Home Remodeling - LaBonte Construction

While the framework of a home is not visible, it is possibly the most important part of your home. Having the right framing for your home or home remodeling project can lead to lower energy costs and an overall stronger home. At LaBonte Construction we use the highest quality lumber to ensure your home is sound.

There are many different types of lumber that we use use when framing a home. Certain lumber types are more beneficial for the interior of a home, while others are used on the exterior.

Dimensional Lumber

Dimensional lumber is most commonly used for the framing of a home or home remodeling project. While everyone has heard of a 2×4, these are not its actual dimensions. In fact, none of the different nominal sizes of lumber are the size for which they are named.

Nominal Size	Actual Size
2 x 4	1 1/2” x 3 1/2”
2 x 6	1 1/2” x 5 1/2”
2 x 8	1 1/2” x 7 1/4”
2 x 10	1 1/2” x 9 1/4”
2 x 12	1 1/2” x 11 1/4”

Spruce-Pine-Fur (SPF)

SPF refers to dimensional lumber that comes from coniferous trees in North America. SPF are softwoods, and the most widely-used dimensional lumber in the framing process. Although they are called softwoods, they are very stiff and strong for their weight. Douglas fir is amongst the hardest and heaviest of the softwoods commercially available in North America. SPF wood takes paint easily and holds nails extremely well, making it among the most popular dimensional lumber choices in construction.

Pressure Treated

Pressure treated lumber is a dimensional lumber that has undergone a chemical process to make it more durable and less susceptible to decay, mold, infestation and water damage. At LaBonte Construction we generally use this lumber on the exterior of a home due to its resistive properties. It can also be used for decks, fences or docks.

Cedar

We commonly use cedar for exterior trim. It has long been a popular choice in the construction industry due to its natural beauty and strength. Cedar is also rot resistant which makes it a good option for the exterior of your home. Cedar is milled to have a smooth side and a rough side, offering the ability to create different looks.

Trusses

A trussed roof used in a home remodeling project in Whitefish Bay / LaBonte Construction

Another use of dimensional lumber is that they can be made into trusses. Trusses can add more stability to the roof or floor of your home when compared to traditional stick-framing methods.

Trussed roofs can provide more solidity and stability to your roof than a traditional stick-framed roof. With a trussed roof you may lose storage space, but it can be an optimal trade-off if that extra space isn’t needed. Alternatively, you can opt for a storage truss, which as the name suggests, allows for more storage space.

Trusses can also be used in the framing of a home’s floor, which can increase the floor’s strength. Due to their design, floor trusses allow for more room to run HVAC systems and plumbing, decreasing mechanical costs.

Engineered Lumber

SCL: LSL, PSL, LVL

Structural composite lumber (SCL) is a term that is used to describe a family of engineered wood products. SCL provides numerous advantages over traditional lumber, including increased strength, stability and resistance to moisture. SCL traditionally consists of three products: Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL), Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL), and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).

Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) is made from flaked wood strands and is typically a more cost-effective option when compared to other engineered woods. LSL is generally not as strong as PSL or LVL, but it is still quite effective. LSL is great for kitchens and bathrooms because it is naturally straight. If you have a modern home where straight edges and 90º angles are important, this is a great option. It is also perfect for kitchens, making it easier to hang cabinets by avoiding the need to scribe cabinets to the wall.

Parallel Stand Lumber (PSL) is made from veneers that have been laid into long, parallel strands and bonded together. These are typically used in beams where a larger degree of strength is required. Another benefit to PSL beams is that they can be finished or stained if you want them to be exposed in your home.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is manufactured similarly to PSL. These are used similarly to PSL beams as well, but they can be fabricated in a narrower width, allowing them to be used in smaller spaces where PSL beams would not be possible.

Glue Laminated Timber

Commonly referred to as glulam, glue laminated timber is a timber that has been bonded with waterproof adhesives. This timber can be fabricated to meet any size, giving it more versatility when compared to SCL. Glulam is often used in high, exposed areas of a building or home due to its beauty. Due to the way it is manufactured, glulams can be fabricated into unique shapes, allowing for a wide variety of uses. Glulam can be great option for customers looking to include a high ceiling in their home remodeling project.

TStud™

The TStud™ is a innovative new product in the use of dimensional lumber in a home.

