Balloon framing Framing (construction)

balloon framing method of wood construction – known chicago construction in 19th century – used in areas rich in softwood forests: scandinavia, canada, united states until mid-1950s, , around thetford forest in norfolk, england. uses long continuous framing members (studs) run sill plate top plate, intermediate floor structures let , nailed them. here heights of window sills, headers , next floor height marked out on studs story pole. once popular when long lumber plentiful, balloon framing has been largely replaced platform framing.

it not introduced balloon framing in united states. however, first building using balloon framing possibly warehouse constructed in 1832 in chicago, illinois, george washington snow. architectural critic sigfried giedion cited chicago architect j. m. van osdel s 1880s attribution, a. t. andreas 1885 history of chicago, credit snow inventor of balloon frame method . in 1833, augustine taylor (1796–1891) constructed st. mary s catholic church in chicago using balloon framing method.

in 1830s, hoosier solon robinson published articles revolutionary new framing system, called balloon framing later builders. robinson s system called standard 2x4 lumber, nailed form sturdy, light skeleton. builders reluctant adopt new technology, however, 1880s, form of 2x4 framing standard.

alternatively, precursor balloon frame may have been used french in missouri as thirty-one years earlier.

the name comes french missouri type of construction, maison en boulin, boulin being french term horizontal scaffolding support. historians have fabricated following story: taylor constructing first such building, st. mary s church, in 1833, skilled carpenters looked on @ comparatively thin framing members, held nails, , declared method of construction no more substantial balloon. surely blow on in next wind! though criticism proved baseless, name stuck.

although lumber plentiful in 19th-century america, skilled labor not. advent of cheap machine-made nails, along water-powered sawmills in 19th century made balloon framing highly attractive, because did not require highly skilled carpenters, did dovetail joints, mortises , tenons required post-and-beam construction. first time, farmer build own buildings without time-consuming learning curve.

it has been said balloon framing populated western united states , western provinces of canada. without it, western boomtowns not have blossomed overnight. fair certainty that, radically reducing construction costs, balloon framing improved shelter options of poorer north americans. example, many 19th-century new england working neighborhoods consist of balloon-constructed three-story apartment buildings referred triple deckers.

an unusual example of balloon framing: jim kaney round barn, adeline, illinois, u.s.a.

the main difference between platform , balloon framing @ floor lines. balloon wall studs extend sill of first story way top plate or end rafter of second story. platform-framed wall, on other hand, independent each floor.