How Tall Could You Go?

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 09-04-2006, 08:25 PM   #1
Chief Toilet Mover
 
Mike Finley's Avatar
 
Trade: Bathroom Remodeling
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Posts: 14,078

How Tall Could You Go?


So I've never ran across this before, but how tall of a building can you make out of just wood framing? 4 storys, 5? The biggest I have ever saw was some apartment buildings that were 4 stories tall, I didn't see any steel work in them at all.

I'm sure there are some structural limitations and maybe some economic limitations. Say for instance 4 stories might be the limit before you have to really begin over engineering the structure to get to 5 so it becomes less expensive to just get into steel?

Mike Finley is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 09-04-2006, 09:11 PM   #2
Pro
 
Tscarborough's Avatar
 
Trade: Monkey Scratching Cat Herder
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,762

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


I have seen some timbered 6-8 story factory buildings, but they were built long ago with big timbers, 18x18 red cyprus and such. With modern building lumber, I would say 4 stories is about it, and that is highly engineered.
Tscarborough is online now  
Old 09-04-2006, 09:42 PM   #3
Pro
 
Teetorbilt's Avatar
 
Trade: Residential Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Posts: 10,475

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


7 floors is the most that I know of but if you look at some of the old mining structures, they went much more than that and supported a lot of weight.
__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein
Teetorbilt is offline  
Old 09-04-2006, 09:42 PM   #4
Pro
 
K2's Avatar
 
Trade: Licensed Colorado electrician, licensed B-1 GC
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Colorado Front Range
Posts: 2,604

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


I think fire ratings would be more of an issue. Under the old UBC it was type I, II, III construction. You would probably have a hard time doing a 2 story Wood framed Church, (A-3 occupancy) and keep the required fire seperation. Even in R-3 Divisions 1,2,&3, (houses, dorms ,hotels etc.), keeping the required fire seperation would be difficult after about 3 stories.
I think they did 7 story wood tenaments in the early 1900's and a lot of people died in them.
Insurance costs could also determine the type of construction you used.

Last edited by K2; 09-05-2006 at 11:58 AM.
K2 is offline  
Old 09-05-2006, 12:00 PM   #5
Pro
 
reveivl's Avatar
 
Trade: Renovations
Join Date: May 2005
Location: West Coast Canada
Posts: 1,716

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Stick framing, probably four or five, timber framed buildings much taller, all those mediaeval church spires have been around for centuries.
__________________
From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)
reveivl is offline  
Old 09-05-2006, 04:38 PM   #6
Remodeling Contractor
 
N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CT. U.S.A.
Posts: 327

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob 53 View Post
Insurance costs could also determine the type of construction you used.
Of course it does, you can't fart without asking them first, they run the world.
__________________
"Man is a tool-using animal. Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all."

Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)
N.E.Bldg&Rest.LLC is offline  
Old 09-05-2006, 11:38 PM   #7
Pro
 
Bradracer18's Avatar
 
Trade: Framing
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Griswold, Iowa Southwest
Posts: 219

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


We did stick framing up to 4 stories........the floor trusses and roof trusses were very well built and engineered.....lots of headers and microlamb in there too.......
Bradracer18 is offline  
Old 09-06-2006, 09:39 PM   #8
catalfanoc
 
catalfanoc's Avatar
 
Trade: roofing and remodeling
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: outside Philadelphia
Posts: 58

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


they built a 6 story apartment complex out of wood around me i was very surpised to see it
catalfanoc is offline  
Old 09-06-2006, 10:35 PM   #9
Chief Toilet Mover
 
Mike Finley's Avatar
 
Trade: Bathroom Remodeling
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Posts: 14,078

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Quote:
Originally Posted by catalfanoc View Post
they built a 6 story apartment complex out of wood around me i was very surpised to see it
It's kind of freaky to see something that tall made of wood isn't it? That's how I felt when I kept driving by these apartments they put up all in wood framing. Something just seemed strange about the whole thing.
Mike Finley is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 03:32 PM   #10
Pro
 
Bradracer18's Avatar
 
Trade: Framing
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Griswold, Iowa Southwest
Posts: 219

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


I think they(our 4-5 story ones).....are quite sturdy......but my god, its pretty hard to keep them square/plumb..........
Bradracer18 is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 04:50 PM   #11
Bah Humbug!
 
Grumpy's Avatar
 
Trade: Roofing and Gutter Specialist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 8,574
Send a message via AIM to Grumpy

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Having very limited experience with lumber I would be scared to build anything over 3 stories, I personally have never seen anything built with lumber over 3 stories. Infact most 3 story buildings, I have seen, are constructed with block.