TStud™ is the same exact dimensions and made from the same lumber as a traditional 2×6, but because it is made from two perpendicular 2×3 boards, the gap in between the boards allows for insulation to be applied. In some cases, insulation may be built directly into the TStud™ before its arrival to the job site. The pre-insulated boards have an R-value of twenty, while a traditional 2×6 has an R-value of five. This increase in efficiency reduces thermal bridging, allowing your HVAC system and other applicants to not work as hard. This can reduce your energy costs as well as your carbon footprint.

TJI^® Joists

TJI^® joists ready for the job site

A product of Weyerhaeuser, TJI^® joists are great when looking for a high-performance floor in your home remodeling project. TJI^® joists are lightweight and come in longer lengths than traditional floor joists, which makes for a quicker install. These joists can be easily drilled and cut to allow for plumbing and HVAC to pass through undisturbed. Because TJI^® joists are longer than standard floor joists, they can accommodate more unique floor plans. They are also extremely stable which can help them resist warping, twisting and shrinking that can lead to squeaky floors.

Metal Studs

While homes are traditionally built with a wood frame, you can also opt for a metal frame. If you’ve ever seen a commercial building under construction, you’ve probably seen the exposed metal framework. There are several reasons why these buildings opt for metal studs over traditional wood framing:

Moisture and humidity do not make metal studs warp or rot
Highly durable and able to withstand severe weather
They can be termite resistant and eliminate the need for pest control
Steel studs are a green product because steel can be recycled
Metal studs do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Sometimes available during lumber shortages or during price instability

While metal studs are typically used in the construction of commercial buildings, they can also be used in building a new home or a home remodeling project.

Sheet Goods

Sheet goods are the panels used in floor, wall and roof assemblies of a home or commercial construction. These or panels are attached to the already-installed lumber framing of the structure. Sheet goods are used so that other materials may be applied to it, such as insulation, siding, roofing or flooring. There are different materials used in the manufacturing of sheet goods, with each holding their own unique advantages.

AdvanTech^®

AdvanTech^® is our first choice subflooring sheet good at LaBonte Construction. It possess moisture protection throughout the entire panel and is precisely engineered to ensure that every panel fits together easily. Because it is resistant to moisture, there is less impact from weather exposure during the framing process.

AdvanTech^® subflooring used in a home remodeling project in Whitefish Bay / LaBonte Construction

Because of the way it is manufactured, AdvanTech^® possesses more wood than other types of sub-flooring materials like OSB or plywood, which gives it more strength when compared to those other materials. It allows you to use hardwood flooring in your home remodeling project, whereas you should not use hardwood flooring with OSB. Using the AdvanTech^® subfloor material, combined with their subfloor adhesive, we are able to help eliminate floor squeaks and help with sound suppression and provides a strong factory warrantee.

When it comes to subfloor panel sizes of AdvanTech^®, it only comes in 4’ x 8’ boards. These boards are thicker than OSB or plywood and the minimum size used is 19/32”, with the thickest boards being 1 1/8”.

OSB

Oriented strand board (OSB) is the most commonly-used sheet good today because of its price when compared to plywood. OSB is also denser than plywood, which makes it less permeable to vapors, which can result in a slightly better-insulated home. OSB most commonly takes the form of a 4’x8′ sheet and ranges in thickness from 5/16” to 1-1/8”.

Plywood

Plywood has long been the traditional sheet good used in construction. Since the introduction of OSB, the use of plywood has declined. However, there are still many benefits to using plywood. Plywood holds a significant advantage over OSB when it comes to moisture. When plywood gets wet it tends to swell; when plywood dries out, it can return to its original dimensions. Plywood also dries out quicker than OSB, which can result in little-to-no defects to the floor or roof. There are two additional common treatments of plywood we use in the remodeling process: pressure-treated and fire-rated.

Pressure-treated plywood is plywood that has undergone a chemical treatment to make it less susceptible to rot, insect infestation, mold and water damage. This allows the plywood to maintain structural rigidity and avoid some of the common issues associated with untreated lumber.

Fired rated plywood is specially treated with chemicals as well, but these chemicals provide a physical barrier to the spread of flame. The wood chars but does not oxidize, which can significantly reduce the spread of a fire.

OSB and plywood boards at a lumber yard

ZIP System^® And ZIP System^® R-Sheathing

ZIP System^® sheathing is a favorite of ours at LaBonte Construction. Another product of Huberwood, ZIP System^® sheathing provides a continuous air barrier for your home as well as thermal resistance. One of the biggest benefits to ZIP System^® sheathing is that it is water resistant. This water resistant air barrier is built directly into the product, so there is no need for extra protection. Another great benefit is that it allows for numerous types of wall claddings including brick, siding, stucco or cedar shingles. ZIP System^® sheathing eliminates the need for housewrap.

