Double Stud Wall Framing for Passive House

The interior comfort level with double stud is A+, in my experience. Love it.

My son has been building double stud walls for a few years now. Outside wall is 2x4 16” on center and that wall is spray foamed. 2” gap and than inside wall again 2x4 16” OC but of set 8” with exterior wall and that gets Rockwool insulation. Now for a question I have for you. Have you had drywall screw heads start showing up over time? First 3 houses he did, so he came to me and asked way that might be happening. I thought about it for a bit and figured out that the inside stud wall was twisting because nothing on the back side stopping it from twisting. Put blocking half way on wall and next 4 houses and no problems so far

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

Great video, Steve. Thanks for sharing this one

Great content Steve. Are the numbers crunched to see what more cost effective putting added insulation on the outside or as you did in that house. A double studded wall. I like the double studded approach. Wish big red can show some cost comparison.

Puzzled why you'd go to that much effort for a 3" gap when you could add a whole lot more so easily - especially when the common studs aren't even offset from each other, so at every stud you literally only have that 3" gap. Upgrading even a little bit, to say a 6" gap, and having the common studs offset so they're not so close to each other, would give you a much better performance for zero extra effort.

Hello Steven! When you have the opportunity, would you please expand your explanation of the possibility of a double negative of a thicker a 24" double wall in a cold climate. You commented something about making the exterior side of the wall colder and the possibility of greater issues. Your content is greatly appreciated and I have watched all of your videos. Thanks for sharing! Always liked and subscribed... 👍👍👍👍👍

So…where’s the fire stop required in most areas?

Question: Would it make sense to stagger the inner and outer studs, potentially increasing the thermal break from three inches to 6.5 to 8.5 inches, in most stud locations? Or is this effect negated by something else? Great video.

For the recessed windows, are you doing nail on to a 2x that's connected to the sheathing? or are they blockstyle windows connected directly to the sheathing on the inside of the window buck you've designed? ( LOVED THIS VIDEO!!, amazing details!)

Steve, what factors should be considered when choosing between double-stud and staggered-stud?

Staggering the interior framing members so they don't align b right behind those in front of them on the exterior wall will also make the wall more efficient.

Steve, what factors should be considered when choosing between these two 12" double-stud walls: 2x4+5" gap+2x4 OR 2x6+3" gap+2x4?

Hello. Why don't use shift between two wall studs?

I'm building with development permit max 625 sqft. Is the double wall affect sqft ?

Whats inspection say when it comes to electrical? I know fire caulking is only necessary in vertical penetrations but if all that wall was able to breathe??

Great video, thanks! Hey, do you have a favorite type of house building method I.e. wood, metal, ICF, concrete or concrete block etc.?

Love your video! QUESTION: to be clear, is the 3" thermal break filled with cellulose? Also, isn't he true weighted average R-value of the wall significantly reduced by the large window?

It will be quiet inside

That was great coverage on dbl stud walls Steve! And glad you talked about how the "dew point" moves within the wall assembly and having to pay attention to potential condensate. I was wondering your view on offsetting the 2x6's and 2x4's centres (ie by 12")? Effectively that would produce greater depth of insul in the cavity between the two walls (ie., 6-1/2" of insul between the inside face of a 2x6 and the vap barr / drywall, and 8-1/2" of insul from the front face of a 2x4 to the exterior sheathing, respectively). Obviously most applicable on long running walls, but do you think that would add materially to the R-values, rather than simply a consistent 3" thermal break? Worth the bother?