I base my answer only upon my personal observations.
Grumpy is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 05:40 PM   #12
DGR,IABD
 
mdshunk's Avatar
 
Trade: Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,680

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


I've wired some buildings in years past, for an employer that were 4-5 stories all in wood. When you start going up like that, you have shear walls all over the place. Sorta turns the whole wall into an I-Joist (and obviously helps with the increased shear loading).

Last edited by mdshunk; 09-07-2006 at 05:44 PM.
mdshunk is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 05:58 PM   #13
Chief Toilet Mover
 
Mike Finley's Avatar
 
Trade: Bathroom Remodeling
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Posts: 14,078

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Yeah, speaking of shear, I can't imagine in California you can build with wood too high due to all the earth quake codes and requirements.
Mike Finley is offline  
Old 09-07-2006, 08:36 PM   #14
Pro
 
theworx's Avatar
 
Trade: Carpenter by trade, lead man for commercial GC...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 937

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Up here, I was under the impression that 3 stories was the limit for a commercial building. But just the other day, drove by a job site where they are building a 4 story hotel with wood framing (but didn't get a chance to notice if they had beefed up the framing)... Interesting thread Mike...
theworx is offline  
Old 09-11-2006, 10:46 AM   #15
Pro
 
mighty anvil's Avatar
 
Trade: architect
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 158

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Using the IRC, 1 & 2 family dwellings & townhouses that exceed the wind loadings in table 301.2 must be engineered or conform to the IBC. That table only goes up to a height of 30 ft. so 3 stories is the limit for light wood framed homes and townhouses are limited to 3 stories in the admin. section.

If the building use is other than 1 & 2 family or townhouses it must be designed by an architect or engineer and meet the height and area limits of the IBC for the use group and construction type. For protected light wood framing (Type V), Assembly would be 2 stories, Business 3, Education 1, Mercantile 3, and Residential 3, etc. Another story is allowed for a full sprinkler system. Heavy Timber framing (Type IV) and fire-retardant light wood framing (Type III) is allowed to be 1 to 2 stories taller depending on the use.

For HT and fire-treated light framing: A=4, B=6, E=4, M=5, R=5.
For untreated light wood framing: A=3, B=4, E=2, M=4, R=4.

So the tallest wood building would be 6 stories according to the IBC.

These limits may differ with other codes but since they are determined primarily for fire safety reasons and earthquake areas have stricter structural requirements, I doubt they are often allowed to be taller.
mighty anvil is offline  
Old 09-11-2006, 11:32 AM   #16
Pro
 
K2's Avatar
 
Trade: Licensed Colorado electrician, licensed B-1 GC
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Colorado Front Range
Posts: 2,604

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Quote:
So the tallest wood building would be 6 stories according to the IBC.
That's a bunch of trees. Good to hear from you MA.
K2 is offline  
Old 07-02-2007, 12:27 AM   #17
I used to think so.......
 
wallmaxx's Avatar
 
Trade: My words are OPINIONS and hold no REAL value. 2012
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: WA State
Posts: 2,202

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


This "thing" was the tallest I have built. 5 stories.
wallmaxx is offline  
Old 07-02-2007, 03:06 AM   #18
Member
 
myshtern's Avatar
 
Trade: General
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 53

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Keep in mind that elevator shafts arent supported with wood and they are usually designed to bear a lot of other loads imposed by the building.
myshtern is offline  
Old 07-02-2007, 05:01 PM   #19
The Duke
 
KentWhitten's Avatar
 
Trade: Cabinet Maker
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Portland, Maine
Posts: 10,086

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


Anyone seen Old Faithful Lodge? That sucker goes up a ways. 6 or 7 stories at least.

I think I also heard 3 stories was supposed to be max, but I'm sure there are alternatives to get around it.
KentWhitten is offline  
Old 07-02-2007, 07:54 PM   #20
Priced In
 
JustaFramer's Avatar
 
Trade: Exiled For Life
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lynnwood,WA
Posts: 3,292

Re: How Tall Could You Go?


I have been on 4 and 5 story apartment/condo an 6 story hotel wood framed buildings. They use alot of hold down brackets that go from foundation to the roof. A 6 story was just build in Seattle. I think it is actually like 7 but the first story is all concrete with a post tension deck.

alot of it has to do with height restrictions on max storys.

As for fire rating party walls have a 2 hour (double 5/8's gyp on each side of p wall) burn through these days out here.
JustaFramer is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Big and Tall, help needed Oregon_Rob Decks & Fencing 3 04-09-2007 11:33 PM
6' Tall Privacy Fence using 16"x8"x8" Blocks AtlantaLawn.com Masonry 5 09-25-2006 09:12 PM
2 questions - one code, one structural karma_carpentry Decks & Fencing 5 09-10-2006 02:55 PM
Chuck Norris RYANINMICHIGAN Off Topic (Non Trade) 5 05-11-2006 09:21 PM
Employee Problems Ken@K&R Business 28 02-05-2006 12:08 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?