How do you frame a 16' wall?

[JoelSparks]

I'm working out some plans to build a 48x60 stick built shop. I would like to do a 16' ceiling in part of the building. The question is how do frame a 16' wall. I have seen 2 8' frames stacked as oppossed to using 16' boards. Is this common? Is this legal? I am new to California so I am not familiar with code yet. Any ideas/pics are appreciated.

Joel

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I went with a 4' high concrete stem wall with a 12' stud wall on top. CA has some special conditions that require shear walls however so you should get some opinions from local builders as to what they would do that will meet codes and get past the local inspectors (some don't like certain sections of the code or what it says and like the power trip of picking and choosing what they want).

 

[BD1]

NO STACKING 8' WALLS !! This is a hinge affect and not good or recommended. Use 16' lumber or do the concrete or lower block wall .

 

[Zeke]

Full height with blocking at 8'. You may be required to put in some 3 x 4's or 4' x 4's along the wall. I would anyway, if not framing with 2 x 6's.

 

[DCarr]

Better check on what Your Local codes say. Cal. has some differant requirements than other states.

 

[Will67]

I used 2x6x14 for my walls I'm in Sacramento and the only added building requirements was adding shear to the wall, this was accomplished by 3x6 PT mudsill and doubling studs every 4 to 6 feet, and adding blocking at 9'. Also a lot of HD5 hold-downs. Not an engineer, but that what was speced so that is how I built it.

 

[ddawg16]

I live in CA.....the 16' walls are not an issue...as the guys note, you will need blocking about half way....

But you are going to want to do 2x6 vs 2x4....to give you an idea...go to HD and pick up a 2x4 board 16' long....lay it on it's edge and then pick up one end....see how it bends? Do you want your wall doing that?

Yes...your going to need shear walls.....in fact, going that high I'm pretty sure your going to need engineering....especially in regards to anchor bolts and hold downs.....

I would suggest downloading the Simpson catalog....I pretty much have that b!tch memorized now...

You might want to click on the link in my signature to see what was involved in my garage build.

 

[Coloshaver]

I wanted 16' walls to clear a 14' door. Here along the windy front range of Colorado, the county made me get "engineered" walls. The engineer spec'ed either 2x8 or double 2x6. I went with 2x8s. For wind load, stacking two 8' walls would clearly not be an option. Here is what mine looked like.

 

[JoelSparks]

Thanks for the input guys. I am not familiar with 3x6 mudsill or the anchors. Can someone please explain to me?

Also what are shear walls?

I can do 2x4's up to 10' according to code.

I would like to be able to get an RV of Semi tractor inside. This means I will need a 14' door. What is the minimum ceiling height required for the door?

Thanks again.

 

[Zeke]

Shear wall = sheeted with plywood and nailed off according to specs.
3 x sills are for better nailing surfaces for the shear wall as well as stronger for the anchor bolts. You will need some hold downs as well nutted to 3/4" threaded rod. Usually they bolt to a 3 x or 4 x vertical member in the wall. These thicker studs provide the strength that others are saying a 2 x 4 won't. But, at 16', 2 x 6 is the norm. So, you will end up with a couple of 3 or 4 x 6's in that wall for the hold downs.

This is all because of CA earthquakes.

 

[Toomanytools?]

Never seen a 3x6 MS unless it is 2 x 1 1/2", which only the bottom in contact with the concrete needs to be PT. An "L" bolt is set into concrete stem wall then bolted through the mud sill. That works for most cases but going 16' you might need more. This is what is used in front of garage opening:http://www.strongtie.com/products/CFS/S_PAHD-S_HPAHD.asp

Simpson also has prebuilt shear panels that are bolted to foundation, mostly used in special cases. It have seen them in front of garages that have very little wall, all garage doors for shear.

A shear wall is a wall with adequate framing then 1/2" plywood/osb nailed off 4-6" field spacing and 4" edge spacing with an 8d nail. This is then all tied to foundation with the appropriate hold-downs. You need to sketch out what you want and talk with your locale building department.

Your better off 2x6 walls.

Most garage door companies have a low headroom track that will operate with 6 1/2" space. Normal headroom is 12-18" from the bottom of the opening header to the ceiling. So 14' door you want 16' eve height, though you could get a 14' door in a say 14'8" ceiling height. Don't know how much more a low headroom track will cost you.

 

[yzair]

You are going to need 3 x 6 treated sill and 4 x 6 post every where the shear panel breaks sides,top btm.
The reason is the shear panel is more than likely going to be 3" nailing at all edges of ply.
When the nailing is this close together it will degrade the integrity of a single 2 x6 stud, from the tight nailing pattern.

Anyway your gonna need an engineer and HDs or mst 36 straps @ corners in pairs.

 

[472scout]

I used 2x6x14 for my walls I'm in Sacramento and the only added building requirements was adding shear to the wall, this was accomplished by 3x6 PT mudsill and doubling studs every 4 to 6 feet, and adding blocking at 9'. Also a lot of HD5 hold-downs. Not an engineer, but that what was speced so that is how I built it.

Was this in the recent past? I'm curious how the permit process went and what the cost was as I have relatives there.