.
Home inspectors should be able to explain that, in balloon framing, there exist chases for fire to quickly travel from floor to floor. This hazard can be mitigated by the use of firestops at each floor level, but firestops can’t always be confirmed by home inspectors. Balloon framing has been outlawed by building codes in many areas because of the fire danger that it poses. Again, this can be mitigated by adding firestops.
The home inspector might notice a down-slope in the floor toward central walls caused by the differential shrinkage of the wood framing members at the perimeter.
Platform Framing
In platform framing, the joists comprise any number of individual floors or platforms that wall framing components are constructed on top of–hence, the term platform framing.Platform framing is the most common method of frame construction…
rjude
March 5, 2012, 1:32pm
5
Balloon framing alot of cut to fit fire block work and isnt as strong as platform, supported methods. Its essiently obsolete
rjude
March 5, 2012, 1:33pm
6
btw, a home inspector should not be able to tell the difference in a drywalled house.
mgratton
March 5, 2012, 1:59pm
7
I was born and raised in a balloon framed home; ~1880 bulit in Ontario.
The platform and balloon methods of framing are two ways of constructing a wood-frame house. [Balloon framing](file:///C:/CMHC%20Wood%20Frame%20House/english/glossary/w/index.htm#balloon) was the most common method of wood-frame construction in the latter part of the 19th century, and early part of the 20th century. [Platform framing](file:///C:/CMHC%20Wood%20Frame%20House/english/glossary/w/index.htm#western) has dominated since the late 1940s, and today represents conventional practice in Canada.
They are easy to insulate, just pour the vermiculite on top é voila
