exterior walls 2x4 vs 2x6

14 years ago

Don't seem to hear much on 2x6 walls much anymore. Do you get that much better insulation with 2x6 for the added cost? This house would be in Michigan, thanks....

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Comments (10)

stumpyouch
14 years ago
There have been several recent threads on this topic. I've provided a link to them. Good luck on your build.

Stumpy

Here is a link that might be useful: 2x4 vs 2x6
brickeyee
14 years ago
Figure out what the energy savings will be and decide from there.
Be sure to include a reasonable pay back period, inflation, and government driven increases in energy costs.

If you do not have reliable numbers for the cost increases, you can at least bracket them to provide a range of values.

You should also assume that any insulation values have some range on them, since it is very hard to get 'ideal' values in the field.
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Comments (38)
Back onto the OP question, I don't believe moving from 2x4 to 2x6 should be as costly as your architect believes. MacV's breakdown is much more accurate from my experience. 2x6's were around $1 more per 10ft in my area, so the extra lumber bill was in the $3,000 range. If you order the windows and doors from the manufacturer with the jambs built for 2x6, the extra cost is minimal, something like $20 per window or door (maybe $50 for doors). Insulation, well you can spend as little or as much as you want, but striking the balance between air infiltration and price is the center of most debates. R value is great in a lab, but in the real world, you need your doors and windows to shut tight and keep the walls from allowing wind in. Worthy's mention of an exterior foam board (taped at the seams) coupled with a blown in cellulose or fiberglass is a great economical choice. He's also right about the interior walls, I should have done 2x6 there as well. You really can't insulate around the DWV pipes for sound in a 2x4 wall.
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Comments (8)
hotly debated and often discussed! LOL! There are piles of threads that may cover specifics....here's a link. My own personal experience...I can't give you a dollar amount because I am doing all the labor myself. It cost more for the exterior doors and windows (the casing is wider and is usually a special order). Lumber is a bit more, insulation is more (but you also have better insulation). I love the nice wide window sills I get with the thicker walls. No doubt it is stronger. Your buuilder should be able to give you the upcharge amount for using 2x6 prior to writing the contract. Here is a link that might be useful: 2x6 search
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Comments (7)
Energy rater...I know...seems silly. I really am concerned about the other things too. But those things I feel pretty confident about...I think. I really do have a reason for asking such a silly question. We have found a plan that's pretty reasonable. I've had a Kohler Tea for Two tub picked out for years. It's 6 ft. In this plan (see pic) the tub almost looks wedged in as it is. The space is 6' 8 1/2". My brain is thinking that if this space shrinks by 4 " the tub I want will not fit. The plan has 2x4 walls and we want 2x6 walls. So trying to figure out if we should have our local architect change this along with any other changes we are making. Does losing those few inches here and there affect things like this or trim and doors not fitting right in tight places where every inch might count? JDS..so, if the GC has the basement contractor pour all walls 4" bigger the plan or blueprint doesn't need to be changed. Am I getting this right? ichabod...thank you. Love your phrasing..walls "coming in"
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Comments (2)
A standard jamb throat depth is measured from the face of the exterior sheathing to the face of the interior wall finish. That would not be 5 1/2" for a 2x4 stud wall. I suspect someone has given you the dimension of the entire frame including the part that projects beyond the sheathing. The relevant throat dimension for a 2x4 stud is usually 4 5/8" +/-. For a 2x6 stud wall it is usually 6 5/8" +/-. The manufactirer probably offers jamb extensions for the thicker wall. The 5/8" paneling might need a small shim on the interior of the frame or a modification of the casing trim.
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srercrcr
14 years ago
I think you'll find the added insulation isn't much more but the buildout with 2X6 structure is another matter. Being the walls aren't a MAJOR heat gain area (glass is), I recommend you concentrate more on radiant barrier, ridge vent, soffit vents, and a hefty layer of attic insulation.
vancleaveterry
14 years ago
I wouldn't dream of using 2x4's for exterior walls. Ever look at a 2x4 after the hole has been cut to allow the electrical wires through? There's very little wood left to either side.

And it just makes for a much more solid feeling home.
booboo60
14 years ago
Yikes!!!! You live in Michigan?? I would think 2X6 would be the norm!!!
marthaelena
14 years ago
It is worth it to use 2x6.
I am in Illinois and I would not use 2x4.

What wall insulation are you using?
cruiser1
Original Author
14 years ago
thanks for the input... looks like 2x6 is slightly leading the input... I haven't picked out any insulation yet.
shelly_k
14 years ago
Live in the Midwest and definitely will use 2x6 exterior framing. I've also had 2x4, and 2x6 is FAR superior, at least in this climate, both for energy saving and quietness.
brickeyee
14 years ago
"Being the walls aren't a MAJOR heat gain area (glass is), I recommend you concentrate more on radiant barrier, ridge vent, soffit vents, and a hefty layer of attic insulation."

Only with an actual Manual J calculation of heating and cooling loads can anything be reliably stated about walls vs. windows.
While the R-value of windows is very poor (= 1/U value) depending on how many windows you have the larger area of the wall can still be a significant factor.

Infiltration losses are usually an even larger driver then glass area losses unless attention to detail in sealing the perimeter is followed.
The large gains from replacement windows are far more from the reduction in infiltration than any significant gains in insulation value, even from multi-layered glass construction.
mgabriel
14 years ago
We are in the process of having plans drawn and decided to go with 2x6's. I did some research and drew the conclusion that there is not much price difference.

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exterior walls 2x4 vs 2x6

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stumpyouch

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exterior walls 2x4 vs 2x6

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