Here, we’re going through some of the most common methods of new-home construction to help you make a better choice.
Traditional Stick-Framing for the cheapest custom design
Whether you’ve seen it on tv or in real life, the traditional way of building a house is called stick framing. This construction method started way back in the United Kingdom before the Brits colonized America. The tradition was brought to America by the colonists and then carried on to the mid-20th century when new ways of building were developed.
It got its name because workers created a skeleton for the house using 2 x 4-inch hardwood to form wall studs and joists.
Another name is platform framing. Workers start building the ground floor or first floor right on top of the foundation. Then they install the walls. Once it’s complete, they start work on framing the second floor and follow the same procedure as they did on the lower floor. The last aspect of building your frame is building the roof structure.
This traditional construction method is still popular today in the United States, even with many homes built. Today various things are often made in a manufacturing plant. Wall panels are built with stick framing and then shipped via trucks to the building site and assembled to build modularly. It is sometimes referred to as “panelization.” It is where the entire section of a wall can be constructed inside the safety of a factory.
An engineer will design a plan to include the house’s mechanical components. These components include pipes, wires, and ducts. They inserted software in CAD (computer-aided drawing) before the frame’s construction. Afterward, insulation is placed between the frames. Then the exterior is overlaid with a weather-proof finish like brick veneer and siding.
This construction method has become the staple of American homes, as the American building industry has used it for decades. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center reported that roughly 90% of all new houses built in the United States are stick framing. This is common knowledge to those who work in civil engineering and contractor and sub-contracting firms. In addition, you can easily buy building materials for this kind of construction method all over the country.
True stick framing is ubiquitous, but its great features do not come without drawbacks. The wall structure becomes problematic if you use moistened lumber. They can shrink and warp once they dry, creating cracks on your drywall. Putting in insulation also becomes a problem.
The drywall cracks will let air in and force your HVAC system to work harder during the fall and winter seasons. However, the architect or contractor should anticipate such problems and avoid using moistened wood. It’s great for an inexpensive house.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to install
- Versatile
Cons
- Degrades over time
- Prone to supply issues when there are lumber-eating beetle infestations.
| Cheap houses | Characteristics |
| Ease of access | It depends |
| Are fireplaces typical? | No |
| Is it good for natural light? | Reasonable |
| Are garages common | No |
| Typical ceiling height | 9 foot |
| Typical number of bedrooms and bathrooms | 3 & 2 |
| Limitations | Small rooms |
| Low budget? | Yes |
| Is it easy to modify? | No |
| Simple vs complex layout | Simple |
Light-Gauge Steel
This method of building is almost similar to wood stick framing, except that it uses metal bars instead of lumber. It provides a rigid frame for the entire structure. When paired with the posts, it will enhance the overall strength of the house. You also get the added benefit of a fire-proof frame and zero rust. There will be no drywall cracks and a termite-free home.
You’ll be happy to know a well-established supply chain for light-gauge steel. It has been used in creating the interior partitions of commercial buildings for more than half a century. But you should also be aware that it may cost more than traditional stick framing and that prices fluctuate and vary from place to place.
One drawback of steel framing is that steel studs are a good heat conductor. This could create a problem with electrical wiring and plumbing. The contractor ought to already know about this and take necessary precautions to avoid problems with heat transfers from the metal bars.
Pros
- No threat of termites
- Durability
- Not bio-degradable
- Fire resistance
Cons
- Studs conduct heat
- Installation
Modular & container homes for a cheap tiny home
A modular home is made or pre-fabricated in a factory. This is an efficient way of building in modern times and has become more popular as shipping containers are turning into modular ones. Once a module has been completed, it is covered with protective sheathing and transported to the building site. There, the contractor assembles the various modules and forms a hoe. It’s important to note that a modular home differs from a mobile home. The latter is built as a complete package with zero modules, whereas a modular one is built separately with modules.
At first glance, they may look the same. Two halves of a simple box are assembled at their building site. They come in different qualities with different interior functionalities. Some are built like 5-star hotels. Others are minimalist modern designs. A few are environmentally friendly and 100% off-grid. Some are designed with architectural prowess too! Container homes today offer many possibilities and can be the dream home for the family on a budget.
Pros
- Cheaper
- Efficient
- Simple
- Fast
- Not prone to delays
Cons
- Limitations with models
- Homes need transportation
- Site constraints
Structural Insulated Panels
A Structural Insulated Panel is a sandwich composed of two oriented strand boards (OSB) between rigid foam insulation. It creates a solid structural panel. SIPs are pre-fabricated with channels for electrical wiring and pipes. Other similar inlaid materials and pre-cut doors and windows are also included. They’re often used as cladding for stick frame panels or post-and-beam structures. A contractor can use them to create an entire house. SIPs will require less HVAC use as the insulation is already installed.
Contractors say that the overall cost to build using SIPs is roughly the same as building using stick framing. They use less manpower to assemble the panels even though the SIP material costs more than traditional hardwood.
Concrete
Around 70% of the infrastructure in the world uses concrete, especially in commercial buildings and in earthquake-prone areas. However, you will rarely see it in single-family homes in the United States. Typically, the type of concrete that appears in residential places in the United States includes either concrete masonry units (CMUs) or insulated concrete forms (ICFs).
