How tall can a 2x4 load bearing wall be?

In general, 2 x 4 wall framing is structurally sufficient for many small garages and sheds. When bearing wall heights do not exceed 10 ft. 2 x 4 framing is generally code compliant.

design.medeek.com - 2x6 vs. 2x4 Framing of Walls - Medeek Design

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2x6 vs. 2x4 Framing of Walls

In general, 2 x 4 wall framing is structurally sufficient for many small garages and sheds. When bearing wall heights do not exceed 10 ft. 2 x 4 framing is generally code compliant. Here at Medeek Design we typically only specify 2 x 4 studs @ 16" o.c. spacing, for small sheds and garages with a building widths less than 16 feet. All other larger structures are generally called out with 2 x 6 exterior studs @ 16" o.c. unless specified otherwise. All of our plans use a double top plate and a single (pressure treated when resting on concrete) bottom plate. This type of framing is considered "conventional light framing", and is in prescriptive compliance with the building code. Typically framing with 2 x 6 studs vs. 2 x 4 studs can add an additional 40% to the lumber costs of a project. However, the advantages of using 2 x 6 framing are: Structural strength of building is increased significantly. There is a big difference in compressive strength, resistance to buckling, and lateral deflection between a 9' 2x4 wall and a 9' 2x6 wall. More space for insulation, R-21 vs. R-13, means less heat loss and smaller cooling and heating costs. Walls will be less drafty improving the overall comfort level of the living space. Space to insulate the headers with as much as 2 1/2 inches of rigid foam (R-15), further increases wall R values.

More space to accomodate utilities within framing (ie. plumbing, electrical etc... )

Thicker walls with more insulation means better soundproofing, less outside noise inside the building and vice versa.

High Walls

If bearing wall height is greater than 10 ft. the building code requires that they be engineered to verify their load capacity to resist bending of the studs due to out-of-plane loads. In some cases, local authorities may waive this if the exterior framing uses 2 x 6 studs and your wall height does not exceed 12 ft. Please feel free to use our Stud Wall Calculator to check the capacity of your stud walls.

Stud Spacing Practicality

16" o.c. spacing works better with locating and supporting wall shelving and storage systems than the 24" o.c. spacing, allowing greater planning flexibility.

Exceptions

On occasion, local authorities will impose requirements for 2 x 6 wall framing due to extremely heavy snow loads, high speed winds and for maximum wall insulation values. Note: if your plan calls for 2 x 4 framing and 2 x 6 is required, you can usually just substitute the 2 x 6 material for studs, wall top and bottom plates. (Your local authority can advise further on the subject).

Corner Framing

Energy efficient designs that are compliant with IECC and state energy codes are a mandatory part of modern residential construction. The greater width of the 2 x 6 wall allows for more insulation at external wall corners and more flexibility in framing methods. The matrix below illustrates the many ways to frame a 2 x 6 exterior corner wall:

If you have any questions about wall framing please contact us.

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Can I frame a shed with 2x4?

You can frame a whole house with nothing but 2x4, but it's easier to do a shed, as you won't need engineering, probably. The secret word is truss. You can use them for roof, floor and even wall framing, but few sheds will need trusses for walls.

diy.stackexchange.com - How much of a shed can be framed using 2x4 lumber?

The place I work at has been ordering new machinery and it comes in with 2x4 frames. They are throwing the wood away! Anyhow, I can get all I want. So my question is how much of the shed can I do using only 2x4's? I see most bases of the shed are done with 2x8's or something along that line. I will be building it off the ground with blocks as I cannot afford a concrete slab at the moment. I would like to build more of a shop than a shed. Maybe 15x20? But my longest "free" wood is 12 ft. My current shed is a dirt floor. I could live with that if need be. My current shed is old school. I live in the country, so no certain requirements have to be met. Anyhow, the sheds bones are old utility poles. It's in an awkward spot, so I wanted to build a newer one in a different spot. The walls are tin. No plywood on the walls. Roof is tin as well. I'm just trying to see if the wood I get at work will be enough to cover 90% of the cost. I want 20ft long, so can I build 2 ten ft walls and join them together to make 20ft? I understand that may not be proper, but it's a shed not a house.

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