Standard ZIP sheathing in a home remodeling project in Whitefish Bay / LaBonte Construction

ZIP System^® R-Sheathing is a step up in efficiency from the standard ZIP System^® sheathing. R-sheathing has all of the same components as the standard ZIP System^® sheathing, but it also includes a layer of foam insulation bonded to the interior. By providing this added layer of insulation, your home can remain warmer during our frigid Milwaukee winters. R-sheathing includes exterior water, air and thermal management properties all in one product. By having this installed in your home remodeling project, you can help reduce your energy costs.

Find the Best Lumber for Your Home Remodel

Having the right type of lumber for each part of your home remodeling project can help give your home rigidity and structural integrity. Along with saving on energy costs, it can add peace of mind knowing that your home remodeling project is solid. Please contact us at LaBonte Construction to discuss the best type of framing for your new home or home remodeling project.

There are many different types of insulation to consider when remodeling your home. From the most common, to the most effective, we will take a look at some of the different types of insulation we use in the home remodeling process.

Remodeling With Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is the most common insulation material used today. It is the material LaBonte Construction uses most when insulating a home or home addition. Made from fine glass fibers, fiberglass insulation generally takes the form of batts, rolls and loose-fill. Fiberglass batts are also quickly installed, which provides our clients with a cost-effective option. Common fiberglass insulation brands include Owens Corning or Johns Manville. Fiberglass insulation meets code by having adequate thermal properties and can even provide some acoustic dampening.

Fiberglass insulation in a residential sport court in Whitefish Bay, WI

There are several benefits to using fiberglass insulation. It is the most cost-effective, most readily available, it meets code and it is easy to work with. Fiberglass insulation comes in all off the necessary joist spacing sizes, R-Values and facings which makes it easy to find the right option. Because it contains sand and recycled glass, fiberglass insulation is naturally noncombustible.

Remodeling With Spray Foam Insulation

The second most common type of insulation we use in the remodeling process is spray foam. Spray foam insulation is used to seal wall, floor and ceiling cavities against air movement. If applied correctly, spray foam never loses its shape over time. It will not compress, sag nor settle. The foam is made from organic chemical compounds derived from petroleum extracts. Although that may sound dangerous, it is considered environmentally safe and one of our favorite options for maximum efficiency.

Spray Foam Insulation used in a pool house in River Hills / LaBonte Construction / HB Designs / Peabody’s Interiors

Spray foam insulation can help reduce high energy bills because the foam prevents air leakage. It can also helps prevent ice dams, which can be an issue for some Wisconsinites. The reduced airflow that spray foam creates helps prevent drafts and cold floors. A tighter envelope can lead to a more energy-efficient home.

There are two main types of spray foam insulation: Closed Cell and Open Cell.

Closed Cell

Closed cell spray foam insulation creates an air seal within the home and provides continuous insulation. We use closed cell foam regularly at LaBonte Construction, and Johns Manville Corbond III^® is one of the most common closed cell options we use. It can be applied to open cavities of new homes, existing homes, pole barns and commercial buildings. Closed cell foam is durable, and can be left exposed without worrying about damage to the foam. It is unique in that it does not require a roof to be vented during the remodeling process, and the entire home envelope can be sealed which creates a tighter home.

Closed cell foam is waterproof and limits air leakage where it is installed. Closed cell foam’s higher R-Value per inch of thickness makes it a great option in older homes that have shallow joist cavities. This may not allow for traditional insulation to achieve code without additional furring and carpentry, which may be costly and reduce precious ceiling height.

Open Cell

Open cell spray foam insulation is generally applied to open cavities in any structure. Just like closed cell foam insulation it creates an air seal and provides continuous insulation. It is most commonly used in new homes, existing homes and pole barns. Open cell foam is light, pliable and can expand up to 100 times in volume to fill every crack and crevice where it is sprayed.

Homes naturally shift and settle over time, and open cell insulation will move with the structure without cracking or pulling away from the studs. Unlike closed cell insulation, open cell foam allows moisture to move through it, but it does not soak up or retain the moisture. Because of its composition, open cell foam can dry if the building envelope is properly engineered.

