Balloon Framing Explained and Demonstrated

0:36

2:12

13.8M views

At 0:36 in

Was old framing better than New? 🤔 #framing #history #balloonframe #timberframe

Watch on YouTube

What happens here

The video transitions to balloon framing, introduced as a method from 1830-1940. The presenter questions why society moved to balloon framing if timber framing was so strong. He demonstrates the key characteristics: smaller 2x4 lumber, OSB, and the use of machine-sawn lumber and mass-produced nails. He shows how studs run continuously from the bottom plate to the top of the structure. Joists are supported by 'let-in' ledgers, which are thin strips of wood nailed into the studs using a hammer and nails. He highlights a critical flaw: the ledgers are a failure point, easily knocked out. More importantly, the continuous stud bays in balloon framing allow fire to travel rapidly from floor to floor, demonstrating this with a burning piece of wood ignited by a propane torch inside the stud bay. He then extinguishes the simulated fire with a water hose. He clarifies that while fire was a problem, it wasn't the primary reason balloon framing was discontinued. The increasing difficulty and expense of sourcing long, straight studs (needed for continuous runs) was the main reason.

Goal: Illustrate the characteristics, construction, advantages, and inherent problems of balloon framing.

Tools and materials

2x4 Lumber pieces — Constructing the balloon-framed structure, representing studs, joists, and ledgers
Hammer — Nailing wood pieces together and demonstrating ledger removal
Nails — Connecting wood components in balloon framing
OSB — Representing sheathing or paneling in the framed structure
Propane Torch — Simulating fire spread within the balloon-framed structure
Table Saw DeWalt — Cutting lumber (briefly shown as a representation of machine-sawn lumber)
Water Hose — Extinguishing the simulated fire
Paper/Newspaper — Serving as kindling to start the simulated fire

What they say

(899 characters)

Hide

So if timber framing was so strong, then why did we start balloon framing? Balloon framing changed how houses were built. As time went on, lumber has gotten smaller and smaller. Balloon framing relied heavily on machine sawn lumber and mass produced nails. Balloon framing studs ran from the bottom plate continuously up to the top of the structure. And likely called balloon framing because it was much lighter than timber framing. The joists would sit on top of a led in ledger. And the led ins and nails is what held the floor joist. And this allowed for quick connections and made framing easier than older methods. But balloon framing had its own set of problems. Led ins were a critical failure point and the lack of blocking allowed fire to easily run up the stud base. But this isn't why we stopped balloon framing. Long straight studs became harder and more expensive to supply and platform

Auto-generated from the video audio.