Stud Walls--16" on center or 24"?????

[bimmer1980]

Hey guys,
I'm working on designing my own garage. I have sourced a truss package thru a lumber yard that has the trusses at 24" centers. However on the walls, is it advised to use 24" centers or 16" centers? I'm using the 104 5/8" studs with double bottom plates and top plates to get a little over 9' ceilings. The trusses are a 28' attic truss. The way I have it designed right now is that the studs are located directly under each truss. This should give the best load transfer.

Thoughts?

Also, the one wall is longer than 34' so I included a 4' brace wall.

I attached a snapshot of the garage from ProEngineer Wildfire.

 

[JohnK007]

Go with 16" OC. Total load bearing capacity of the wall will be greater than with 24 OC. Very nice drawing!

 

[38 Special]

Go 16", don't scrimp on studs.

 

[KMR Construction]

I would advise against 2' o.c. with a wall over 8'. They tend to get alittle flimsy. Your design looks good.

 

[bimmer1980]

thanks for the replys

and just to verify, 2x4's should be ok? I would prefer not to use the 2x6 for all of the walls......

 

[38 Special]

thanks for the replys

and just to verify, 2x4's should be ok? I would prefer not to use the 2x6 for all of the walls......

I think that would depend on your climate and your insulation requirements, here, in Alabama, 2x4 is all we use.

 

[PAToyota]

I'd consider 2x6 for the extra insulation it would afford you up here in PA. The 24" spacing will save you on materials, but especially with a garage or shop I'd go 16" because of the extra stability that it will afford you considering that you're likely to be mounting shelving, cabinets, and such to the walls instead of just hanging some pictures like you would in a house.

 

[sammerdog]

+1 on 16" oc's. When we were building, our finances dictated a number of compromises. To get the house we wanted, we shortened up on the garage. One of those areas was going 24" oc walls under 24" oc trusses. We are only at 8'. Our contractor said if we wanted to go higher, he would encourage the tighter 16" stud spacing on the walls.

Someone else mentioned it also, but finding studs to hang cabinets etc is a little more of a chore with 24" spacing.

 

[bimmer1980]

good points! I was debating on the 16" on centers and had thought about doing it initially. The cost is really marginal to add a few more 2x4's. Since that wall is over 9 feet, I was thinking I might put blocking in at the 4' height and the 8' height for the 4x8 sheets to run horizontally. I know I've seen some discussions on this before, but I think it will be a benefit. I was thinking that on the inside, it would be nice to run the electrical wire along the 4' horizontal run. and on the 8' horizontal run, I would put a wedge shape 1x4 to provide infinite placement of hanging cabinet. I think they call that a french mounting bracket?

Am I over building for planning on that much blocking?

 

[carcruse]

thanks for the replys

and just to verify, 2x4's should be ok? I would prefer not to use the 2x6 for all of the walls......

I highly recommend you go with 16" for all of the reasons others have stated. The slight cost increase is more than offset by the plus's.

 

[Torque1st]

For cabinet hanging use French cleats mounted on the wall and cabinet backs.

 

[nate379]

16" for sure, I would go with at least a 2x6 and even would lean toward a 2x8.

 

[JMURiz]

I agree with the statement above, I wish I would have used 2x6 boards for extra strength on mine...I ended up spending about the same money as they would have cost to make it as rigid, and lost the benefit of extra space for insulation.

 

[Kevin54]

16" for sure, I would go with at least a 2x6 and even would lean toward a 2x8.

Ditto on the 16" centers and double ditto for the 2x6 walls. What you spend for studs, you will save in utilities in no time. The extra insulation will definately help with heat and cold.

 

[Shocker]

I would go 16" as well. Do you have any kind of building code to reference?

 

[oldgoat]

I know of a couple of guys, one a contractor, that built their house using 2 x 6's. The contractor said that the cost difference between the two was relativel minor, but with the extra insulation it more than made up for it in the long run. With 2 x 6's though you can use 24" centers without a problem. If you go with 2 x 4's I'd go with 16" centers though.

 

[jbarila]

What are your local building codes?
Here in Mass 16"oc is required. Granted there is snow loading and wind to account for.

 

[327-365hp]

Why a 104 5/8" stud?

 

[StuO63]

We are also designing new garage. Drawings are for 24 O.C., but we are most likely going to do 16. Especially after reading this post.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Go with 16" for the roof also. You will notice a big difference walking on the roof and the amount of sag you get between trusses will show eventually, I have see it on many roofs. The ceiling if you eventually use one will be a lot stronger also. At least go to 5 trusses (19.5) spacing per sheet of plywood as they are stronger than 24" center and just an extra truss or so for a small building.

 

[mbatarga]

Depends on your local code requirements. What is the wall height? Over 10' here requires 2x6.

 

[forAK]

This thread is over 7 yrs old. I'd like to think it's been built by now...

 

[Falcon67]

I used 24" on both shops here, no issues.

 

[GMCGarage]

This thread is over 7 yrs old. I'd like to think it's been built by now...

Good point, too bad posts dont expire and you cant post to them if no one replies with in X number of months, years, etc.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Well since this is an old thread, why not add more information. All of the David Weekley single story homes in South Texas are 2x6 walls that are 24" OC.

 

[Kevkx125]

I'd consider 2x6 for the extra insulation it would afford you up here in PA. The 24" spacing will save you on materials, but especially with a garage or shop I'd go 16" because of the extra stability that it will afford you considering that you're likely to be mounting shelving, cabinets, and such to the walls instead of just hanging some pictures like you would in a house.

I agree with this!

 

[TractorJeff]

Old or not, I found it interesting!

 

[jbwilkins]

Why a 104 5/8" stud?

With a single bottom and double top plate you end up with a 9' 1" wall....same thing with 92 5/8 to get 8'.....

One thing I'd do if I were you is to be sure and use 4x9 sheathing...my guys didn't and I made them block all horizontal joints so the wall met shear requirements....code wasn't going to enforce the requirement, but I know better...

 

[kbs2244]

You may not have a choice.
Many codes now say 2x4s are OK at 16 inch spacing but require 2x6s for 24 inch.
You might want to check.