Mineral Wool: A Favorite Of LaBonte Construction

Mineral wool, sometimes referred to as stone wool or ROCKWOOL^®, has been around for decades with a proven track record. First patented in the United States by John Player in 1870, mineral wool was first commercially produced in Germany in 1871. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that mineral wool became a common insulation option. Mineral wool is widely used in Canada and Europe, but saw a decline in its usage in the United States over the past thirty years. However, more recently, mineral wool has made a comeback in the U.S., and is now a favorite choice of ours.

Mineral wool is made by melting down basalt stone and recycled slag from steel mills, which is then spun into fiber and formed into batts or boards. It is a terrific option for damp spaces and exterior uses, and it also has greater health benefits when compared to other options.

Mineral wool is also denser than other types of insulation which makes it effective for soundproofing. It is fire resistant and is often used as fire stopping around holes and pipes between floors during remodeling projects. Like open cell foam, mineral wool does not absorb water which discourages the growth of mold and mildew. Containing up to seventy percent recycled materials, mineral wool is an eco-friendly option. Mineral wool also possesses a higher R-value per inch compared to that of traditional fiberglass insulation, making for a warmer home.

Denim Insulation

Denim insulation is not the most widely-used insulation but is one of the highest quality options. Made of scraps and clippings that come from the manufacturing of denim clothing, this insulation is extremely sustainable as it contains around eighty-five percent recycled materials. Its natural cotton fibers are also one hundred percent recyclable at the end of the insulation’s usable life. Manufacturing denim insulation requires much less energy than traditional fiberglass insulation, and is considered an efficient manufacturing process.

As well as being an eco-friendly alternative, denim insulation provides better acoustic dampening when compared to other insulations. Denim insulation can provide up to thirty percent better sound dampening than traditional insulation, making for a quieter home. It also contains no volatile organic compounds (VOC) or formaldehyde, which can contaminate a home’s indoor air. Denim insulation is treated with an EPA-registered fungal inhibitor which protects it from mold, mildew and pests. The insulation is also treated with an EPA-approved borate solution that makes it flame resistant.

AeroBarrier

If you’re looking to insulate your home without having to take apart walls, AeroBarrier is a great option. AeroBarrier can seal air leaks in your home up to ½” in size. Using a blower door, the space is pressurized. From there, a computer controls the rest, including the temperature, pressure, humidity and the distribution of the sealant. Another perk of AeroBarrier is that you can see the results in real time as the blower door test improves.

After the sealing process, work can resume within thirty minutes. The overall process (pre-sealing, preparation, setup/seal/breakdown, cover removal, post test and additional cleanup) takes anywhere from 14-22 hours, depending on the size of the space you are getting air sealed. AeroBarrier is best used in new construction and whole home remodeling projects.

Interior vs. Exterior Insulation

Interior

Interior insulation is required by code, therefore choosing the right option for your home is important. One of the perks in searching for the right interior insulation for your home is that there are many different kinds, so finding the right option shouldn’t be too difficult.

Insulating interior walls can reduce sound transfer from room to room. Interior insulation also helps prevent mold and mildew from building within the walls. Finding the right interior insulation for your home can also help you reduce your energy costs. If less heat escapes from your home you can expect your energy bills to drop.

Exterior

Having exterior insulation in your home is extremely helpful. At LaBonte Construction, we advocate the use of ZIP R-sheathing for your exterior insulation. ZIP R-sheathing is the easiest way a client can add exterior insulation during a remodeling project. The biggest benefit to ZIP R-Sheathing is that it is extremely effective at preventing thermal bridging. It is also handy if you live somewhere noisy, as a ZIP R-sheathing can help dampen some of the outside noise.

ZIP sheathing in a home in Whitefish Bay / LaBonte Construction

Whether building, remodeling or adding an addition to a home, look to use exterior insulation whenever possible. Installation can be tricky, and is best left to the professionals.

R-Value Requirements

Each type of insulation is assigned an R-value. An R-value is the measure of an insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-value, the better the insulating performance and resistance to heat loss. In the United States (and its territories) there are eight different zones that are used to determine the required R-value for insulation.

R-value map from the Department of Energy

Below are the R-value requirements from the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) for different parts of a structure in Zone Six (Milwaukee County’s Zone):

Attics: R49-R60
2×4 Walls: R13-R15
2×6 Walls: R19-R21
Floors and Crawl Spaces: R25-R30

Final Thoughts

Insulation is a key part of the building and remodeling process. Finding the right insulation for your home can make your home more comfortable. Please contact us at LaBonte Construction to discuss a remodeling project incorporating the best insulation practices.

Types Of Lumber Used In Home Remodeling